8 treatment options for hyperpigmentation

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thanh Van - Doctor of Internal Medicine - Dermatology - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.

Hyperpigmentation is the term that describes patches of dark skin. These dark patches of skin are the result of excess melanin production, often due to inflammation, sun damage, and hormonal changes.
There are many treatments for hyperpigmentation, here are some of the most common:

Skin lightening creams are an over-the-counter treatment with select ingredients to help reduce skin pigmentation. However, choosing a cream with the right ingredients and how to use them in combination still requires consultation with a dermatologist or a specialist in cosmetics.
Common ingredient in skin lightening cream
Hydroquinone Licorice extract N-acetylglucosamine Vitamin B3 (niacinamide). An effective skin lightening cream for superficial hyperpigmentation of the skin. However, they will likely take longer to work than professional treatments.

Products containing acids will have an exfoliating effect, sloughing off the top layer of horny cells of the skin. After exfoliating the skin, new skin cells will appear to replace the old ones. This process helps even out the skin tone and makes the skin smoother.
Products of this group are usually easy to find in cosmetic stores. Some common cosmetic acid ingredients are:
Alpha hydroxy acid, for example, glycolic, lactic, citric, malic or tartaric acid azelaic acid kojic acid salicylic acid Vitamin C (in the form of l-ascorbic acid) Acids that work well for mild hyperpigmentation in light skin types.

Retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A, are among the oldest over-the-counter skin care ingredients in use today. Its small molecular structure allows it to penetrate deep into the skin and affect the sub-epidermal layers.
1 Some Retinoids require a prescription. The content of retinoids in over-the-counter products is usually lower and less effective than prescription products.
In case products containing over-the-counter retinoids do not work, consult a dermatologist who can use prescription retinoid tretinoin products.
Over-the-counter retinoids are safe for all skin types. However, it is still advisable to consult a dermatologist if you have darkening of the skin and plan to use this product long-term.
Renoids are often used to treat wrinkles rather than hyperpigmentation. This means that retinoids are not the best treatment for hyperpigmentation.

Chemical peels are the use of acids in higher concentrations to treat skin problems. The chemicals reduce hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis. In addition, they can also penetrate the middle layer of the skin (dermis) to bring about spectacular skin rejuvenation effects.
There are many types of over-the-counter chemical peels sold in cosmetic stores. However, in order to be effective and highly effective, you should use professional products at a cosmetic clinic.
Using chemical peels can cause some risks such as redness, irritation, blistering and scarring.
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, chemical peels may not be the right treatment for you. Chemical peels make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Without enough sunscreen and other UV protection measures, the sun can make hyperpigmentation worse.
Chemical peels can be used for cases such as:
Dark spots, age spots Freckles Melasma Uneven skin color This method is suitable for most skin types and works faster than mild acid products.

There are two types of lasers: invasive and non-invasive. Ablative laser is a powerful method of removing layers of skin. Non-invasive lasers target the dermis to promote collagen growth and firm the skin.
Ablative lasers are stronger, but they can cause more side effects.
Ablative laser is suitable for people with light skin. For some people, non-invasive lasers can darken the skin instead of lighten it. So, talk to a dermatologist to evaluate your skin condition to help choose a method that is more suitable for your own skin.

IPL therapy is a non-invasive light treatment. IPL has the effect of stimulating collagen growth in the dermis. This method usually has to be repeated many times.
IPL is used for pigmentation problems, especially shallow pigment spots that respond better to this method. IPL can also help improve wrinkles, dilated capillaries and enlarged pores.
IPL is ideal for people with light skin types.

This method is used in cosmetic facilities to treat hyperpigmentation of the epidermis (shallow pigmentation)
During the procedure, the dermatologist will use a hand tool with a brush or an abrasive tip. The abrasive tip is swept over the skin gently to remove the cuticle.
Ultra-abrasive method is suitable for scarred skin and light skin type.

The method affects the epidermis and part of the dermis, often used to smooth wrinkles and improve some problems such as: acne scars, age spots, chickenpox scars, trauma scars, skin damage caused by sunlight sunny.
The procedure is similar to the super-abrasive method. The effect is achieved more quickly, but may cause temporary hyperpigmentation for about 8-10 weeks.
No matter what treatment you choose, it's important to protect your skin from the effects of the sun. Daily use of sunscreen is a must to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment. In addition, it is recommended to choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 or higher, apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen and use other sunscreen products to protect the skin as best as possible.

Reference source: healthline.com