What Is Hyperpigmentation? 

Can you believe that according to a Research 2024, hyperpigmentation is the third most common issue addressed by dermatologists? Hyperpigmentation refers to the skin condition that causes dark spots or patches to appear on the skin. It’s more common than you think, and can even occur as a result of every sun damage, inflammation, or certain deficiencies. The affected area produces excessive amounts of melanin, making it look darker than before. This leads to uneven skin tone, which is one of the major concerns among people of different age groups. 

Although it’s harmless, the appearance can be distressing for the patients. Hyperpigmentation treatments vary widely, including topical hyperpigmentation treatments and dermatological procedures. 

Understanding The Root Causes Before Hyperpigmentation Treatment 

Before getting into hyperpigmentation treatment, knowing the primary causes is the real deal. This helps you get rid of the most important factors contributing to causing more hyperpigmentation. Before planning on a treatment session, let’s ensure you’re cutting down the aspects causing it in the first place. 

1. Sun Exposure 

Heading into the sun is almost unavoidable for most people. Sadly, the Sun radiations are the most harming factor that leads to hyperpigmentation in the skin. The UV rays in the sunlight cause hyperpigmentation. As soon as they make their way to your skin, they cause your skin cells to produce more melanin. Melanin production is basically a natural protective mechanism that takes place to protect you against the Sun. Melanin makes your skin appear darker, more pigmented. 

You may get your skin tanned due to Sun. In some cases, spots known as Sun spots appear on the affected skin. 

Do you know what’s worse? It’s not only about the longer exposures. Even short exposures can cause damage when accumulated for longer periods. If you’re already suffering from hyperpigmentation, it may get worse. In short, unprotected skin is always at the risk of getting damaged. This is exactly why skincare professionals highly recommend using sunscreen religiously. 

2. Inflammation or Skin Injury

Sometimes inflammation also leads to hyperpigmentation. It’s surprising that it’s in fact the skin’s healing mechanism that leads to hyperpigmentation. As your skin continues to repair itself after going through the trauma caused by inflammation, melanin is overproduced. Inflammation is caused by many skin conditions. Some common ones are eczema, acne, psoriasis, and others. Even sometimes hair removal processes like waxing can cause hyperpigmentation if not done well. If you’re not getting professional help, you may hurt your skin. 

Having those stubborn dark spots as the aftermath of a dreadful acne breakout can be worse than a heartbreak. 

3. Hormonal Changes

If you’re suffering from melasma, you’re not alone in it. It is a specific kind of hyperpigmentation that you’re facing due to hormonal fluctuations. Sometimes these hormonal fluctuations are associated with pregnancy, birth control, or hormone therapy. Malasma typically looks like some black blotches on your face. They’re mostly seen around on your forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. Seeing these signs gives you a “heads up” about melasma. 

 Your condition could be a result of having high progesterone and estrogen levels during your pregnancy. This typically induces the melanin production, ultimately causing hyperpigmentation. If you’re having any hormonal abnormalities, you’re more likely to develop this condition. Sadly, it can affect men too. If your melasma was associated with your pregnancy symptoms, it would usually go away after childbirth or after hormonal medication is stopped. However, at times, things get rough, and the condition requires proper hyperpigmentation treatment. 

4. Medications

Sometimes you unintentionally damage your skin by using certain medications. Hyperpigmentation is the negative side effect of some drugs. You should at all times be cautious about using them. Always use them when it’s important and unavoidable. Some drugs that you should be careful about are antimalarial medicines, chemotherapeutic drugs, and antibiotics (like tetracycline). If you’re lucky enough, your hyperpigmentation would go away on its own. But that’s rare, and you would generally need some hyperpigmentation treatment. 

Although the exact mechanism underlying this is unknown, it is thought that chemotherapy medications can increase the production of melanin or induce skin inflammation, which can result in skin darkening. 

5. Aging

Your skin goes through several changes as you age. One of the negative things that happen to your skin is that the melanin distribution is disturbed. As you age, seeing dark spots and blemishes is considered normal. If you want to age gracefully, you always have the option to get hyperpigmentation treatment and get everything to appear youthful once again. You’re more likely to get hyperpigmentation if you’re negligent about applying sunscreen. 

If you’re wondering what makes your skin appear uneven, it’s Because of the melanocytes. These are cells that produce melanin. They become a lot more active and then they cluster up together as your skin ages. Combating these dark patches and hyperpigmentation can be difficult especially if you’re not sure of the right way. Having the right hyperpigmentation treatment in hand, a glowing even tone is achievable. 

6. Chemical Exposure

Social media skin specialists are currently obsessed with exfoliating agents and suggesting different chemicals for hyperpigmentation treatment. Following the top trends, many people follow them mindlessly. This may lead to damage and then hyperpigmentation. 

