How To Get Rid Of Hyperpigmentation In South Africa

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation isn’t necessarily a condition but a term that describes skin that appears darker. It can:

occur in small patches
cover large areas
affect the entire body

While increased pigmentation usually isn’t harmful, it can be a symptom of another medical condition. Learn about types of hyperpigmentation, causes, and how to treat it.

Types of hyperpigmentation

There are several types of hyperpigmentation, the common ones being melasma, sunspots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Melasma. Melasma is believed to be caused by hormonal changes and may develop during pregnancy. Areas of hyperpigmentation can appear on any area of the body, but they appear most commonly on the stomach and face.
Sunspots. Also called liver spots or solar lentigines, sunspots are common. They’re related to excess sun exposure over time. Generally, they appear as spots on areas exposed to the sun, like the hands and face.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is a result of injury or inflammation to the skin. A common cause of this type is acne.

How To Get Rid Of Hyperpigmentation In South Africa

1. Lightening creams

Lightening creams are over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that work with select ingredients to help decrease pigmentation. Many of these creams are available in stronger prescription forms. They’re usually applied once or twice a day to help lighten the skin over time. Topical treatments for lightening also come in gel form.

Common ingredients found in OTC lightening products include:

licorice extract
N-acetylglucosamine
vitamin B-3 (niacinamide)

Who should try this?

Lightening creams or gels work best for flat spots, such as melasma or age spots. They’re effective for patches of discoloration on most skin types.

OTC products are accessible (and sometimes more affordable) options for hyperpigmentation, but these can take longer than professional treatments.

2. Face acids

Face acids, or skin acids, work by exfoliating, or shedding, the top layer of your skin. Whenever you exfoliate your skin, new skin cells emerge to take the place of the old ones. The process helps even out your skin tone and makes it smoother overall.

Many face acids are available OTC at beauty stores and drugstores. Popular options include:

alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, or tartaric acid
azelaic acid
kojic acid
salicylic acid
vitamin C (in the form of l-ascorbic acid)

Who should try this?

Face acids work well for mild hyperpigmentation on fairer skin tones.

3. Retinoids

Derived from vitamin A, retinoids are among some of the oldest OTC skincare ingredients used. Their small molecular structure allows them to penetrate deep into the skin and treat the layers below your epidermis.

Retinoids can come in either a prescription or OTC formula. However, OTC versions tend to be weaker. If you don’t see any results after a couple of months, talk to your dermatologist about the prescription retinoid tretinoin (Retin-A).

Who should try this?

OTC retinoids may be safe for all skin tones, but you should double-check with your dermatologist if you have darker skin and plan on using these products long term.

It’s also important to note that retinoids are more often used to treat wrinkles than hyperpigmentation. This means that retinoids may not be the best first-line treatment.

4. Chemical peel

A chemical peel uses acids at stronger concentrations to treat the desired area of skin. They reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis. Deeper versions may also penetrate the middle layer of your skin (dermis) to produce more dramatic results.

Although many chemical peels are available OTC, you might consider getting a professional-grade peel at your dermatologist’s office. These are more powerful, and they yield quicker results.

Who should try this?

Chemical peels may work if you have:

age spots
sun damage
melasma
blotchy skin

They also work best for fairer skin tones, and they may provide faster results than face acid products.

5. Laser peel (skin resurfacing)

A laser peel (resurfacing) treatment uses targeted beams of light to reduce hyperpigmentation.

There are two types of lasers: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers are the most intense, and they involve removing layers of your skin. Non-ablative procedures, on the other hand, target the dermis to promote collagen growth and tightening effects.

Ablative lasers are stronger, but they may cause more side effects. Both destroy elements in your skin to ensure that new skin cells grow back tighter and more toned.

Who should try this?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to skin resurfacing. Ablative lasers may work better for people with fair skin. For some people, non-ablative versions may cause the skin to darken instead of lighten. Your dermatologist will work with you to assess your discoloration and overall skin tone to select the best option for your skin.

6. Intense pulse light therapy (IPL)

IPL therapy is a type of non-ablative (fractional) laser treatment. Also known as a photofacial, IPL therapy stimulates collagen growth within the dermis. It usually requires multiple sessions.

IPL is used for overall pigmentation issues, but flat spots especially respond to this treatment. It may also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, spider veins, and enlarged pores.

Who should try this?

According to Emory Healthcare, IPL works best for people with fair skin.

7. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an in-office procedure used to treat hyperpigmentation that affects the epidermis only (superficial scarring).

During the procedure, your dermatologist will use a drill-like handheld tool with a wire brush or other abrasive attachment. The tool is then swiped across your skin to rapidly — but gently — to remove the epidermis. You may need multiple sessions to achieve your ideal result.

Who should try this?

Microdermabrasion works best on superficial scars. Your dermatologist can help you determine whether this treatment is right for you. It also works well for people with fairer skin.

8. Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion also involves the removal of your epidermis, but its effects continue down to part of your dermis.

