If you want to get rid of your hyperpigmentation from acne, treating it as soon as it onsets can accelerate the natural fading process. Without treatment, some hyperpigmented areas may heal on their own, but it could take up to 6 to 12 months.
Full Answer
What is the best acne treatment for hyperpigmentation?
Known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, azelaic acid may be a good option if you’re dealing with both active acne and related hyperpigmentation. This may also work well for raised brown spots.
Are You Ready for post-acne hyperpigmentation treatments?
With 20% of your pigmented cells remaining, it takes longer to correct the pigmentation. When you’re ready to begin treatment, you have plenty of options. The only thing you need to have is patience. There are several post-acne hyperpigmentation treatments out there. No matter what you choose, it takes time. Steady and consistent treatment is key.
Should I consult a dermatologist for hyperpigmentation treatment?
For more advanced treatments and procedures, it's definitely worth consulting a dermatologist, who can prescribe the right course of treatment for your individual hyperpigmentation. Peels are among the most popular in-office treatments for hyperpigmentation, used in conjunction with topicals.
What is post acne hyperpigmentation?
Typically, acne hyperpigmentation affects both men and women of all skin types, particularly individuals prone to acne. These darkened spots can pop up in brown, red or pink color and appear on not just the face, but anywhere on the body. Post acne hyperpigmentation is also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation from acne to go away?
Dermatologists also recommend treating hyperpigmentation acne early. Early treatment can speed up the process of fading. People using treatments for hyperpigmentation acne should be aware that fading can take time. Some spots may fade without treatment, but this can take 6–12 months.
Can you treat acne and hyperpigmentation at the same time?
Azelaic acid Known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, azelaic acid may be a good option if you're dealing with both active acne and related hyperpigmentation. This may also work well for raised brown spots.
How do you treat hyperpigmentation after acne?
Azelaic acid is another medication used to treat acne and PIH. 1 It works by decreasing inflammation and speeding up cell turnover rates. People sometimes use azelaic acid along with glycolic acid or tretinoin. Some studies have shown azelaic acid to be as effective as hydroquinone at treating hyperpigmentation.
How long does it take to correct hyperpigmentation?
For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), without any treatment at all it can take anywhere from three months to two years for the discoloration to fade, depending on how dark the patches are, and even then it may not disappear completely.
Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades?
Yes. Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.
Does vitamin C help with hyperpigmentation?
It helps fade hyperpigmentation Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity of an enzyme known as tyrosinase. It's widely used in dermatology for depigmentation of hyperpigmented spots on the skin.
Does benzoyl peroxide make hyperpigmentation worse?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a characteristic of acne, and benzoyl peroxide does little to help. It can create significantly more hyperpigmentation, especially in medium to darker skin because of the irritation that it can cause.
Is salicylic acid good for hyperpigmentation?
Salicylic acid decreases postacne hyperpigmentation by its anti-inflammatory effects. Ahn and Kim[18] found salicylic acid to have a whitening effect on the skin as well. Mandelic acid also has a beneficial effect in improving skin pigmentation.
What can a dermatologist do for hyperpigmentation?
Dermatologists consider prescription-strength hydroquinone, alone or combined with other lighteners, to be the gold standard for fading dark spots because it slows the production of pigment. “It's our go-to,” says Dr.
Can I get rid of hyperpigmentation in 2 weeks?
It's important to target hyperpigmentation daily with professional formulas designed specifically to lighten pigmented spots and even overall skin tone. The good news is that fast results can be achieved in just two weeks!
How do you fade acne and hyperpigmentation fast?
Kojic acid Committing to a dark-spot-correcting serum with any and all of the brightening ingredients we mentioned before (vitamin c, retinol, tranexamic acid, kojic acid)—can significantly speed up the process and help fade dark spots even faster.
Why isnt my hyperpigmentation going away?
“The darker someone is and the worse the pigmentation, the longer it generally takes for hyperpigmentation to resolve.” Most products and ingredients take about six to eight weeks to show any results at all, so it's best to use one product consistently for that amount of time before you write it off completely.
