Haunted by the ghosts of breakouts past? Hyperpigmentation can happen for a number of reasons: acne breakouts, sun exposure, and pregnancy-related hormonal changes, to name a few.
These dark marks and other forms of discoloration can be frustratingly difficult to remove! But don’t worry—there are answers. There are things you can do to help fade hyperpigmentation, some of which your GOODLYFE provider can help you with!
What is on this page?
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Your skin naturally produces a pigment called melanin, which gives it its color. Dark spots are typically places where too much pigment is present (which is why they’re also called hyperpigmentation). Common causes of post-breakout dark spots include skin inflammation (like acne!), prolonging inflammation by picking at the skin (hands off!), and sun exposure (wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30).
Post-acne spots, like skin, come in all sorts of colors. If you have a melanin-rich skin tone, you may be more susceptible to post-acne brown spots known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH in medical parlance). If your skin tone lacks melanin, you may be more likely to have pink and red spots — called post-inflammatory erythema, or PIE. Let's break it down!
Types of Hyperpigmentation, at a glance
Sun spots
Sun spots (including freckles) are caused by sun damage.⁶ Most sun spots can be prevented by practicing sun protection. Sometimes, they can be an indication of skin cancer, so see a doctor right away if your spot develops into something more serious.
Melasma
Melasma is a chronic condition caused by a variety of factors including genetics, hormones, and exposure to sun and heat. People with melasma experience brown patches in symmetrical patterns on the face.⁷ Melasma is notoriously difficult to treat, but there are options available!
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (sometimes mistaken for acne scars) is left behind as inflammatory events (like blemishes or burns) heal.⁸ Unlike scars, PIH will fade over time on their own. You can speed healing by using skincare products with ingredients that treat dark spots—more on those in a second!
Causes of Dark Spots on Face
Pigmentation on face stems from a biological compound produced by our body known as melanin. Melanin is responsible for producing and providing pigment that gives colour to your skin, hair, and eyes along with serving as a protective barrier from harmful UV radiation that damages our cells, through absorption of this radiation.
Now, when the skin produces an excessive amount of melanin, that can lead to hyperpigmentation which in turn results in dark spots. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by several factors such as:
Repeated sun exposure
Scarring
Hormonal changes
Ageing
However, it is important to note that not every dark spot may be pigmentation or sunspots, which is why it is always best to first consult with your doctor before starting any preventive measures or treatment.
How to Prevent Dark Spots
You don’t have to wait for dark spots to make themselves known to your skin before you wake up to them out of nowhere one fine day. There are preventive measures you can take early on to reduce, if not completely avoid their chances of coming into your life uninvited.
A few simple yet effective steps you can take to keep hyperpigmentation at bay are:
Don’t step into the sun without wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher
Wear protective gear such as sunglasses, a hat, covered clothing to protect skin from UV damage
Treat skin inflammation at the earliest
Wash face thoroughly and clean hands before touching your face
Hydrate regularly to flush out toxins
How to Treat Dark Spots
In the instance that these little guys are relentless and manage to nudge their way through — a lot like the unwanted guest who can’t seem to grasp the most obvious of hints (read: “I have a doctor’s appointment” to which they respond with “I’ll see you after”) — it’s not a lost battle. There are ways in which you can do some damage control.
Here are some Hyperpigmentation treatments you can consider:
Acne scars vs. Hyperpigmentation
Post-acne scars often get bundled up with dark spots, but they’re a different beast. Unlike acne scars, hyperpigmentation from acne can fade in 6 to 12 months—potentially sooner, especially if you wear sunscreen regularly!
Scars from acne, unfortunately, don’t often go away. Scars change skin texture, not just color. Types of acne scars include:
Rolling scars: wide and shallow scars, usually around 4-5 mm.
Boxcar scars: U-shaped, crater-like, wide depressions that may be shallow or deep, with sharp edges.
Ice pick scars: narrow ( < 2mm) deep depressions with steep edges, tapering to an even narrower base.
Unfortunately, acne scars can be permanent. Topical treatments won’t really help with scarring beyond fading hyperpigmentation on/around the scars. Some treatments you can get in person at a cosmetic dermatologist’s office can help improve scarring, though! If scars from acne lesions are bothering you, we encourage you to seek out a board certified dermatologist near you.
When to see a doctor to treat acne spots
While many types of hyperpigmentation (such as post-acne spots) are harmless, don’t take it upon yourself to diagnose a dark spot. Precancerous spots as well as various skin cancers may at times look like ordinary sunspots. Melanoma, which is a dangerous skin cancer, may appear as a very dark spot. If you notice a new spot, or if there’s a change in an existing spot —such as irregular borders, multiple colors, increasing size— always have your primary care physician or dermatologist examine it in-person. We know it can be scary, but remember, doctors are here to help you!
HOW TO REDUCE DARK SPOTS
As Skin Health Experts, we treat clients with hyperpigmentation and dark spot concerns in our clinics every day. If you’ve been looking for a solution to hyperpigmentation, sun spots, dark spots, or other skin pigmentation issues, we’re here to help.
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