Hyperpigmentation is a common condition that makes some area of the skin darker than others. It occurs when special cells in the skin make too much of the pigment called melanin. Hyperpigmentation may appear as freckles, age spots, or larger areas of darkened skin.
Hyperpigmentation may also be caused by injury or inflammation of the skin, sun damage, abnormal skin growths, hormone changes, pregnancy, or other medical conditions. Certain medicines, including some anticancer drugs, can also cause hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation doesn’t occur on the skin alone, as the nails can also experience this condition. There are four common types of hyperpigmentation ; Melasma, Sunspots, Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and Medication hyperpigmentation. We highlighted below few ways to maintain a clears skin and get rid of hyperpigmentation.
Stay Moisturized
One of the reasons you have to ensure your skin is moisturized is to improve cell turnover. Some over-the-counter moisturizers lighten and soften the dark spots. These moisturizers usually contain proven active ingredients that rejuvenate the skin. When buying a skin moisturizer, make sure it contains glycerin or hyaluronic acid and retinol. The perfect moisturizer will help the skin cells replace the old dark spots by restoring the skin’s fat barriers.
Don’t Scratch Acne, Blackheads, and other Injuries
Scratching injuries or popping acne or blackhead should be avoided. As tempting as it could be to scratch, pop, or peel, do not attempt to. Scratching the dark spot can only increase inflammation and ultimately lead to dark skin coloration. The more you scratch those injury spots, the worse they will look later.
Make Use of Brightening Cream
You can explore over-the-counter brightening lotions to get rid of hyperpigmentation. Don’t just wait for the dark spots to move deeper into the skin before you treat. The longer it stays, the more difficult it is to get rid of.
Avoid Excessive Sunlight
Appearing sun-kissed might look good on your Instagram selfie game, but in reality, sunlight remains the primary course of hyperpigmentation. Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more on hot and cool days, even when indoors. Try to stay out of sunlight, especially during the peak hours of 12 pm to 3 pm, or , use a sun umbrella to protect yourself from direct sun rays. In addition, sport a hat and/or sunglasses to further shade your face.