What is the best treatment for hyperpigmentation?
Hydroquinone cream. Topical hydroquinone is an effective treatment for all types of hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone inhibits the production of melanin by interfering with the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that activates melanin production.
What is the best treatment for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation?
A successful approach to treating postinflammatory hyperpigmentation will usually involve a combination of products and treatments. Hydroquinone, vitamin C and aloe vera gel inhibit melanin production, which can lighten hyperpigmented areas of skin.
What is it called when you have a dark patch of skin?
Hyperpigmentation is a condition characterized by the appearance of scattered patches of skin that are darker in color than the surrounding skin. It is caused by the clustering of excess melanin—the pigment that gives skin its color—in certain areas. The form of hyperpigmentation that occurs following acne outbreaks is known as postinflammatory ...
How do retinoids help with skin?
Topical retinoids increase cell turnover, which helps to purge dark, hyperpigmented cells and encourages the growth of new, lighter-colored skin cells. Professional skin resurfacing procedures such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion also increase cell turnover.
What is the best treatment for PIH?
Tretinoin. Tretinoin is a prescription-strength retinoid that has been proven to reduce the appearance of PIH. It also plays a role in preventing PIH from developing by way of its acne-fighting effects, which include inhibiting comedone formation and reducing inflammation.
How long does it take for hydroquinone to work?
An effective treatment regimen usually consists of applying a thin layer of hydroquinone cream to the face once or twice daily for 3–6 months. Noticeable results may take anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on the severity of the hyperpigmentation and the strength of the cream.
What causes dark spots on the face?
Takeaway. Acne inflammation is one of the most common causes of PIH, a condition characterized by the appearance of scattered dark spots in the affected area of skin. While not serious, PIH is an aesthetic concern that can be difficult to treat. Those with dark skin are more likely to experience PIH.
How to treat hyperpigmentation due to acne?
The best way to tackle hyperpigmentation due to acne is by incorporating anti-inflammatory skincare products into your daily routine. 3. Micro Needling. Micro-needling is the process that involves using a stainless-steel roller covered with several tiny spokes to create a series of micro-injuries on your skin.
What is post acne hyperpigmentation?
Post acne hyperpigmentation emerges on the skin as a response to inflammation. It is one of the many ways your skin heals from wounds. [ 1] Typically, acne hyperpigmentation affects both men and women of all skin types, particularly individuals prone to acne.
How long does it take for acne scars to fade?
The time it takes to fade depends on the intensity and depth of trauma. Some spots may disappear within a month, while others take up to a year. To get a feel of recovery time, think of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne as a wound that scars over time. Your skin changes every day.
What is post acne scarring?
Often, people confuse the term post-acne hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. Acne scarring is used to describe any disturbance to the skin post-spot. While it's true that both post-acne hyperpigmentation and acne scarring can occur after a breakout, the two are very different. An acne scar occurs when there's a physical alteration in ...
What is the term for dark pigments on the skin?
Together, hyperpigmentation is an excess of pigment in the skin. When the production of melanin in your skin is more than usual, it manifests as patches, dark spots, discoloration, or darker skin. You can consider hyperpigmentation as a blanket term for darkened pigment. Your skin’s natural pigment or the production of melanin is ...
How to speed up post inflammatory acne?
Here are a few things you can do to speed up the healing process. 1. Sunscreen. While the sun isn’t the cause of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation acne, it can aggravate symptoms, darken the affected areas, and prolong the fading time.
Does hyperpigmentation increase blood flow?
This is where hyperpigmentation steps in. One of the first steps in the healing process is to increase blood flow to the wound site. And acne, to some extent, fits the definition of a minor skin wound, so blood flow increases when acne forms.
How to prevent hyperpigmentation?
