Treating hyperpigmentation requires a combination skincare products with active ingredients that control the cause the hyperpigmentation as well as reduce the excess uneven pigmentation. But, if you are not consistent in following your home care regime your skin will not improve.

In some cases, along with your home care regime, it may be necessary to receive professional treatments that target your type of hyperpigmentation. There are different types of hyperpigmentation.

Age Spots, Lentigines, Liver Spots
The most common cause is due to long term UV exposure without sun protection. Overexposure to the sun is a common cause of hyperpigmentation, the leading cause of dark spots in light-skinned individuals.

Melasma or Pregnancy Mask

It is the excess of pigment in areas, such as the cheeks or forehead, caused by hormonal fluctuations.

Hormonal in balance can trigger melasma. The rise and fall of hormones during pregnancy, thyroid dysfunction, hormone replacement therapy or with birth control pills are possible causes. Melasma is a very difficult condition to treat.

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

The injury or trauma to the skin produces inflammation. This inflammation causes the melanocytes cells to produce extra melanin . Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is most common in people with darker skin tones.

This type of hyperpigmentation usually follows skin injuries, such as, acne injuries, psoriasis, burns, manual friction (picking) or chemical peels.

First thing first….

A good home care routine to correct hyperpigmentation must Include sun protection, even if you have a dark complexion. It’s a myth that African Americans don’t need sunscreen. African Americans should also wear a daily moisturizer with SPF protection.

You will need more then one cleanser. Along with your regular daily cleanser, you must have an additional treatment cleanser with ingredients that will have an impact on the pigmentation. One that contains a mild alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and melanin control ingredients such as kojic acid.

Your routine should also include several serums. The serums should help with cellular turnover in order to keep your skin smooth and help with acne scars, reduce and lighten dark pigmentation, and suppress melanin production for a more even tone.

Serums for a pigmentation control:

AHA serum They act as exfoliants, they also lighten hyperpigmentation and smooth out skin texture.

Vitamin A serum (retinol/retinaldehyde) Promotes skin cell turnover, a dark spot corrector or inhibitor serum to target pigment production

Note of caution. If you have both a vitamin A (retinol) serum and an AHA serum, do not use them together, they are both exfoliants, they just work differently.

Vitamin C serum A natural ingredient that reduce melanin production. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant that will protect your skin against free radical sun damage.

Melanin suppressant/control ingredients:

Kojic Acid Lifts away discoloration and interrupts the skin’s production of melanin to provide an even, bright skin tone.

Azelaic acid Has both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory advantages. It’s beneficial the treatment of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne, also age spots and melasma. Azelaic acid is especially helpful for individuals with deep skin tones and for those who have super-sensitive, rosacea or acne-prone skin.

Other active ingredients that reduce melanin production. They typically target tyrosinase, the key regulator of melanin production.

• Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract
• Arbutin
• (Licorice) Root Extract
• Lactic Acid

Your night moisturizer should offer you hydration and or oil control, it could also have ingredients to control melanin production.