Hyperpigmentation can go away on its own, dependent on the cause, but it may take a long time to fade. Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely.
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.
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. These are available by prescription, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Whether or not post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is permanent depends on three things: How severe the trauma that caused the discolouration was. The skin colour of the person affected. How the skin is treated afterwards.
If it does not fade, a doctor may recommend: avoiding sun exposure. using a topical cream that contains zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or iron oxide. using another medication for other types of hyperpigmentation, such as hydroquinone.
Epidermal hypermelanosis will appear tan, brown, or dark brown and may take months to years to resolve without treatment. Hyperpigmentation within the dermis has a blue-gray appearance and may either be permanent or resolve over a protracted period of time if left untreated.
Hydroquinone. Topical HQ is regarded as the gold standard for the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation. HQ is a bleaching agent that acts by inhibiting tyrosinase to limit melanin production in the skin.
In some cases, hyperpigmentation may appear to darken before it starts to fade. This is because the pigmented cells that cause hyperpigmentation may become more active before they begin to break down and fade away. However, in other cases, hyperpigmentation may not darken before it fades.
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.
Hypopigmentation will usually go away after a few weeks or months. If you have pityriasis alba, psoriasis or eczema, hypopigmentation usually goes away on its own without treatment. It may take a few weeks or months. If hypopigmentation is a symptom of a skin condition, certain medications can treat it.
Hyperpigmentation is an extremely common and usually harmless skin condition where some areas of skin appear darker than others. It occurs when your skin produces too much melanin, the dark pigment responsible for giving humans different skin colors.
The Ingredient: Vitamin C
When Youll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.
By incorporating exfoliation into your skincare routine, it can lessen the symptoms of hyperpigmentation and often clear up your skin altogether. Exfoliation's primary role in this process is to reduce excess melanin by breaking up pigmented cells and shedding dead skin cells faster.
While you might know Retinols for their ability to treat other skin issues, they can actually be a very effective well to help improve the appearance of your hyperpigmentation. Retinols can help get your skin back to its clear, glowing self when used correctly and consistently.
The patch pattern can also help you determine if you have melasma or hyperpigmentation. "Hyperpigmentation is usually very focused, whereas melasma appears as broad patches with intervening areas of clearing," says Anthony Rossi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Darker areas of skin (or an area that tans more easily) occurs when you have more melanin or overactive melanocytes. Bronzing of the skin may sometimes be mistaken for a suntan. This skin discoloration often develops slowly, starting at the elbows, knuckles, and knees and spreading from there.
The key takeaway on hyperpigmentation
Sun damage is the number one cause of patches of hyperpigmentation, and you can do a lot to prevent sun damage by applying SPF and staying out of direct sunlight. To treat darker skin pigmentation, using products that contain ingredients such as retinol or Niacinamide can help.
The short answer is yes, but not always. Pigmentation can improve over time, but this will still depend on factors like the cause and severity of the condition. The contrast in color between the pigmentation and your natural complexion will also play a part.
The length of time it takes for PIH to fade depends on how dark the spot is compared to the surrounding skin. The bigger the contrast between the dark area and your natural skin tone, the longer it will take to fade. PIH doesn't always fade away on its own. In some cases, it's more or less permanent.
Hyperpigmentation is so difficult to treat because it lies within the deepest layers of our skin. It takes approximately 30 to 45 days for one layer of cells to cycle to the next phase in their life until it finally reaches the top layer of the epidermis in order to shed itself.
Hyperpigmentation can appear as brown, black, gray, red or pink spots or patches. The spots are sometimes called age spots, sun spots or liver spots. The spots can occur in just one area of the body or all over.