How to Get Rid of Dark Spots Hyperpigmentation? Here Is All You Need to Know!

Melanin is a natural skin pigment. It is responsible for the color of our natural skin, eyes, and hair.

It plays a significant part in protecting us form elements like the sun and UV rays.

What happens if you don't have enough or over production of melanin in your body?

These can be significantly life altering conditions that affect the individuals wellbeing.

Melanin is a UV ray absorption pigment which is essential for the protection of the outer layer of the skin known as the epidermal cells.

Although melanin is essential, sometimes it's overproduction leads to severe skin problems. Yes, the overproduction of melanin leads to hyperpigmentation which are unwanted dark spots. So, if you're worried about your dark skin spots caused by Hyperpigmentation, you are at the right place.

In this post I am going to talk about dark spot hyperpigmentation in a very simple easy to digest way. then offer you different treatment options for a range of budgets. Just read on!

What is Dark Spots Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is the skin patches on your face that are darker than your natural skin tone. The leading cause of Hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of brown skin pigment called melanin. Too much melanin production changes skin color, making natural skin uneven and patchy, ultimately causing what seem like permanent dark spots.

Top 6 Causes of Dark Spots

The overproduction of melanin is the main cause of dark spots that we know! But what causes this overproduction of melanin?

1. Sun Damage

Melanin defends skin against UV rays coming from the sun. Whenever skin is exposed to the sun, the melanocyte reacts by releasing melanin.

Melanin plays a significant role as a natural sunscreen to protect skin by absorbing UV ray's energy and redistribute it. The darker your skin the more sun protection you have naturally.

Although it is beneficial, sometimes more sun exposure triggers the production of too much melanin. That leads to dark patches caused by Hyperpigmentation to appear on the skin.

2. Ageing

Ageing is another factor behind the dark spots especially on hands.

Funny enough another name of dark spots is age spots or liver spots. This usually appears on individuals over the age of 55, these are caused by the production of melanin and long term exposure sun it doesn't help that as we age skin becomes thinner which helps to emphasizing the appearance of dark spots.

3. Inflammation

This is caused by many different reason acne breakouts, wounds, once any injury occurs healing immediately begins, this triggers inflammation in a bid to protect the affected area, this attempt to protect itself leads to healing as the inflammation subsides it leaves an area of dark skin excess melanin caused by the the process of healing , which darkens the skin.

How dark the scar will be depends on skin type and the nature of the injury.

4. Medication Side Effects

Sometimes the dark spot is caused by medical treatment with some drugs. Like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tetracyclines and psychotropic drugs leading to dark spot hyperpigmentation.

Discuss this with your Doctor.

5. Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes cause an imbalance that results in the over production of melanin. conditions such as pregnancy, can cause melasma due etc.

Possibly creating dark patches on the nose, cheeks, jawline, forehead, or chin also known as "mask of pregnancy" or "chloasma." At times these patches remain till the end of pregnancy, and once the hormones balance is restored the dark patches disappear in the unlucky few the remain scared for life without intervention.

6. Use of Chemical Products

Unfortunately, this still happens to this day (skin lightening)

Due to the misconception that lighter skin is better in some communities, It is trending to lighten the skin tone; for this reason, people treat their skin with harmful cosmetic products. The chemical nature of the products can irritate the skin, causing permanent damage and irreversible side effects. Any skin lightening procedure should be done under strict medical supervision if it is necessary to have.

Types of Hyperpigmentation and Symptoms

The main symptom of Hyperpigmentation which is an area of much darker skin than one's actual skin tone this could be a spot or patch.

While the other symptoms might depend upon the area affected

The main symptoms include

1. Melasma

Hyperpigmentation caused by hormonal change in pregnancy, the patches can be on any part of the body but most likely appear on the stomach and face.

Symptoms

Dark brown skin patches that are symmetrical, appear on the forehead, chin, cheeks, and bridge of the nose.

Risk Factors

a. If someone has a relative with a history of melasma , their chance of getting it increases by 40%.

b. Use of psychotropic drugs like anxiolytic drugs and antidepressants.

c. Post-menopausal women maybe at high risk of developing melasma , due to hormone replacement therapy.

2. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is a type of hyperpigmentation resulting from inflammation due to injury caused by acne or breakouts, or even a cut or graze can lead to an area of darker than normal skin.

Symptoms

a. Pigmentation appears around the area of inflammation

b. The lesions are usually black or light brown.

c. Sun exposure darkens the patches further.

Risk Factor

1. Darker skin tones are more at risk of developing significant hyperpigmentation.

2. Excessive exposure to UV rays increases both risk ad symptoms .

3. If one suffers from eczema, psoriasis, and acne these are inflammatory conditions that can exacerbate

hyperpigmentation.

3. Sunspots

Excessive exposure of skin to the sun causes Sunspots. The main area that affected by sunspots also known as liver spots are hands, face and arms.

