Beauty
Brighter skin, right this way.
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What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
It can occur for a number of reasons, but among the most common is sun exposure.
Mona Gohara, M.D.,a Hampden, Connecticut-based dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale University.
These are most common in lighter skin tones.
Gohara says those affected will want to treat the underlying inflammatory condition first,i.e.
This kind is common with women on hormonal birth control or after pregnancy.
Theyre thought to result from hormones in addition to UV and blue light, she says.
Common tyrosinase enzyme blockers includevitamin C,kojic acid,licorice root extract,azelaic acid, andhydroquinone.
Even minor damage cancause those packets to leak or lead to an overproduction of melanin, resulting in hyperpigmentation.
For that reason, as Liu explains, treatments that cause inflammation can ironically make the situation worse.
Also remember: SPF is non-negotiable, Gohara insists.
She recommends using amineral sunscreenwith at least SPF 30 and iron oxides.
Reapply every two hours with outdoor exposure 365 days a year, regardless of weather, says Gohara.
To help guide you, here are a handful of fan-favorite, derm-approved dark spot-correcting serums.
It also contains niacinamide to improve skins texture and tone while reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies referenced:
Bissett, D. et al (2006).
Niacinamide: A B Vitamin that Improves Aging Facial Skin Appearance.
Dermatologic Surgery.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732
Callender, V. et al (2021).
Therapy in Practice.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40257-021-00643-2
Ciganovic, P. (2019).
Glycerolic Licorice Extracts as Active Cosmeceutical Ingredients: Extraction Optimization, Chemical Characterization, and Biological Activity.
Antioxidants.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826613/
Davis, E. & Callender, V. (2010).
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: A Review of the Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Treatment Options in Skin of Color.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921758/
Dumbuya, H. et al (2020).
Impact of Iron-Oxide Containing Formulations Against Visible Light-Induced Skin Pigmentation in Skin of Color Individuals.
Journal of D in Dermatology.
Green, B. et al (2009).
Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids.
Clinics in Dermatology.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X09001564
Grimes, P.E.
New oral and topical approaches for the treatment of melasma.
International Journal of Womens Dermatology.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647518300431
Halder, R.M.
& Richards, G.M.
Topical Treatments Used in the Management of Hyperpigmentation.
Skin Therapy Letter.https://www.skintherapyletter.com/hyperpigmentation/topical-agents/
Kim, B. et al (2017).
An overview about oxidation in clinical practice of skin aging.
An Bras Dermatol.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514578/
Zolghadri, S. et al (2018).
A comprehensive review on tyrosinase inhibitors.
