Hyperpigmentation is the medical term that refers to numerous types of skin discoloration, including age spots, freckles, melasma and the dark marks left behind after an injury to the skin, such as a burn or healed acne lesion. The cause of hyperpigmentation is excess melanin, which presents as small spots or larger patches that are noticeably darker compared to your surrounding skin. Hyperpigmentation may be displeasing from a cosmetic standpoint, but it's usually not harmful to your health, states the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, or AOCD. Hyperpigmentation, which can affect any skin tone, is best prevented rather than treated. However, if you can't get rid of dark patches on your own, your dermatologist can offer better treatment options.
Step 1
Smooth on the sunscreen every day of the year -- even on overcast days. Hyperpigmentation can be prevented and decreased simply by protecting your skin against the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays, which make dark spots and patches even more pronounced. Choose a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, suggests the AOCD. When it comes to your product's sun protection factor, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you select a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Step 2
Reduce or eliminate your exposure to the sun. The sun's rays peak between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoid direct sun exposure during this window of time. In addition to applying sunscreen, give your skin double-protection by wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs. Toss on a wide-brimmed hat that fully shades your face. And remember that the UV rays your skin is exposed to in a tanning bed are just as harmful as the sun's.
Step 3
Use skin-lightening creams carefully. Most skin-lightening creams used to eliminate hyperpigmentation contain 2-percent hydroquinone, which lightens the skin over a long period of use. While hydroquinone-based fading creams may be beneficial, they can irritate your skin and may not be appropriate for darker skin tones. Other ingredients that may be found in fading creams include deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid and kojic acid, MayoClinic.com reports. Your results using these fading creams can vary, depending on the type of hyperpigmentation you're treating and how frequently you use your skin-lightening product. It can be several weeks -- or even months -- before you begin to see noticeable results.
Step 4
Take your problem to a professional. Since problem pigmentation occurs deep in your skin at the base of your epidermis, doctors can prescribe stronger topical treatments for hyperpigmentation that may involve using more than just one type of cream, the AOCD states. More stubborn cases of hyperpigmentation may warrant cosmetic treatments, such as a series of laser treatments or chemical peels.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Skin lightening cream with hydroquinone, deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid or kojic acid
References
- American Oesteopathic College of Dermatology: Hyperpigmentation
- MayoClinic.com: Age Spots
- American Academy of Dermatology: Age Spots
- The Patient's Guide: Age Spots: Age Spot Cream and Topical Products
- American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist Shed Light on Common Pigmentation Problems
- American Academy of Dermatology: Melasma
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