Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentsWhere to Treat SkinSide EffectsAlternative ProceduresFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatments
Where to Treat Skin
Side Effects
Alternative Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperpigmentation develops when your skin produces too much melanin, the substance that gives your skin its color. Areas ofpigmentationcan develop after injuries, too much sun, or a variety of other issues.
While you might not like the appearance of these areas, they are usually not harmful to your health. Most people who try to treat these areas do it for aesthetic, not medical, reasons.
In this article, you’ll learn which factors can causehyperpigmentation, the steps you can take to help lighten hyperpigmented areas of your skin, and how to prevent skin discoloration in the first place.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentationdevelops when the body is triggered to make more of a substance calledmelaninthat gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color. This issue is more common in people with medium to dark skin tones but it can happen to anyone.
Some possible causes of hyperpigmentation include:
Dark Spots: Causes and Ways to Get Rid of Them
Hyperpigmentation Treatments to Try
Treating the underlying condition that has caused your hyperpigmentation is the first step in reducing the appearance of dark spots. Autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions likeAddison’s diseasehave to be managed properly before symptoms like hyperpigmentation can be expected to clear.
If you have managed to address the underlying issue and you are still struggling with hyperpigmentation, there are a number of options for treatment. Treatment of hyperpigmentation isn’t curative, and it’s usually not even necessary. Certain chronic or acute medical problems likeAddison’s diseaseor hormone changes can cause hyperpigmentation as a symptom, but the discoloration that is created isn’t a problem in itself.
Benefits of Treating Hyperpigmentation
Talk with your healthcare provider about what is causing your skin discoloration and how you can best benefit from treatment.
Lightening Creams
There are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription-strength products that can lighten the skin, although experts caution to steer clear of using liquid bleach in any form to lighten your skin.
Instead of bleach, many of these products contain topical skin-bleaching agents and include ingredients like:
Hydroquinone interferes with melanin production and was historically used as a photo developer, and fluocinolone acetonide is atopical corticosteroidused to treat inflammation. Both of these products can be effective in treating hyperpigmentation but are not without side effects like burning or irritation.Salicylic acid, dimethicone, and titanium dioxide are commonly found in a variety of skincare products and have several uses.
Talk to your primary care provider or dermatologist about skin-bleaching products, especially if you develop side effects like burning or irritation while using them.
Skin Lightening Cream: How Does It Work?
Retinoids
Retinols are a specific type of retinoid that can help even out skin tone, texture, and pigmentation. They are available in prescription-strength formulations, as well as in a variety of OTC skin care products.
Be aware that these products work well but come with risks. Retinoids make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so they should always be paired with sunscreen. Dermatology experts also suggest starting with products that contain the lowest concentration of retinoid.
Retinol vs. Retin-A (Tretinoin): What’s the Difference?
Chemical Peel
Unlike daily skin care products or creams, a chemical peel is applied as individual treatment and should not be used daily. There is a wide variety of chemical peel preparations, and you should see a professional aesthetician or talk to your dermatologist about the best choice for treating your hyperpigmentation. Using chemical peels too often or in the wrong strength can be damaging or irritating to your skin.
Some of the more common compounds used in chemical peels include:
What to Expect From a Salicylic Acid Peel
Laser Peel
Hyperpigmentation can be complicated to treat with lasers, however, so it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about whether this treatment is a good option for you.
Red Light Therapy Benefits and Risks
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasionis a treatment that involves using a device or crystallized substance to physically remove the top layer of your skin. Much like chemical peels, these treatments are usually used to help treat superficial damage and even out skin tone.
Microdermabrasion Process and Benefits
Hyperpigmentation Home RemediesHome remedies aren’t particularly effective in treating problems with hyperpigmentation. Although you can try at-home treatments using fruit-based preparations, you will usually notice more significant results faster with OTC or prescription products that use the same types of ingredients in much more concentrated doses.
Hyperpigmentation Home Remedies
Home remedies aren’t particularly effective in treating problems with hyperpigmentation. Although you can try at-home treatments using fruit-based preparations, you will usually notice more significant results faster with OTC or prescription products that use the same types of ingredients in much more concentrated doses.
Where on Your Body Can Treatment Take Place?
You can develop hyperpigmentation on any area of your body, but many people who seek treatment tend to want to treat facial discoloration.Melasma, a type of hyperpigmentation that can develop during pregnancy, is one example.
Discuss your treatment plan with your healthcare provider, especially if you are concerned about using treatments designed for other areas of the body on your face. The skin on your face is more delicate than on other parts of the body, and irritation could develop if the products you are using on your face were designed for other uses.
Who’s a Candidate for Treating Hyperpigmentation?
Talk to your healthcare provider about your specific skin concerns and how to best treat your hyperpigmentation.
What Are the Side Effects?
Side effects of treatments designed for hyperpigmentation depend on the type you choose. Topical creams and lotions can cause skin irritation or redness. Laser treatments and other clinical therapies also have the potential to make the problem worse, creating new dark spots or damage.
Talk with your healthcare provider about the best treatments for your skin type. You may also want to address any other underlying conditions that could be contributing to hyperpigmentation or you may not get results from your chosen therapy.
Topical Steroid Side Effects
Understanding why you are developing hyperpigmentation is often the first step in treating the discoloration.
Preventing Hyperpigmentation
The Proper Way to Apply Sunscreen
Summary
Hyperpigmentation occurs when your skin gets darker in areas where too much melanin is produced. These dark areas are not usually harmful, but people sometimes want to treat them for cosmetic reasons.
