Kojic acid It reduces hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the production of free tyrosinase and is also a potent antioxidant. [15] Kojic acid (KA) is used at concentrations ranging from 1% to 4%.
Retinol is one of the best ingredients to treat hyperpigmentation due to its ability to speed up cell turnover. Azelaic acid is another ingredient that brightens the skin, but is gentler, making it great for those with sensitive skin.
Dermatologists consider products with hydroquinone, alone or combined with other lighteners, to be the gold standard for fading dark spots because it slows the production of pigment.
In this case, turning to dermatological procedures will work as the fastest way to get rid of hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to rid skin of hyperpigmentation.
exfoliate. This is the first step to speed up cell turnover and remove the damaged, overly pigmented and dead skin cells. Using a gentle yet effective chemical exfoliator like with Quick Refiner every night will also help your skin to absorb the key ingredients of the brightening products much better.
As well as treating acne, azelaic acid is also a skin-lightening agent that's useful for fading post-acne marks, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade? Once what's causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years.
Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely. If hyperpigmentation is caused by injury, then as the skin heals the discoloration will lessen as melanin is absorbed into the tissue surrounding the injury.
In the clinical studies, niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use. Conclusions: The data suggest niacinamide is an effective skin lightening compound that works by inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes.
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.
Urban Skin Rx's Even Tone Cleansing Bar is our best overall pick for its dermatologist recommended formula that contains azelaic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide—all actives that have been proven to fade spots.
But does retinol work better without AHA or BHA exfoliants? In short, no. Research has actually shown that retinol combined with exfoliants (like AHAs) helps to fade hyperpigmentation in skin, and improves the results you get from both ingredients.
AHAs, such as glycolic and lactic acid, may be effective in treating changes in skin color such as melasma, solar lentigines, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Experts believe that the quicker action of AHA makes it a better option for improving skin color than BHA-containing products.
Chemical peels and laser treatments work quickly on hyperpigmentation by forcing the skin to heal itself and push the overly-pigmented cells to the surface to be shed. “Lasers for benign pigmentation can reduce the appearance of lesions that tend to be a distraction for some.
Dark spots, hyperpigmentation, melasma, even discoloration left by acne are all forms of excess melanin. Exfoliation helps to reduce the excess melanin by breaking up the pigmented cells and sloughing them off.
Topical retinoids are highly effective in treating acne and can also improve hyperpigmentation due to their anti-inflammatory properties. For patients with sensitive skin, the newer lotions may be less irritating than older retinoid formulations.
However, despite the speed and ease with which dark spots can form on the face, glycolic acid offers consumers an excellent and affordable option to fade dark spots, in as little as four weeks.
Vitamin C protects skin cells from free radicals and inhibits melanin production in the skin, which helps to ease hyperpigmentation, brown spots, even skin tone, and improve skin radiance.
For as long as kojic acid skincare is used, a person's natural skin tone can be lightened. This brightness will not reverse as soon as you stop using kojic acid skincare, but instead will take months to return.
Glycolic acid can be an effective ingredient for reducing hyperpigmentation. However, strong or irritating skin care products can also cause hyperpigmentation. It is especially important for people who are prone to hyperpigmentation to use nonirritating, gentle exfoliants.
Phenol: Reserved for a deep peel, this is the strongest acid. It's effective for deep wrinkles, scars, severe sun damage, and even pre-cancerous growths.