Symptoms

Dermatologists use the ABCDE strategy to diagnose Sunspots.

1. A – Asymmetry nature of the dark spot.

2. B – "Border" is it spreading or is notched

3. C – To check the coloration

4. D – Diameter of the spot

5. E – is it evolving nature or not?

Risk Factor

1. Not using sun protection, such as sunscreen hats and sun protecting clothes or sunglasses with uv protection.

2. Light to medium skin tone tend to highlight sunspots more and can be at increased risk of having liver spots on their skin. However, darker skin tone can also develop age spots as risk increases with age and exposure to the elements.

Dark Spots can possibly affect confidence

Dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation are not harmful or life threatening but can in some instances, affect the individuals confidence, depending on their view of them.

Depending on the industry one works this could impact opportunities though it shouldn't.

It's completely up to you weather you want to do something about your hyperpigmentation or not.

I always say love yourself just as you are, then anything else will just be icing to the cake.

Can You Cure Your Skin Dark Spots?

Although dark spots on skin have no side effects and require no treatment per say, beauty-conscious people are interested in removing the spots for cosmetic reasons. Dermatologists offer the use of some creams or other procedures to lighten or remove the dark spots.

Procedures can be expensive even though they are the fastest way to get rid of dark spots.

If you are on a budget worry not we've got you, remember the best treatment option depend upon the cause, symptoms, nature, size, and body area of location.

information provided below should not replace medical advice.

9 Must-Try Home Remedies to Remove Dark Spots

So you can't afford a dermatologist as yet and want to brighten your skin using natural home remedies? Here are some products in your kitchen cupboard that might just help you to treat dark spots hyperpigmentation.

Always patch test in th crook of the arm or behind your ears.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar is Best

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar tends to lighten pigmentation.

How to apply?

1. First, mix an equal amount of apple cider vinegar and water.

2. Apply using an organic cotton pad on dark patches area and leave for 3 minutes.

3. Clean with lukewarm water, use twice daily.

II. Red Onion

Red onion extract scientifically known as Allium cepa can help to brighten dark skin patches effectively.

How to apply?

1. You could use readily available formulations that creams or serums that contain red onion extracts such as Venn skincare age reversing concentrate .

2. You could also , use the onion juice using a by the cotton pad directly on affected areas twice a day.

III. Green Tea Extract

Green tea is high in antioxidants that are proven effective as depigmentation agents. Why not try to apply used green tea bags on the skin.

How to apply?

1. Steep a bag of green tea in warm water.

2. Please keep it for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Remove the bag and let cool it.

4. Then rub the bag on dark patches for depigmentation.

IV. Apply Tomato Paste

Tomato paste has an abundance of lycopene that protects skin from damage preferably fresh organic tomato.

How to use it?

1. Consuming tomato paste by eating can be effective.

2. Also, you can use tomato paste by directly applying it to the skin gently rubbing on the affected skin natural remedies take longer but I can attest that this one has worked for me.

V. Use Aloe vera

The holy grail of skincare ingredients Aloe vera, it hydrates now its being tasked to be a natural depigmentation compound and its been proven to work.

How to Apply?

1. Apply pure aloe vera gel on the skin as a mask leave on for 5 -10 minutes.

2. Wash with warm water.

3. Repeat daily for quicker results.

VI. Black tea water

Black tea leaves also work as a dark spot treatment at home remedy.

Consistent use of black tea leaf for four weeks should have your jaw dropping at the results.

How to use it?

1. Add one tbsp of fresh black tea leavoes in boiling water.

2. Let it brew when the leaves start to change colour strain the tea leaves out .

3. let it cool down, dip your cotton pads into the water apply to areas of Hyperpigmentation.

VII. Don’t Forget the Milk

Milk has lactic acid that works effectively against acne and dark spots. The direct application of milk can help to lighten dark spots.

How to use it?

1. Soak a cotton pad in Milk, buttermilk, and even sour milk.

2. Rub it on darkening skin area 2 times a day.

3. Consistent use daily gives the best results result.

VIII. Potatoes Can Do Wonders

Potatoes can be a lightening effect on dark patches using a raw cut in half potato is an easy way to get rid of dark spots.

Simply wash the potato clean, cut it in half and apply the freshly cut piece to affected area.

Continue daily until desired results are achieved.

You could also

How to use this remedy?

1. Take honey and mix with grate potato.

2. Apply it for 15 minutes and then rinse with water.

IX. Try Yogurt

Yogurt has lactic acid that is AHA, which improves discoloration and age spots.

How to use

1. You can apply yogurt alone or mix it with honey.

2. Mixing with honey becomes more effective due to antibacterial and great for acne-prone complexions.

Let me know if you have tried this at home.