If you choose to remove darker areas from your skin, there are prescription and over-the-counter products and procedures, but you may see better results if you enlist the help of a dermatologist or other trained professional.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are many reasons your skin changes color or tone. In some cases, hyperpigmentation can be cured or may even fade on its own in time. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is causing your skin discoloration to find the most effective treatment.Learn MoreSkin Discoloration: Causes and TreatmentsMany of the treatments used for hyperpigmentation will only work as long as treatment continues. Some treatments, like laser therapy or chemical peels, are intended to have more long-lasting effects.Learn MoreWhat Is Red Light Therapy?The cost of your treatment will depend on what type of therapy you are using, and what type of medical coverage you have. OTC lotions and creams can vary in price, but clinical procedures like laser treatments can cost much more. Your insurance coverage of more in-depth treatment may depend on what caused the problem, what symptoms it is causing you, and your individual insurance coverage.Learn MoreDoes Insurance Cover Plastic Surgery?
There are many reasons your skin changes color or tone. In some cases, hyperpigmentation can be cured or may even fade on its own in time. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is causing your skin discoloration to find the most effective treatment.Learn MoreSkin Discoloration: Causes and Treatments
There are many reasons your skin changes color or tone. In some cases, hyperpigmentation can be cured or may even fade on its own in time. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is causing your skin discoloration to find the most effective treatment.
Learn MoreSkin Discoloration: Causes and Treatments
Many of the treatments used for hyperpigmentation will only work as long as treatment continues. Some treatments, like laser therapy or chemical peels, are intended to have more long-lasting effects.Learn MoreWhat Is Red Light Therapy?
Many of the treatments used for hyperpigmentation will only work as long as treatment continues. Some treatments, like laser therapy or chemical peels, are intended to have more long-lasting effects.
Learn MoreWhat Is Red Light Therapy?
The cost of your treatment will depend on what type of therapy you are using, and what type of medical coverage you have. OTC lotions and creams can vary in price, but clinical procedures like laser treatments can cost much more. Your insurance coverage of more in-depth treatment may depend on what caused the problem, what symptoms it is causing you, and your individual insurance coverage.Learn MoreDoes Insurance Cover Plastic Surgery?
The cost of your treatment will depend on what type of therapy you are using, and what type of medical coverage you have. OTC lotions and creams can vary in price, but clinical procedures like laser treatments can cost much more. Your insurance coverage of more in-depth treatment may depend on what caused the problem, what symptoms it is causing you, and your individual insurance coverage.
Learn MoreDoes Insurance Cover Plastic Surgery?
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: A review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.Sarkar R, Arora P, Garg KV.Cosmeceuticals for hyperpigmentation: What is available?J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013;6(1):4-11. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.110089MedlinePlus.Fluocinolone topical.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hydroquinone.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Retinoid or retinol?.Sarkar R, Bansal S, Garg VK.Chemical peels for melasma in dark-skinned patients.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2012;5(4):247-253. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.104912Arora P, Sarkar R, Garg VK, Arya L.Lasers for treatment of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. June 2012;5(2):93-103. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.99436Wunsch A, Matuschka K.A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase.Photomed Laser Surg.February 2014;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616.Shah M, Crane JS.Microdermabrasion.StatPearls.MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hyperpigmentation.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: A review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.Sarkar R, Arora P, Garg KV.Cosmeceuticals for hyperpigmentation: What is available?J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013;6(1):4-11. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.110089MedlinePlus.Fluocinolone topical.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hydroquinone.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Retinoid or retinol?.Sarkar R, Bansal S, Garg VK.Chemical peels for melasma in dark-skinned patients.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2012;5(4):247-253. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.104912Arora P, Sarkar R, Garg VK, Arya L.Lasers for treatment of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. June 2012;5(2):93-103. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.99436Wunsch A, Matuschka K.A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase.Photomed Laser Surg.February 2014;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616.Shah M, Crane JS.Microdermabrasion.StatPearls.MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hyperpigmentation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: A review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.Sarkar R, Arora P, Garg KV.Cosmeceuticals for hyperpigmentation: What is available?J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013;6(1):4-11. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.110089MedlinePlus.Fluocinolone topical.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hydroquinone.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Retinoid or retinol?.Sarkar R, Bansal S, Garg VK.Chemical peels for melasma in dark-skinned patients.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2012;5(4):247-253. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.104912Arora P, Sarkar R, Garg VK, Arya L.Lasers for treatment of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. June 2012;5(2):93-103. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.99436Wunsch A, Matuschka K.A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase.Photomed Laser Surg.February 2014;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616.Shah M, Crane JS.Microdermabrasion.StatPearls.MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hyperpigmentation.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.
Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: A review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.
Sarkar R, Arora P, Garg KV.Cosmeceuticals for hyperpigmentation: What is available?J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013;6(1):4-11. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.110089
MedlinePlus.Fluocinolone topical.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hydroquinone.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Retinoid or retinol?.
Sarkar R, Bansal S, Garg VK.Chemical peels for melasma in dark-skinned patients.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2012;5(4):247-253. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.104912
Arora P, Sarkar R, Garg VK, Arya L.Lasers for treatment of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. June 2012;5(2):93-103. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.99436
Wunsch A, Matuschka K.A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase.Photomed Laser Surg.February 2014;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616.
Shah M, Crane JS.Microdermabrasion.StatPearls.
MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Hyperpigmentation.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
