What you can do
Acne-related hyperpigmentation occurs when dark spots develop after a spot heals. While hyperpigmentation is harmless, it can be frustrating to deal with.
If you suffer from acne-related hyperpigmentation, you’re not alone. Talk to your dermatologist about your over-the-counter (OTC) and professional treatment options.
The specific treatment you pick will rely upon the seriousness of your condition, just as your skin type and tone. Your dermatologist can help you locate the most ideal choice for your skin.
Read on to learn more about how you can alleviate this form of hyperpigmentation with over-the-counter products, prescription creams, and more.
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps keep the inside and outside of your body healthy. It is known by many names, including ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, l-ascorbic acid may help reduce the appearance of scars and even out your skin tone by stimulating collagen production.
Nutrient C is viewed as safe for all skin tones.
Products to try
You can take advantage of vitamin C as a brightener in both pure and combined forms.
Popular OTC options are:
- Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum With 7.5 percent vitamin C, this serum can help with hyperpigmentation problems.
- TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum. This serum contains 20 percent vitamin C and is also used for fine lines and wrinkles.
- Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil. This contains vitamin C as well as other vitamins from A to F. Some consider this an all-in-one product to address problems with tone, wrinkles, and moisture loss.
- Derma-E Vitamin C Intensive Night Cream. As a little something extra, this item is veggie lover and mercilessness free.
2. Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be a great option if you are dealing with both active acne and associated hyperpigmentation. This can work well for raised brown spots as well.
However, there is a risk of hypopigmentation. If you have dark skin, you may be more likely to develop hypopigmentation.
Products to try out
Stronger forms of azelaic acid require a prescription.
You can also find the ingredient in the following OTC products:
- The usual azelaic acid suspension 10%. You can also use this product to address general texture problems.
- GiGi Bioplasma Azelaic Peel. This serum removes ■■■■ skin cells and promotes even skin.
- Rodial Super Acids Daily Serum. This serum also uses lactic acid to help promote skin cell regeneration.
3. Mandelic acid
Mandelic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) made from almonds. It is frequently utilized in blend with different fixings as an enemy of maturing treatment for wrinkles and lopsided skin tone. This acid can also be used to treat inflammatory acne.
Products to try
Popular OTC options include:
- Sefpil Mandelic Acid Cream. This is fundamentally utilized as a pre or post-treatment for microdermabrasion and other expert evaluation techniques. You should speak to your dermatologist before use.
- Peeling with 40% mandelic acid. This high-strength peel can also be used to treat rosacea and active acne breakouts.
- Vivant Skin Care 8% Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Serum. This serum evens out dark spots while treating active flare-ups.
4. Kojic acid
Derived from a type of ■■■■■■, kojic acid is considered to be a natural bleach. It is often used for age spots, so it may work best for brown acne pigmentation.
Products to try
Popular OTC options include:
- Pureauty Naturals Skin Brightening Serum with Kojic Acid. This moderate serum targets abundance melanin creation at its source to try and out your skin tone.
- Brightening soap with white kojic acid and papaya. Designed for daily use, this cleanser unifies your complexion with a fruity scent.
- ProActiv Complexion Perfecting Moisturizer. As an added bonus, this anti-acne moisturizer also contains salicylic acid to help prevent future breakouts.
5. Niacinamide
Niacinamide is an ingredient found in niacin (vitamin B-3). It’s often found in wrinkle creams and other anti-aging products as it helps water retention. It can also increase collagen production.
Products to try out
While niacinamide can be useful if you have both wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, it likely won’t treat the latter problem on its own. It may be more beneficial to look for the ingredient in combination products.
Popular OTC options are:
- Eva Naturals Vitamin B3 5% Niacinamide Serum. As a little something extra, this serum can help improve versatility.
- The common niacinamide 10%. This serum also contains zinc to help reduce the appearance of pores.
- Paula’s choice is resistant to 10% niacinamide boosters. Supposedly for all skin types, this serum can also help with wrinkles and dry skin.
- Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that removes dark spots while slowing down the release of melanin. This ingredient works best for darker spots on all skin tones. However, you may need to avoid it on sensitive skin. Some people are also allergic.
Products to try out
Hydroquinone is available by prescription, but you should consider less rigorous OTC options first.
Popular OTC options are:
- AMBI Fade Cream. This product is available in various formulas for normal and oily skin types.
- Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum. This contains both hydroquinone and glycolic acid to maximize the potential benefits of pigment correction.
- Admire my ultra-powerful lightening serum for my skin. This serum additionally contains Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, and Azelaic Acid for much more advantages.
7. Retinoids
Retinoids are compounds made from vitamin A. Although they are considered proven remedies in the anti-aging world, there are some products that are also used for acne and associated hyperpigmentation. These work by going deep under your skin to even out skin tone and texture.
Products to try
Like hydroquinone, retinoids are available by prescription and over the counter.
Prior to attempting a more grounded remedy retinoid, think about one of the accompanyings:
- Differin gel. As a little something extra, this retinoid gel can treat both skins break out and skin inflammation related hyperpigmentation.
- Admire My Skin Retinoid Cream. This daily lotion can likewise decrease redness and wrinkles.
- Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Pads. These easy-to-use tampons also help replenish natural moisture to improve your overall skin tone.
8. Chemical peel
Substance strips use acids to help “strip” the external layer of your skin, uncovering smoother, more conditioned skin under. They contain either AHAs, such as glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), such as salicylic acid.
Whichever acid you choose, be aware that the peel versions contain higher concentrations than over-the-counter serums and creams.
For skin inflammation related hyperpigmentation, compound strips work to diminish the presence of dull spots. The OTC versions only remove the epidermis. If you have extremely dark spots, you may need to get a professional peel from your dermatologist who can target the dermis (middle layer) as well.
Products to try
In case you’re keen on an at-home synthetic strip, look at the accompanying:
- Exuviance Performance Peel AP25. This twice-weekly peel uses glycolic acid to improve skin tone and texture.
- Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive. This AHA is a good peel to try if you are new to chemical peels or if you have sensitive skin.
- Perfect Image Gel Peel with 20% salicylic acid. This peel contains BHAs to help remove acne and improve skin tone.
9. Laser peeling
Thought about a reemerging treatment, a laser strip utilizes light energy to revamp the outside of your skin. The new skin grows back more evenly and smoother than before.
Laser strips are utilized in more extreme instances of hyperpigmentation. They also tend to work better for lighter skin. Some laser beams can inadvertently cause more dark spots on darker skin.
You cannot buy a laser peel. You will need to see your dermatologist if you are interested in this procedure for acne hyperpigmentation.
Be sure to ask your doctor about ablative lasers - they are more intense and remove the outer layer of the skin. They may also be less likely to cause unintentional darkening.
10. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a less effective form of dermabrasion. It uses small crystals or a diamond-tipped handpiece to remove your epidermis, which works well on flat areas with hyperpigmentation from acne. You may need weekly treatments to get results and these work best on fair skin.
Microdermabrasion should be possible at your dermatologist’s or skincare expert’s office. OTC products are also available. While OTC products are often cheaper, they usually don’t achieve the same results as professional microdermabrasion.
Is hyperpigmentation the same as scarring?
It is possible that an outbreak could leave both hyperpigmentation and scarring. However, these are two different skin problems that require very different approaches to treatment.
Scarring occurs when either an excessive amount of tissue is left from a blemish (hypertrophic) or when there is a depressed area in the skin due to a lack of tissue (atrophic).
Some procedures, such as B. laser treatment can be used to treat both skin problems.
If you are unsure what your blemishes are, consult your dermatologist. They can help diagnose your problem and discuss treatment options.
When to visit your dermatologist
Talk to your dermatologist before trying hyperpigmentation procedures at home. They might have the option to suggest a more viable treatment technique for your individual skin care.
Consistency is key to any treatment you and your dermatologist choose. It as a rule requires around a quarter of a year to get results. You will also need to keep up with regular treatments, otherwise, hyperpigmentation may return.