Hyperpigmentation Treatment

Dark and discolored skin patches or spots on skin are known as hyperpigmentation. When an excess of melanin deposits on some areas of the skin, it leads to patches which are darker than the surrounding skin.

This darkening is usually not related to sun exposure, but it can be a cause, as UV rays increase the melanin, leading to tanned skin. During this process, our body is supposed to regulate the excess production of melanin, but when this does not happen, it results into excess of melanin.

Pregnancy could also cause dark patches, usually on the face, that are known as melasma or chloasma. This happens due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and intake of birth control pills.

Sometimes, dark spots on our skin are just inherited, so there is no treatment available for them. If you are one of those having dark patches on skin, then here are some of the best hyperpigmentation treatments, home remedies, and cosmetic procedures that you can opt for to get rid of this problem.

It has antioxidants and works effectively in skin lightening. You can mix it with turmeric powder to make a paste and apply on affected skin. You can try a mixture of lemon juice and honey.

Raw potato juice is another skin whitener that works wonders. You can apply it regularly over the affected areas of your skin to cure the problem naturally.

Avocado, which is a rich source of vitamin E, can also help in treating this condition. You need to take a ripe avocado, peel it, and mash it. Apply the juice over the affected areas once in a day regularly to see the results.

Chop an onion in small pieces and blend it in a blender. Collect the contents in a muslin cloth and squeeze to get the juice. Now, add apple cider vinegar to this juice. Apply this over the affected areas and wash off after 20 minutes.

Apart from the above mentioned treatment options that you can try at home, you can also opt for cosmetic procedures, some of which are listed here.

This is one of the most popular ways to remove dark spots and patches. It helps remove the dead skin, and clear-up the dirt and clogged pores, along with blackheads and whiteheads. It also helps cure discoloration, giving your skin a fresh look. There are three types of peels, viz., superficial peel, medium peel, and deep peel.

A superficial chemical peel has glycolic, salicylic, or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) used for minor discoloration of the skin. Medium peels usually contain trichloroacetic acid. Phenol, which is one of the most effective chemicals, is used in deep peel. Remember that you'll have to follow a lot of precautions and care during the recovery period post peel.

It is primarily an exfoliating treatment used for cleansing your skin. Along with fighting skin discoloration, microdermabrasion also helps reduce age spots and minor scars on the skin, giving you a fresh and bright look.

Laser is known to be one of the most effective treatments in treating this skin condition. An intense laser beam is used to target the hyperpigmented skin areas. The laser beam helps destroy the excess pigmentation and gives you a uniform skin tone. This is one of the highly opted cosmetic procedures.

In case of deep scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a laser skin resurfacing treatment needs to be used. This is also known as carbon dioxide resurfacing. The laser beams penetrate deep into the skin and remove multiple layers of skin surface, hence the recovery period is longer than the regular laser treatment.

Before you opt for any of the aforementioned treatment options, it is essential to consult a good dermatologist. He/she will be able to tell you about the best treatment for your skin type. Moreover, trying the home remedies is the safest option, though it will take longer to give you the results.