How To Treat Hyperpigmentation

Are you seeing spots? A very common skin condition, hyperpigmentation describes the darker patches on your skin that are the result of excess melanin production. In most cases, these dark spots are not something to worry about, but they can cause your skin to appear uneven in colour. Not to worry! There are a number of treatments available to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

What Are The Different Types of Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation can present on your skin in a few different ways.

Sun Spots

Sun exposure can lead to the development of darker sun spots on your face and body.

Melasma

The most common type of hyperpigmentation, melasma appears as irregular brown, tan, or brown-grey patches typically on the face. Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy, can result in the development of melasma.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when your skin produces extra melanin after it has been injured or irritated. This could include infections, bug bites, allergic reactions, razor bumps, burns, rashes, or psoriasis.

Freckles

Freckles, like sun spots, are the result of sun exposure causing extra production of melanin in your skin.

Now that we know the different types of hyperpigmentation, how do we treat it?

How To Treat Sun Spots & Freckles

Laser treatments are most effective for treating sun spots and freckles. The laser can target sun-damage to reduce pigmentation and simultaneously stimulate collagen production.

How To Treat Melasma

Melasma can be treated through a course of peels or micro needling. The micro punctures from micro needling allow for deeper penetration of products to target melasma. Chemical peels, on the other hand, exfoliate the upper layers of skin, which can help to treat hyperpigmentation.

How To Treat PIH

Micro needling, chemical peels, or laser treatments can all help to treat hyperpigmentation caused by PIH, but skin type will play a factor in determining which treatment is right for you. If you suffer from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, we recommend booking a free skin consultation to identify the best course of treatment for you.

Skincare For Pigmentation

Whether or not you choose to treat hyperpigmentation in-clinic with laser, micro needling, or chemical peels, a proper at-home skincare routine is essential to seeing results. There are a variety of products that target hyperpigmentation and the Smooth Effects team would be happy to help you find the best skincare program for your skin.