The best way to prevent hyperpigmentation is to treat the acne itself, thus preventing future acne lesions and any hyperpigmentation that they might leave behind . 10 Acne is treated the same regardless of skin color and responds extremely well to proper topical treatment with benzoyl peroxide.
How long does hyperpigmentation last?
Hyperpigmentation is far more common in non-Caucasian skin, and can last for months, and sometimes even years, leading some people to confuse them with scars.
How to get rid of acne spots on face?
The 2 Most Important Things to Consider: 1 Keep these spots out of the sun, or wear sunscreen when you are in the sun. This will help them fade more quickly. 2 Don't pick at acne lesions. Picking can cause more hyperpigmentation than the acne itself.
Why do acne lesions turn red?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), the red/dark spots that are left behind after acne lesions heal, develops when the inflammation inherent in acne lesions causes skin cells to produce more melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. An increased amount of melanin makes the skin appear darker.
What is the best treatment for acne?
Retinoids: Tretinoin (Retin-A®), Adapalene (Differin®), or Tazarotene (Tazorac®) Most people are familiar with retinoids as prescription topical acne treatments. However, they can also be used to treat hyperpigmentation, and are typically used together with hydroquinone.
How to get rid of acne marks?
First, get your skin completely clear from active acne. This way you are preventing any future hyperpigmentation. Once you are clear, you can try a hyperpigmentation treatment to reduce the marks you might have. Topical treatments are the first choice for treating hyperpigmentation.
Does acne cause hyperpigmentation?
It is not the acne itself that causes hyperpigmentation. Rather it is the skin's inflammatory response to the acne. This inflammatory response leads to the production of additional skin pigment (melanin), which makes the skin appear darker. Fortunately, hyperpigmentation is not permanent and heals over time.
How to protect skin from hyperpigmentation?
Her guide to defending your skin against hyperpigmentation is as follows: "Firstly, wear a day cream with a minimum of SPF 30 daily (yes, even on those grey and drizzly days), increasing to Factor 50 in hotter climates to help to prevent UV damage-induced pigmentation—the main causative factor for hyperpigmentation.".
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade?
While some types of hyperpigmentation, like the sort that comes after you've popped a rather big spot, will slowly fade, this can still take months. And there are other types (like the kind produced by UV exposure) that will take a little coaxing for it ever to fade.
What happens when melanin is overproduced?
These pigment-producing cells that live at the dermo-epidermal junction and basal layers of our skin can become hyperactive if triggered and start overproducing melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation and sun spots," Sturnham breaks it down for us.
What does it mean when you wake up with brown patches on your forehead?
Hyperpigmentation is one of those annoying skincare concerns that seems to pop out from nowhere—it's as though you just wake up one morning and right there across your forehead, cheeks or chin is a smattering of brown-tinged patches that continue to taunt you every time you get even remotely close to a mirror.
Can hyperpigmentation be cured?
Yes, well, kind of. "Hyperpigmentation is multifactorial: There may be genetic, metabolic, hormonal and environmental factors, all acting as triggers," warns Sturnham, reminding us that there is no single therapy available that will completely cure hyperpigmentation.
How to treat hyperpigmentation?
The first line of treatment for hyperpigmentation is using topical products at home. “I often start with a topical regimen using prescription retinoids and noncomedogenic sun protection,” Dr Waldorf notes. “Depending on the needs of the patient, I may add a pigment-fighting topical antioxidant in the morning.” In addition to regular retinoid use, Dr. Mraz Robinson recommends adding alpha hydroxy acids to your skin-care routine. “Together, these will keep skin exfoliated, to even out the appearance of hyperpigmentation,” she says. “A vitamin C serum in the morning will also help, especially when paired with broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+, because sun exposure will worsen hyperpigmentation by further increasing excess melanin in the spots.” The major thing to remember when treating hyperpigmentation at home is to not overdo it—if you cause more inflammation, you can end up with even more hyperpigmentation.
Why does hyperpigmentation occur after acne?