While dermabrasion is sometimes used to smooth out wrinkles, the procedure has been historically used to address texture concerns. These include:

acne scars
age spots
chickenpox scars
injury scars
sun damage

As with microdermabrasion, your dermatologist will use a drill-like handheld tool with a wire brush or other abrasive attachment. They’ll move the tool across your skin to rapidly — but gently — to remove your entire epidermis and the top part of your dermis.

Who should try this?

Dermabrasion may be a good option if you’re looking to decrease pigmentation at a faster rate than microdermabrasion.

It works best for fairer skin. People with medium skin tones may go on to develop further hyperpigmentation as a result of the procedure. The new patches of hyperpigmentation may lighten after about eight weeks.

How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation

ALWAYS protect exposed skin areas from light by using a medically proven broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen, EVERY DAY!
People whose knuckles are more pigmented than the skin between the knuckles are more likely to develop dark patches after inflammation from any cause – be it trauma, insect bites, infection, etc.
When female hormone (oestrogen and progestogen) levels are high, for example during pregnancy or when taking oral contraceptives, melasma (darker pigmentation) commonly occurs. As sun exposure stimulates more pigmentation, it makes sense to take medication containing these hormones in the evening so that they reach their highest levels in the skin at night, to decrease the chance that they may be contributory factors.
Melasma is a chronic condition and tends to relapse when treatment is interrupted. Treatment should therefore be continuous until the condition lessens, usually only after menopause.
Any new pigmented lesion (mark) or change in an existing pigmented lesion should be referred to a dermatologist for dermatoscopic examination to exclude malignant melanoma, as early diagnosis and treatment gives the best prognosis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the fastest way to remove hyperpigmentation?

In this case, turning to dermatological procedures will work as the fastest way to get rid of hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to rid skin of hyperpigmentation.

Why is my hyperpigmentation not going away?

Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely. If hyperpigmentation is caused by injury, then as the skin heals the discoloration will lessen as melanin is absorbed into the tissue surrounding the injury

Can hyperpigmentation be cured completely?

Hyperpigmentation is often harmless, but people may choose to remove or reduce it. Options include avoiding sun exposure and using removal techniques such as cosmetic treatments, creams, and home remedies. If a person notices other symptoms alongside hyperpigmentation, they should seek advice from a doctor.

How do you fix hyperpigmentation at home?

Pigmentation treatment at home

Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a container.
Apply to your dark patches and leave on two to three minutes.
Rinse using lukewarm water.
Repeat twice daily you achieve the results you desire.

How do dermatologist treat hyperpigmentation?

Dermatologists consider prescription-strength hydroquinone, alone or combined with other lighteners, to be the gold standard for fading dark spots because it slows the production of pigment. “It’s our go-to,” says Dr..

Is vitamin C good for hyperpigmentation?

Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity of an enzyme known as tyrosinase. It’s widely used in dermatology for depigmentation of hyperpigmented spots on the skin.

Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades?

Yes. Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.

How do I know if my hyperpigmentation is permanent?

Hyperpigmentation acne may fade over time, but if the original spots were deep, it may be permanent. Although some topical and surgical therapies can speed up the fading process, it can take several months to years.

Can vitamin C make hyperpigmentation worse?

No, it does not. It may stain your skin but it cannot darken your skin. It is important to know the difference between staining and darkening the skin. Staining is where the product reacts with your dead skin cells and leads to a change in the color of those dead cells.

Will exfoliating remove hyperpigmentation?

Dark spots, hyperpigmentation, melasma, even discoloration left by acne are all forms of excess melanin. Exfoliation helps to reduce the excess melanin by breaking up the pigmented cells and sloughing them off.

Does drinking water help with hyperpigmentation?

The benefits of staying hydrated are too many. Pooja suggests drinking at least 2-3 litres of water daily to fight pigmentation effectively.

Is aloe vera good for hyperpigmentation?

Aloe vera contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been shown to lighten skin and work effectively as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment, according to a 2012 study. To use: Apply pure aloe vera gel to pigmented areas before bedtime. Rinse using warm water the next morning.

Can turmeric remove pigmentation?

Turmeric also helps even out skin tone, and its extract may also help reduce the appearance of acne scars. Studies have shown turmeric to reduce dark spots on the skin—AKA hyperpigmentation. In fact, one study showed that a turmeric-extract cream reduced hyper-pigmentation up to 14 per cent after four weeks of use.

Can lemon remove pigmentation?

Vitamin C rich foods such as lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits and other citrus fruits are natural bleaching agents that help reduce dark spots and pigmentation.

Is there a pill for hyperpigmentation?

L-cysteamine is a topical antioxidant that effectively evens hyperpigmentation. You can get it from some doctors’ offices or online by prescription. Tranexamic acid can be taken as a pill or applied as a topical to improve melasma. It’s an option for people who don’t see improvement with other forms of therapy.

Is there any cream for pigmentation?

Mamaearth Bye Bye Blemishes For Pigmentation, Sun Damage & Spots Correction Cream – 50 Ml (Single Pack) Enriched with natural ingredients, it helps in building collagen for better skin elasticity while reducing pigmentation.

How long does it take for vitamin C to clear hyperpigmentation?

What It Does: This potent antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment in the skin, fading dark spots. When You’ll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.