The Causes of Hyperpigmentation and Treatment Options

If you’re experiencing discoloration and stubborn dark patches on your face, you could be suffering from hyperpigmentation. Best described as areas of abnormal darkening of the skin, problems like hyperpigmentation can be damaging to the self-esteem and be a source of significant stress and anxiety.

What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

There are a number of reasons why hyperpigmentation occurs, but essentially, you can think of it as discoloration or darkening resulting from skin inflammation.

For example, perhaps you are ecstatic to find that your cystic acne is finally clearing up, only to notice stubborn dark spots in its wake that just won’t seem to disappear. This is an example of hyperpigmentation arising from acne, but it can also be brought on by other things that cause inflammation like hormonal shifts or excessive exposure to  UV rays without sun protection.

Depending on the initial underlying cause, hyperpigmentation may show up as one spot or large, patchy areas. To make matters worse, hyperpigmentation can flare up and worsen when exposed to triggers like sunlight, skin injuries, or hormone fluctuations, making these already existing spots even darker.

How is Hyperpigmentation Treated?

It can be embarrassing to deal with worsening dark spots and blemishes—especially when they’re showing up on your face. The good news is, there are a few effective ways to treat hyperpigmentation that can drastically improve the appearance of your skin and get rid of those pesky dark spots.

Photo Facials

Photo facials are a great option for those who are looking for minimal risk and discomfort. Each treatment takes about fifteen to thirty minutes and entails the use of visible light pulses to dramatically reduce the appearance of embarrassing skin problems like hyperpigmentation.

If you’re worried about additional skin issues like signs of aging or rosacea, photo facials can help with those as well. If you cannot find a place near you that does photo facials, we suggest asking your surgeron about comparable laser treatments.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a quick, easy, and effective way to completely eliminate or significantly reduce the appearance of blemishes,  hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.

These facial peels are applied directly to the skin and generate a warm sensation. They generally take about five to ten minutes to process and work by gently exfoliating the skin, removing its damaged outer layer.

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and, when applied directly to the skin, has been shown to be effective at treating skin problems related to aging and sun damage. Hyperpigmentation certainly falls under this category, making this an effective and easy treatment option for some.

Which Treatment is Right for Me?

Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s important to do your research when selecting a treatment option. Ultimately, you just want to avoid making symptoms worse, and to come out the other end with skin that feels smooth, natural, and beautiful.

The knowledgable and friendly staff at Vargas Face and Skin are more than happy to make suggestions and provide you with a detailed idea of what you can expect from each treatment. Call today and let us guide you on your journey to feeling comfortable in your skin.