While the exact cause of post-acne hyperpigmentation remains unknown, the working theory is that the inflammation causes a drop in skin’s melanin. “The bacteria and any dead skin cells and oil released into the skin by the ruptured follicle attract immune cells,” says Dr. Heidi Waldorf, a board-certified dermatologist in Nanuet, New York.
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Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces more melanin — the skin’s natural pigment. The affected areas may also appear as freckles or age spots.
What do dermatologists recommend for hyperpigmentation?
The AAD recommends that people use sunscreen to help clear dark spots and prevent new dark areas from forming. It is best to choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection and offers SPF 30 or higher.
How do you quickly fade hyperpigmentation?
Acne.org states that individuals should wear sunscreen and limit the time they expose their skin to the sun.
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade?
The AAD explains that dark spots can take 6-12 months to fade, and if the darker pigment is deep into the skin, healing may take years.
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology
- Hyperpigmentation is common among people of African, Asian, and Latino descent, as well as other forms of non-Caucasian skin.1-5Hyperpigmentation can also occur in Caucasian skin, albeit less frequently. UV light - the light from the rays of the sun - can make hyperpigmentation worse and cause it to remain longer. However, it is not clear whether UV light worsens acne itself, as re…
Society and culture
- Various forms of acne therapy, such as lasers and chemical peels are often mistakenly blamed for the creation of hyperpigmented marks, but it is the skin's inflammatory process that creates them.8Although people often call them scars, they are not permanent and will disappear with time. Nonetheless, they can cause intense distress. Often, people with hyperpigmentation descri…
Prevention
- How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation Picking at acne lesions is the worst culprit when it comes to creating hyperpigmentation. Absolutely do not pick at acne lesions. Properly pop a pimple only when it is ready to be popped, and then leave the lesion alone. Also, while it may seem intuitive to scrub marks away, harsh scrubbing will only prolong their duration and should be avoided. Be su…
Treatment
- First, get your skin completely clear from active acne. This way you are preventing any future hyperpigmentation. Once you are clear, you can try a hyperpigmentation treatment to reduce the marks you might have. Topical treatments are the first choice for treating hyperpigmentation. The treatments most commonly prescribed by dermatologists are hydr...
Results
- Retinoids typically take 8 to 12 weeks to produce maximum results. The frequency and concentration of retinoid therapy depends on the severity of hyperpigmentation and should be determined by a dermatologist.
Research
- Niacinamide, also known as Nicotinamide, is a B vitamin that can be administered topically, and is currently being investigated as a potential therapy for hyperpigmentation. One recent study tested a topical treatment containing niacinamide on people with hyperpigmentation due to a non-acne skin condition and found that two months of treatment reduced the hyperpigmentation.15 To da…
Medical uses
- Azelaic acid is another topical acne prescription that is sometimes used for PIH that works by slowing down the production of melanin. It is a gel that doctors normally prescribe in 20% concentration for PIH, applied twice a day. Azelaic acid is safe and effective for the treatment of both acne and PIH conditions in darker skin types. Common side effects include mild redness, s…
Side effects
- Superficial chemical peels, which include salicylic acid, Jessner's solution, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and glycolic acid cause the fewest side effects and the preferred choice of chemical peels for hyperpigmentation. Peels that penetrate more deeply into the skin, such as TCA peel, Jessner's/TCA combination peel and phenol, result in more serious side effects such as pain an…
Benefits
- Gentle Chemical Exfoliation. Over-the-counter glycolic acid products are available in strengths up to 10% and can provide gentler chemical \"peeling,\" which is better described as gentle chemical exfoliation. At lower percentages in over-the-counter products, glycolic acid does not cause the skin to visibly peel off in sheets like professionally administered chemical peels do, and instead …
Mechanism of action
- Microdermabrasion. Performed at salons and estheticians' offices, microdermabrasion helps remove the upper layers of skin cells. However, results are weak and abrading the skin can cause irritation, which perpetuates the acne cycle. Microdermabrasion should be avoided in acne-prone individuals.2-3