The Doctor Approved Guide to Treating Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation in the skin is common amongst many individuals of all ages and skin types. It can appear in the form of sunspots, brown patches, acne scars, rosacea, and many others. However, the main concern with hyperpigmentation is that it creates dull, uneven skin.

First let’s break down exactly what hyperpigmentation is, what causes it, and solutions to treat it.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is any patch of skin that looks darker than your natural skin tone which is due to the overproduction of melanin in these specific spots. This is what creates that uneven skin tone.

What Causes It?

There are multiple causes of hyperpigmentation. It varies for each person and could be one or a combination of these causes:

• Inflammation: Skin trauma — such as acne, eczema, bug bites, cuts, scrapes, even scratching or friction — can set off inflammation. Inflammation, in turn, can send pigment-producing cells into high gear, leaving behind a dark spot after the injury has healed.
• Sun exposure: The sun’s UV rays hitting your skin triggers extra melanin production to defend your skin from damage. That extra melanin is what gives you a tan. However, when sun exposure is frequent or excessive it can make dark “sun” spots appear.
• Melasma: A skin condition that causes patches and spots, usually on the face, which is darker than your natural skin tone. This type of hyperpigmentation most often occurs in women, but can also occur in men. It is thought to be triggered by a combination of sun exposure, genetics, and hormonal changes.
• Various types of medical conditions or medications: Hyperpigmentation can also be due to Addison’s disease, an adrenal gland disorder that can increase melanin production. Certain drugs, including antibiotics and some chemotherapy drugs, can cause hyperpigmentation as well.

What Professional Treatments are Best to Treat Hyperpigmentation?

There are plenty of pigmentation treatments to choose from so which one is right for you? We’ve run down our top 3 in-clinic options below.

1. Medical-Grade Hydrating and Brightening Skin Care Regimen
   You need a good, high-quality skincare routine for a plethora of reasons, but with hyperpigmentation, keeping your skin hydrated, clean, and toned is important for brighter skin and cell turnover. This means new and healthier skin cells.A good moisturizer will include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or even retinol to help boost brightening. At the same time, effective toners and cleansers that can gently exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin will help get rid of dead skin and debris to reveal brighter skin.Our favorite brightening system: Revision Skincare Brightening Full Size Regimen
2. Get a Professional Chemical Peel If topical solutions and regular skin care aren’t getting the job done, it might be a good time to reach out to an aesthetician or dermatologist and ask them about chemical peels. A chemical peel uses acids at stronger concentrations and treats desired areas of the skin to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It does this by removing dead cells along the epidermis (outermost layers of the skin).Our favorite peel to treat hyperpigmentation is the Isomer Peel at Garcia Aesthetics.Benefits:
   • Lightens hyperpigmentation
   • Diminishes signs of aging
   • Improves fine lines and wrinkles
   • Increases elasticity

   Contact us for your Chemical Peel Facial here.

3. Try an IPL PhotofacialIf all else fails, and you’re looking for a more permanent and effective treatment, then Lumecca IPL could be the solution for you.Lumecca is a powerful intense pulsed light (IPL) that treats pigmentation and vascular lesions. It helps patients improve skin tone, texture, and clarity on various areas of the body. Patients see results in as little as one to three sessions!This is a more extensive treatment, but it is painless, highly effective, and popular.Book your Lumecca IPL consultation here.Lumecca IPL Before & After

   While these are just a few options to treat hyperpigmentation, why not set up a consultation with us so we can create a custom skin plan for you and your skin goals?

Book your complimentary consultation at Garcia Aesthetics and see the fantastic results you could achieve.