Sometimes the chemicals can cause a lot of damage. They can damage the skin barrier and also make you more vulnerable to Sun damage. Together, this makes an ideal recipe for disaster. 

7. Endocrine Disorders

Overall hyperpigmentation can also be caused by any endocrine diseases like the most popular Addison’s disease. Although it’s one of the least prevalent conditions, it may occur when the adrenal glands lack cortisol. They stop producing enough cortisol and other chemicals. This darkens your skin, particularly in places exposed to the sun or prone to friction, including the elbows, knees, knuckles, and scars, is one of the early indicators of Addison’s disease. Treating these diseases can be a huge step to hyperpigmentation treatment. 

8. Vitamin Deficiency

Hyperpigmentation has been associated with vitamin deficiencies, namely a shortage of vitamin B12. Uneven pigmentation in certain people is thought to result from vitamin B12 deficiency’s impact on melanin formation, though the precise mechanism is yet unclear. By taking supplements or making dietary adjustments to address the deficiency, skin health can be enhanced and dark patches brought on by this condition may become less noticeable. take supplements during hyperpigmentation treatment. 

9. Friction

If you’re a fan of tightly fitted clothing, you’re more likely to get hyperpigmentation on the skin. Your gorgeous-looking tight clothes are not doing you any favor! They repeatedly rub in certain areas like armpits, thighs, and other private parts. Resultantly, you start noticing darker appearance. 

If you’ve already started to see darker areas, along with good hyperpigmentation treatment, you should pick looser clothing. This will prevent future damage. Get your hands on the best moisturizers as they are going to be your best friends to build up a good skin barrier. They can ideally help with soothing your skin while also reducing friction. 

Hyperpigmentation Signs

Here are some signs, which indicate that you need hyperpigmentation treatment as soon as possible. 

• If you’re seeing any brown patches on the skin, it’s due to hyperpigmentation. Remember that seeing dark spots on the skin is not normal. 
• Uneven skin tone can be a sign of hyperpigmentation. 
• As soon as you see sun spots on your skin, get some hyperpigmentation treatment. These spots generally appear on parts of the body that are generally exposed in the Sun. 

Learning About Hyperpigmentation Treatment

There are several forms of hyperpigmentation treatments around the world. Knowing the right one for yourself is all that helps through the process. 

1. Topical Hyperpigmentation Treatments

The first line of defense? Undoubtedly that position goes to the topical hyperpigmentation treatments. Everybody likes to try those over-the-counter creams first. The serums, lotions, and other products on the market are pretty easy to use. All you have to do is apply them all over your skin. These products can help with mild hyperpigmentation. Now the point is that they are not always that effective and they take really long to show any visible differences. 

Some popular treatments are here: 

• Hydroquinone: This chemical works by inhibiting the enzyme called tyrosinase in your skin. This enzyme helps with melanin production. Although they can be effective, they shouldn’t be used for long periods. Short term hyperpigmentation treatments can ideally be done. 
•  Retinoids: they increase your cell turnover and help shedding the older skin cells, replacing them with new ones. This gradually helps you get rid of hyperpigmentation. That is the reason for its huge success that it’s a trending hyperpigmentation treatment right now. 

Some others are niacinamide,  acid, and vitamin C. 

2. Chemical Peels 

You must have heard of this hyperpigmentation treatment going viral across the social media platforms. Does it really work? Chemical peels are considered to be more effective than topical hyperpigmentation treatment. They can gradually help you achieve the results if you’re patient enough. There are other factors to consider like the overall concentration and type. 

• Glycolic Acid: One of the most popular alpha hydroxy acids. It has a really small molecule so it can deeply penetrate into your skin. It ideally exfoliates the upper surface of the skin that has hyperpigmentation. This acts as an effective hyperpigmentation treatment. It doesn’t only treat hyperpigmentation but also improves texture. 
• Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid can be your go-to hyperpigmentation treatment. Beta hydroxy acids are all packed with amazing anti-inflammatory properties. It can easily make its way into your skin’s deeper layers. 
• Lactic Acid: Lactic Acid is a mild AHA that effectively exfoliates and it is ideally good for you if you have sensitive skin in any way. It will gently exfoliate and offer an effective hyperpigmentation treatment. 

3. Laser Treatments

Laser treatments are the most popular and effective means of hyperpigmentation treatment. No wonder why everyone’s opting for laser therapies! They’re effective and painless. The laser hyperpigmentation treatment typically uses light energy and helps directly target the hyperpigmented areas. The laser breaks down the cells having hyperpigmentation, and doesn’t cause any impact on the other skin cells around the area.

