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What is it?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess pigment causes dark spots or patches to form on the skin, making it appear uneven compared to your natural skin tone. It can be triggered by medical conditions, skin issues, environmental factors, or hormonal imbalances.
What causes it?
Many people with dark spots have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which happens after the skin gets damaged. This could be from acne, rashes, or burns. When the skin heals, it makes extra melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. After the healing, this extra melanin can stay in the skin, causing dark spots.
What kinds of hyperpigmentation are there?
Post-Inflammatory aka Acne Scars
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), often called acne scars, are the dark spots left behind after a breakout or skin irritation heals. In darker skin tones, they appear dark brown or purple-ish in tone, while lighter skin tones may have brown, purple, and red marks.
Age Spots aka Sun or Liver Spots
Over exposure to sunlight (especially UVB rays) over time damage skin cells that creates small, flat dark areas on the skin that usually appear on parts of the body frequently exposed to the sun(face, hands, shoulders, arms). Dark spots get even darker in the sun and new ones form as a result of the sun damage. As natural aging progresses, hyperpigmentation may rapidly appear that can be traced back to sun damage from years past.
Melasma
The most complicated type of hyperpigmentation. It appears as brown or gray-ish blotchy patches of discoloration. Connected to hormone fluctuation in the body, Melasma affects primarily women and can occur in relation to pregnancy, hormonal medications and certain medications with phototoxic or pigment-producing side effects.
How do I prevent hyperpigmentation?
The most important aspect of a hyperpigmentation routine is stopping the production of excess melanin at its source. Melanocytes, the cells that make skin pigment, produce melanin via the tyrosinase enzyme. There are certain skincare products that are available with key ingredients to do this. Tyrosinase inhibitors can be combined with other skincare ingredients to support healthy melanin production, even the skin tone, and prevent hyperpigmentation.
Tyrosinase inhibitors include:
Niacinamide
Azelaic Acid
Vitamin C
Arbutin
Licorice Root Extract
The biggest preventative measure you can do is SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN! Wearing sunscreen every day with broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+ is non-negotiable if you want dark spots to fade (and don’t want new ones!).
Hyperpigmentation is one of the most complicated skin concerns to treat, but with an intentional skincare routine dedicated to correcting and preventing, along with certain treatments, transformational results are possible!
How to Treat Hyperpigmentation in the Clinic
Depending on the type and severity of your hyperpigmentation, we offer a range of treatments designed to help fade or even eliminate dark spots. The number of sessions needed can vary from person to person, and individual results may differ.
Chemical Peels
Exfoliates the top layers of skin to reveal fresh, even-toned skin beneath.
Derma Needling
IPL
Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Pixel Laser Resurfacing
Spectra Melasma Treatment
Laser Pigmentation Removal
How to Treat Hyperpigmentation at Home
For optimal results, apply skincare products that block tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for producing melanin, twice daily. These key inhibitors not only reduce the appearance of dark spots but also prevent new ones from forming. By accelerating the skin’s natural cell turnover, they help lift excess pigment and allow brightening ingredients to work more effectively. For an extra boost, incorporate weekly exfoliation into your routine. This helps shed dead skin cells that cling to the surface, revealing fresher, more even-toned skin underneath.
Here are some great skincare items we recommend to protect against future damage and help recapture a natural healthy glow.
Vivier Radiance Serum
A multi-purpose antioxidant serum designed to target mild to moderately uneven skin tone while reducing the signs of aging. Formulated with Arbutin and Resorcinol to stimulate cellular turnover and naturally brighten the look of dark spots and 8% Vitamin C to reduce the look of fine lines. Skin looks radiant, with a more even tone and texture.
Vivier Skin Brightening Cream
An effective skin brightening cream for mild pigmentation, uneven skin tone and sun damage. Arbutin and Resorcinol lighten darkened areas and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin is left with a more even tone and texture.
Vivier Corrector 2
An effective skin brightening cream for lightening moderate to severe dark spots, age spots, sun spots and uneven skin tone. Formulated with 2% Hydroquinone, USP and Vitamin C to lighten and correct darkened areas. Skin is left with a more even tone and texture.
Vivier Retinol (0.3%, 0.5% & 1%)
A powerful yet gentle retinol complex designed to target advanced skin concerns. Industry leading Technology encapsulate high potency pure retinol and gently release it over time, additional Vitamin C & E help to visibly reduce deep lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, discoloration and texture, blemishes, and acne-prone skin without the irritation and redness.
Have questions? Curious about your skin? We offer free consultations where we can chat about all your skincare concerns! Whether it's about fading those dark spots, removing unwanted hair or anything in between, we're here to help you find the perfect treatment plan!
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