— SKINCARE
Treat Hyperpigmentation At Home With This 3 Step Skin Care Routine
As we get older, we tend to worry about our skin becoming wrinkly or saggy. Yet we often overlook another sign of aging that immediately adds decades to your appearance, sometimes more than wrinkles or sagging skin: hyperpigmentation.
But don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds.
Once you understand where hyperpigmentation comes from, you can begin treating it. So, read on to learn more about hyperpigmentation and how you can treat it in the comfort of your own home.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation simply refers to the pesky dark spots, sunspots, and other patches of discoloration that often pop up on your body with age. It occurs when your skin produces an excess amount of “melanin” — the natural pigment that gives skin its color — and can show up on your face, arms, hands, and neck. While hyperpigmentation is mostly harmless, the appearance of dark spots can cause your skin to look duller, feel uneven, and appear older.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
You might know that everyday life can take a toll on the appearance of your skin, but what you may not realize is it plays a large part in the production of pigment as well. There are many factors that can cause your skin to create dark spots and discoloration. Here are two of the leading causes of hyperpigmentation:
1. Sun Exposure
The most common cause of hyperpigmentation is exposure to the sun. When you spend a lot of time in direct sunlight, your skin starts to produce extra melanin to protect you against UV rays. And as you spend more time in the sun, the more vulnerable you become to developing spots on your face, hands, and neck. While you may not be able to control your exposure to the sun, there are ways to help keep your skin protected from it (keep reading to learn more). 
2. Age
The more obvious factor that affects the development of hyperpigmentation is age. As we get older, our skin naturally develops dark spots and age spots through the uneven production of melanin. Things like hormonal changes, increased inflammation, and some medical conditions can all play a part. Dark spots and discolored patches on the skin are most common in those over 50, but anyone can experience hyperpigmentation. And chances are, as you age, you may begin to see the pesky spots appear.
Can Hyperpigmentation Be Treated?
Although they are usually small and can be covered with makeup, the appearance of dark spots can be super frustrating. But luckily, there are many ways to diminish them.
Of course, there are time-consuming, costly techniques like chemical peels and laser treatments designed to restore a youthful appearance. Or there are products formulated with skin bleaches to fade hyperpigmentation.
If you do decide to opt for a skin-bleaching spot treatment to diminish dark spots, look out for the ingredient list. Many brightening topicals contain an ingredient called hydroquinone that can actually cause more harm than good.
In fact, hydroquinone can actually worsen the appearance of hyperpigmentation by “leaking” into the surrounding skin and instead lighten the area around dark spots. This will not only draw even more attention to any discoloration you may have but will increase the appearance of aging skin, too.
How Can I Treat Hyperpigmentation at Home Without Damaging My Skin?
Before you turn to “quick fixes” like lasers, chemical peels, and bleaching, there are some other steps you can take at home to treat hyperpigmentation…
As with most at-home remedies, this short routine will take patience and regular use. But each step is easy, effective, and will help restore the smooth, radiant-looking skin you deserve.
Here is a 3-step skin care routine designed to help you treat hyperpigmentation at home:
Step 1: Use a Chemical Exfoliant
To improve your skin tone overall and keep it looking smooth and bright, you should start your routine with a gentle but effective chemical exfoliant. Our Dermal Reset Exfoliating Concentrate will take years off your appearance by visibly smoothing skin and adding some much needed radiance. Great for those who want to treat hyperpigmentation, it uses gentle exfoliating acids to clear away the look of wrinkles, rough texture, and discoloration — leaving you with clearer, ageless-looking skin in just a couple of weeks.
To use, simply apply 1-2 pumps to clean, dry skin in the morning or at night. You can apply Dermal Reset Exfoliating Concentrate daily, but if you’re new to chemical exfoliants, you should start by using it 1-2 times a week and build up your tolerance week by week.
Pro tip: when looking for a new product, make sure you use a chemical exfoliant, NOT a scrub. Face scrubs can strip your skin, making it more susceptible to sun damage, which can cause more hyperpigmentation.
Step 2: Use a Bleach-free Spot Treatment
If you want to target specific areas and diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation altogether, you should go for a bleach-free topical product, like a spot treatment or serum. Our Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector treats dark spots and visibly evens out skin tone by using an advanced formula that’s just as powerful — yet gentler— than skin bleaches. Its fast-acting properties will reduce the look of dark spots in just seconds. And not only does it minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation, but the corrector also calms redness and smooths skin.
Using a pea-sized amount on clean, dry skin, apply the serum directly to areas of concern for a brighter, smoother appearance. Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector should be used both day and night as part of your skin care routine.
Pro tip: Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector can be applied to the neck and hands, as well as your face, to give a brighter, youthful look all over.
Step 3: Apply Sunscreen Daily
The final step in your hyperpigmentation skin care routine is sunscreen. This is essential to maintaining a youthful, bright appearance and should be done every day. Applying sunscreen daily protects your skin, slows the effects of visible signs of aging, and helps diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
For best results, apply sunscreen after your other skin care products (before makeup) 15 minutes before sun exposure. You should continually reapply the sunscreen every two hours when you’re out in the sun.
Pro tip: always remember to use at least SPF 30 and apply sunscreen every morning (even if you don’t spend any time directly in the sun).
The Takeaway
Needless to say, all it takes is three simple steps to minimize the appearance of dark spots, sunspots, and other discoloration for a clearer, younger look. This short routine should only add a couple of minutes to your ritual — leaving your skin looking and feeling better than ever.
Do you know someone who would benefit from this targeted skin care routine? Be sure to share this blog with them!
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperpigmentation#causes
ttps://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2014/8/remove-dark-pigmentation-characteristic-of-aging-skin
https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/issues/articles/Vol30_i3_Woolery-Loyd.pdf
