How do I treat Hyperpigmentation?

First and foremost.....

What is Hyperpigmentation?

According to our skin speciailist hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of melanin in the skin by melanocytes, resulting in dark spots, age spots, or uneven skin tone. The over production of melanin in the skin can be triggered by a number of different things like hormonal changes (pregnancy), sun exposure, acne, or harsh products and/or chemicals.

Why does it matter?

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that, while it occurs in every skin tone, is one of the top skincare concerns for people of colour

So what should you do?

• Sunscreen is non-negotiable

Adding sunscreen to your daily skincare routine can make all the difference. The sun is the main culprit of age spots and burns, and can actually worsen current dark spots (and unevenness). You can't talk about hyperpigmentation without talking about sun protection. So... make sure to reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. No matter your age, NOW is the time to start incorporating SPF into your daily routine. Your skin will thank you for it.

• Ingredients to incorporate into your skincare

When looking for skincare to help combat hyperpigmentation there are three key things you want to do 1) brighten 2) soothe, and 3) exfoliate.

For brightening benefits, you want to focus on products that even the skin tone and restores the skin’s natural luminosity. This is where must-have ingredients like niacinamide, licorice, kojic acid, mulberry, and turmeric are key. Vitamin C is another powerful topical antioxidant that helps block free radicals from causing oxidative damage to the skin (which can lead to wrinkles and a dull complexion).

For soothing benefits, skin experts have indicated the use of anti-inflammatory agents that assist with bringing down redness, soothing irritation, and minimising itching and swelling of the skin. This is because sensitivity, redness and irritation can occur when the skin’s barrier function is impaired due to internal or external factors. No matter what else is happening on the skin (breakouts, congestion, pigmentation, signs of aging), inflammation must be treated first so the skin will tolerate other activities and treatment techniques. Ingredients to consider to soothe the skin are avena sativa, lavender, chamomile, arnica, and calendula.

For exfoliating benefits, the goal is to stimulate cell renewal for more refreshed looking complexion (say bye to dead skin cells). If exfoliation is combined with products that reduce hyperpigmentation, the results will be even more rapid. Lean into ingredients like lactic acid, retinol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and enzymes—but don't go overboard.

Remember, exfoliation helps bring new, fresh skin to the surface. If you are constantly removing old skin cells, your skin doesn’t have time to protect and heal itself which can lead to pigmentation. Be sure to strike a delicate balance that’s effective, but not overtly aggressive.

And, of course, don’t slack on your SPF application.