The path towards bright, beautiful, and even skin isn’t easy. Even if you feel like you’re doing everything right, you may have encountered troublesome dark patches or uneven tones that seem to appear out of nowhere.
Hyperpigmentation is a frustrating issue that often feels incomprehensible. Whether it’s a stubborn sunspot or a mysterious dark patch, this condition is a common source of concern and self-consciousness for many individuals.
Fortunately, it’s not something that you need to be stuck with forever. Below we’ll be exploring why hyperpigmentation happens, and most importantly, what you can do to prevent and treat it effectively. Read on to make your skincare dreams come true!
Causes of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is described as a skin condition that makes certain areas of the skin appear darker than others. It can be found on many different areas of the body, from the face to the armpits or the torso.
Generally speaking, hyperpigmentation occurs due to an excess melanin production, the pigment that colors the skin. This is what causes the dark spots tied to hyperpigmentation.
It can be brought on by several factors, but these are some of the most common:
- Excessive sun exposure
- Hormonal imbalances and pregnancy
- The use of certain medications
- Certain types of hair removal
Some of these causes are unavoidable, but you can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation with the right treatments and preventative measures.
How To Treat Hyperpigmentation
It’s best to visit a dermatologist if you want to discover the root cause of your hyperpigmentation. They can provide you with topical prescription medications that will bring balance to your skin tone.
Remember, any treatment takes time so don’t get discouraged if your hyperpigmentation doesn’t disappear immediately. It’s completely normal for topical treatments to work over the course of a few weeks.
How To Prevent Hyperpigmentation
To keep hyperpigmentation at bay from the start, there are several measures you can take on your own.
- Use the right skincare. Look for skin brightening formulas and/or ingredients that are known to lighten dark spots and promote an even skin tone. These include kojic acid, retinoids, vitamin C, glycolic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and glutathione. You can incorporate these ingredients into your general cleansing and moisturizing products, or use more targeted spot treatments. Koji White’s comprehensive skin brightening range will help you achieve your most beautiful and even skin yet!
- Don’t forget SPF. The sun triggers melanin production, even on cloudy and cold days, so make sure you’re protecting your skin with daily SPF. Look for broad spectrum products with an SPF range from 30-50 to ensure your skin is safe from harmful UV rays.
- Cover your skin as much as possible. Wear long sleeves and sun-blocking accessories when you can, and try to stay in the shade during the late morning and afternoon when the sun is at its strongest.
- Enhance your skincare routine with a weekly (or bi-weekly) scrub. Exfoliation gently removes dead skin cells and breaks up clusters of melanin pigmentation to leave you with healthy, fresh, and even skin.
- Be cautious with hair removal. Seek out methods that create minimal amounts of friction against the skin. Laser hair removal is widely considered the best method for combating both excess hair and hyperpigmentation, but it’s also the most expensive. More affordable options include depilatory creams (as long as they don’t irritate your skin), shaving (make sure you moisturize before shaving and trim when necessary), and sugaring.
With the right care and treatment, you can keep your skin beautiful and free from pesky hyperpigmentation!