11 Medically Approved Treatments to Get Rid of Dark Spots

Apart from home remedies, there are some medical treatments to get rid of dark spot caused by hyperpigmentation. These are helpful to treat the topmost layer of skin because the pigment is located at the base of the epidermis.

1. Dermabrasion

A procedure to exfoliate the affected skin layer reducing it using a rapidly rotating an abrasive yet gentle enough for skin tool. This procedure encourages skin resurfacing helping the affected area to be more even in complexion.

It may cause temporary redness, scabbing and swelling under the right condition these side effects would be limited and controlled giving you the results you want.

2. Laser Treatment With Pulsed Light

Dermatologist might prescribe laser treatment to remove dark spots. The intense pulse light laser is fast becoming a standard procedure for many skin concerns, it is said to break down the dark spot with no other side effect to surrounding skin, by just targeting affected skin with high concentration of melanin.

Other people use LED mask at home, these devices also claim to help too with different skin issues including dark spots.

3. Microdermabrasion

The outer layer of skin is removed by using a particular device in the microdermabrasion process.

The new collagen growth promoted that have no dark spots.

So while microdermabrasion only removes dead or dying skin, dermabrasion goes deeper and removes layers of the skin that are still viable (alive). ... It is of greater benefit to patients dealing with more severe skin issues (eg. intense pigmentation, acne scarring, or deeper wrinkles) according to Peterson MD

4. Chemical peels

The mixture of chemicals in the form of a solution applied to the skin surface in order to to peel off a surface layer of the skin to reveal the more youthful layer that is underneath.

They are plenty of at home chemical peels that can be found on the market, some gentle enough for everyday use.

Some are only recommend only for professional use as the are of high strength and need to be monitored by a trained eye to avoid burns.

these chemical peels are suppose to lighten the dark spots eventually making he fade leaving an even complexion.

6. Medications with bleaching creams

The use of bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid applied to areas with significant dark spots.

This is usually done under dermatology supervision for a limited time until the required results are found.

We don't encourage use of bleaching agents at home without the supervision of a medical expert.

They are plenty of natural remedies that are helpful in skin brightening, with no significant side effects that can be tried at home.

Always do your research before attempting any DIY skincare.

6. Cryotherapy

this treatment is used in the medical field to treat and remove abnormal tissue, using extreme cold to freeze and destroy the abnormal tissue.

Usually it is a liquid in the form of nitrogen applied on the spot patches that freeze them. It helps remove the affected skin by freezing it and killing off any active skin cells.

This treatment has been proven more effective for Hypopigmentation which is the opposite of hyperpigmentation according to my research.

7. Precautions to prevent dark spots

Ever head of the statement prevention is better than cure?

This is also true for hyperpigmentation, It is easy to prevent skin from Hyperpigmentation than to get treatment.

So, let's look at some tips that will help you prevent hyperpigmentation and lower the risk of dark spots in the first place.

8. Treat Inflammation

Inflammation is another culprit in inducing dark spots. So, try to figure out what causes this for you and avoid it by change habits. Incases where you just can't help it like acne and breakouts avoid the urge to squeeze the pimple you will definitely scar amplifying your even complexion issue.

9. Shield From The Sun

We all know this by now, or I assume you do the sun is an easy and fast way to get Hyperpigmentation.

The UV rays from the sun boosts the secretion of melanocytes and the conversion of melanin. So the best way is to shade itself from sun exposure. Try to wear outdoor hats, pick an umbrella, and use sunscreen to reduce this risk factors.

10. Avoid other forms of Heat

UV rays boost melanin production, so does exposure to heat yes you heard that right if you have ever stayed too long close to a fire, on a winter night you will know what I mean. Try to keep the skin away from extreme temperatures, limit the heat exposure activities especially while undergoing hyperpigmentation treatment.

11. Intake of Vitamin C

Vitamin C can be helpful, though a well balanced diet is not to be neglected either, it is recommended to increase antioxidant intake in your daily routine, so as to help the body fight free radicals.

Who knows since vitamin C helps topically with pigmented skin; taking consuming it orally might just help too, what we know for sure is, it will benefit your overall health.

When to Consult a Dermatologist?

Most of the time, there are misperceptions about dark spots. Although dark spots are not harmful, it might be challenging to differentiate between dark spots and skin changes like melanoma skin cancer.

So if you find bleeding, tingles, itches, change in color, or size of spots appears suddenly, then you must consult your skin specialist doctor.

Final Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post clears your any misconceptions about Hyperpigmentation, its type, precisions, and treatments. and, ultimately, this guide helps you to get rid of dark spot hyperpigmentation at home.

Are you experiencing unwanted dark patches (hyperpigmentation) please share your experience with me in the comment section below, if you managed to get rid of it do share too.

This information is not to be used as medical advice please do your research or consult a certified profession with any skin concerns you might have.