You can consult with the professionals and pick the type of laser treatment that would best suit your condition. There are many laser hyperpigmentation treatments. 

• Fractional Lasers: Fractional lasers do not affect the surrounding tissue. It only focuses on certain regions that are actually affected by hyperpigmentation. This hyperpigmentation treatment method is thought to be quite effective. If you’re keen about the actual mechanism through which it works, here’s how; the laser used helps get micro-tears on your skin. This sets off the body’s self-healing mechanism and encourages the formation of collagen. After this whole process you see beautiful, plump, and healthy skin cells taking over and replacing the pigmented skin cells. Fractional lasers are particularly helpful in the treatment of UV damage, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and melasma.
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): IPL works by targeting the melanocytes in your skin using nothing but light energy. Do you know that it’s melanin which is responsible for making a part of skin more pigmented. It targets your skin cells by incorporating different wavelengths. These wavelengths absorb pigments differently. 

As soon as the pigments undergo degradation, the hyperpigmentation treatment is effectively done. Sunspots, freckles, and other problems with superficial pigmentation can be effectively treated with IPL. People seeking a less aggressive therapy frequently choose it because it is a non-invasive procedure with less recovery time.

• Q-Switched Lasers: Q-switched lasers help degrade pigment and break it into little pieces that the body may excrete by using extremely brief, high-intensity light pulses. They work well to cure pigmentation in both superficial and deeper forms, including melasma and other difficult-to-treat diseases. Q-switched lasers are more accurate and unlikely to harm nearby skin.

4. Microdermabrasion

Are you looking for a non-invasive technique for your hyperpigmentation treatment? The popular microdermabrasion process is all you need. It exfoliates the skin and ensures to reduce the appearance of  hyperpigmentation. The outermost layer of skin is gently removed using a handheld instrument that sprays small crystals or a wand with a diamond tip. Over time, the technique helps to decrease pigmentation by stimulating the development of new skin cells. 

Since microdermabrasion mainly targets the skin’s outermost layer. This is a popular choice among those having  mild to moderate pigmentation problems. It is a rapid, safe procedure that requires little to no recovery time. Usually lasting thirty minutes, multiple treatments may be required to get the desired effects.

The fact that microdermabrasion works on all skin kinds and tones is one of its key benefits. But, as it is a more surface-level procedure, deeper pigmentation problems like melasma might not respond as well to it.

5. Micro needling

Micro needling is the go-to hyperpigmentation treatment these days. It’s called collagen induction therapy too. There’s a special micro needling device used for the process. This device works by an intricate design having fine needles. There are microneedles. The process by which these micro-needles form tiny punctures doesn’t hurt. These micro-needles cause tiny injuries on the skin. This may freak you out but in fact this process simply triggers and activates your skin healing process. Everything gets more effective and your skin starts revving itself in no time. 

Thanks to the process that you have greater elasticity and collagen production in your skin. Being an effective hyperpigmentation treatment, it also reduces scarring in the skin. 

• This process makes the topical treatments even more effective. The skin’s barrier is activated to an amazing level. You can enjoy greater efficacy by your serums and creams. 
• Getting your micro needling process is more effective and a lot safer if you’re considering professional therapy. Services by Revitalize London can be quite promising as your hyperpigmentation treatment. 
• Even if you’re considering chemical peels and other potential treatments, combining micro needling alongside never goes wrong. It just makes everything work even better than before. You’ll need a few sessions before seeing any visible benefits. The redness heals on its own within a couple of days, and leaves your skin a lot better than before. The best part? It’s not as painful as it may sound! 

Why Choose Revitalize London For Hyperpigmentation Treatment?

Having to hide your dark spots and patches with makeup can be frustrating at times. Having the joy of being able to cherish your natural beauty and skin is an unparalleled feeling, and Revitalize London is here to help with that. Revitalize London helps you achieve your dream glass skin. Now you’ll only wear makeup to celebrate your stunning features, and not because you want to hide something. 

Our expert team assists you through your hyperpigmentation treatment. Enjoy high-end dermatological facilities at their best prices. 

• Get your hyperpigmentation treatment done through advanced technology and incredible equipment. 
• You’re unique, and so is your skin! Our team realizes this and aims to provide you a personalized experience for each client. 
• We boast matchless expertise in the art of dermatological hyperpigmentation treatments. 
• Our commitment to satisfying our patients makes us stand out. We don’t mind going out of the way to make our patients happy about their decision to pick us. 

Hyperpigmentation Treatment: Summing Up 

Taking care of yourself and finding the right treatments is an unpopular form of Self love. If you’re struggling with dark patches on any part of your skin, choose Revitalize London to transform your skin. Revitalize London makes the best spot for hyperpigmentation treatment.