A Comprehensive Guide to Hyperpigmentation

August 26, 2020

We all want to have that even-toned, glass-like radiant skin like all the girls in Korean dramas, however for most people, hyperpigmentations often appear and refuse to go away. Is it impossible for them to fade? No, but it does require a lot of effort. Let’s take a look at what hyperpigmentation is, what causes them, the different types of hyperpigmentation, and how to treat them!

 

What Is Hyperpigmentation

A common skin condition that affects all skin types and ages, hyperpigmentation is often developed due to melanocyte instability. Melanin is formed in a skin cell called a melanocyte, and these pigment-producing cells live at the dermo-epidermal junction and basal layers of our skin. Under normal circumstances, they protect the skin from UV rays, however, they can become hyperactive if triggered and start overproducing melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation and spots; and the more baseline melanin there is in the skin, the more risk there is of developing hyperpigmentation.

 

 
What Causes Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is multifactorial. When there is inflammation in the skin, which can be caused by UV damage, acne, picking and irritating the skin, free radicals, harsh cleanser, and hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy or taking contraceptive pills, a signal is sent to the melanocytes as part of an immune response. The melanocytes then overproduce the brown melanin pigment, resulting in the hyperpigmentation on the skin that we see. Whilst, genetic, metabolic, hormonal and environmental factors will determine their severity, how long they will linger, and how they are best treated.

 

 
Three Main Kinds of Hyperpigmentation 

1. Post-inflammatory

Red/brown spots that we are left with as a result of acne, picking and irritating the skin, harsh cleansers, or even a scratch, is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and they are arguably the easiest kind to treat. (Note that this does not include indented/icepick scars.)

 
2. Age Spots

Often found on areas of the skin that are most exposed to the sun (think your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose), these brown spots are the result of UV damage that have accumulated throughout the years. They are the result of decades of photoaging, which only tend to surface decades later.

3. Hormonal

Often referred to as melasma, this type of hyperpigmentation affects 10-15% of pregnant women, and 10-25% of women taking the contraceptive pill, due to a change in hormonal balance. As these spots are the result of an internal issue, they are the hardest type to fight topically.

 

Best Ways To Get Rid of Hyperpigmentations

The truth is, some products simply use light-reflective ingredients in their formulas to trick the eyes and give you a false sense of lightened hyperpigmentation or even skin tone. Ever feel like once you stop using a certain product, the hyperpigmentation instantly comes back, and skin seems less radiant? Well of course, because they never went away in the first place!

So don’t be fooled by all the products and marketing gimmicks that claim to banish all hyperpigmentation in 7 days (or even 28 days, really). Ask any dermatologist and they will tell you hyperpigmentation is never an overnight fix. It is a long fight and requires consistency. 

 

Solution 1: Use Retinol

Proven to help with all types of hyperpigmentation, retinol penetrates deep into the skin and reduces melanin by blocking the transcription of tyrosinase, induce desquamation, disperse keratinocyte pigment granules and enhance epidermal cell turnover. It also reduces cell damage, boosts repair, regulates oil production, treats acne, and boosts collagen formation.

KLUR
Stellar Restoration Corrective Complex  <- Click to shop

Featuring star ingredient 1.8% Encapsulated Retinol, as well as 1.5% Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Licorice Root, Gotu Kola, Willow Bark, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate and Squalane, the powerful yet gentle watery serum stimulates collagen synthesis and rejuvenates skin to effectively reduce wrinkles, acne and hyperpigmentation, smooth skin texture, slow aging, and minimize pores in a soothing, hydrating way.

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Solution 2: Speed Up Cell Turnover

By using a blend of AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, unwanted skin cells (including ages melanin sitting on the surface of the skin) can be shred off much easier and quicker. Not only will the skin look more even-toned and brighter, it is also great for treating acne. What’s better, with time, they accelerate cell turnover and increase the amount of collagen, as well as hyaluronic acid production within the dermis, so the skin will appear more plumped, smooth and bouncy.

OUMERE
No. 9 Exfoliant  <- Click to shop

Contains natural effective yet gentle AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, together with Mulberry, which has the highest concentration of resveratrol in nature, as well as Goldenseal, Licorice Root, and Aloe Leaf Juice, etc., it removes dead skin cells, speeds up cell turnover, brightens skin, reduces hyperpigmentation, unclogs pores and prevents acne, while providing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions.

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Solution 3: Inhibit Tyrosinase Activity

Tyrosinase is the enzyme responsible in synthesizing melanin through melanogenesis. By inhibiting its activities and breaking it down, you can speed up the fading of existing hyperpigmentation whilst preventing future spots from forming. Ingredients that can inhibit tyrosinase activity includes Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ellagic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Iridoids, Licorice Root, Niacinamide, and Resveratrol etc.

AGENT NATEUR
holi(c) The C Duo  <- Click to shop

A highly concentrated product consisting of only two ingredients. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate acts on melanin formation process in the skin and prevents hyperpigmentation process. It also protects cells against free radicals, as well as clinically proven to reduce acne (less acne = less post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Whilst, Calcium Ketogluconate has shown to increase elastin synthesis by 40-45%, increase self hyaluronic acid synthesis by 36-92%, lift skin by 27% and improves skin elasticity by 16% in vivo tests.

 

OUMERE
UV-R™  <- Click to shop

With Mulberry, which has the highest concentration of resveratrol in nature (10x more than what is found in grape), Bilberry, and other sprecious organic botanical ingredients like Cordyceps, Broccoli Sprout, and Ginseng extracts etc., UV-R prevents and reverses daily UV-induced damages, promotes cell regeneration, fights oxidative stress, and reverses photoaging, thus keeping the skin youthful and radiant.

 

TWELVE BEAUTY
Ideal Brightening Corrective Serum <- Click to shop

A powerful botanical based brightening serum suitable for even the most sensitive skin, it is enriched with Mallow, Yarrow, Peppermint, Heath Speedwell, Lady’s Mantle, Cowslip etc. that are rich in iridioids, tannins, and polyphenols to disintegrate and inhibit melanin production, thereby brightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation, all the while fighting free radicals and inflammations, protecting skin cells, preventing collagen and elastin breakdown, and stimulating cell regeneration. 

 

LA BELLA FIGURA
Modern Radiance Concentrate  <- Click to shop

Using advanced technology to extract actives from Kakadu Plum cells the gel-cream serum is fortified with Vitamin C that is 60 times more than oranges. Together with resveratrol-rich Aronia Berry, Licorice Root, Barbary Fig Oil, Helichrysum, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Gotu Kola, Ferulic Acid etc., it effectively inhibits the formation of melanin, brightens, reduces hyperpigmentation, fights free radicals, promotes collagen synthesis, and strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier.

 

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