Does exfoliating make hyperpigmentation worse?

You're exfoliating too harshly.

“Patients sometimes try to aggressively exfoliate dark spots to fade them, but that can often make the problem worse,” says Dr. Choudhury. “Too much scrubbing can darken the hyperpigmentation.”

Is exfoliating good for hyperpigmentation?

Exfoliation is beneficial for breaking up the pigmented cells to allow them to fade. Combined with a skin-lightening agent like vitamin C, exfoliation will help accelerate the fading process. Look for facial scrubs that use gentle round beads and mild-exfoliating acids, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

Can exfoliating cause hyperpigmentation?

Over-exfoliation causes microscopic tears and abrades the skin, especially if a scrub contains granules with irregular edges (crushed walnut shells or apricot pits), has a high pH, or if too much pressure is used. This can lead to severe hyperpigmentation with any method of exfoliation, friction or scrubbing action.

What can worsen hyperpigmentation?

Triggers include sun exposure, hormonal changes, and trauma to the skin, for example, due to acne or an injury. Picking at scabs and spots may make it worse. Some face creams can irritate the skin, leading to further hyperpigmentation.

Does exfoliating lighten dark spots?

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface of skin - and you may be wondering, does exfoliating remove dark spots? Well, sadly they won't be completely gone, but exfoliation will help to diminish the appearance of dark spots.

Tips for Dark Spots, Hyperpigmentation, and Melasma

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 hyperpigmentation eventually fade?

The good news is PIH will eventually go away, even if left untreated. Since these spots are caused by melanin production, the affected skin will shed like all skin cells. On its own, PIH will generally resolve within two years.

Why is my hyperpigmentation not going away?

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.

How do you fade hyperpigmentation fast?

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.

Can hyperpigmentation be cured completely?

There are many treatments that can remove existing pigmentation, but they may not be a permanent cure. To keep pigmentation away in the long-term, you will need some maintenance.

How often should I exfoliate hyperpigmentation?

Past the teen years, skin takes 20-40 days to renew itself, so using an exfoliator once a week is fine – encouraged, even. But mechanical exfoliation – that's loofahs, scrubs or microdermabrasion – can irritate the skin to the point of increasing or triggering post-inflammatory pigmentation.

What helps heal hyperpigmentation?

Does exfoliating fade tan?

Gently exfoliating the skin will help remove pigmented dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin. This can reduce the appearance of the tan.

Does salicylic acid get rid of 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.

How do you fix hyperpigmentation naturally?

Aloe vera contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been shown to lighten skin and work effectively as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment, according to a 2012 study. To use: Apply pure aloe vera gel to pigmented areas before bedtime. Rinse using warm water the next morning.

How long does dark spots take to fade?

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.

Does steaming your face help with hyperpigmentation?

Facial Steaming:

Steaming can help you get rid of dead skin cells and also treats unclogged pores, thereby, resulting in the removal of dirt and grime. Boil some water in a pan, sit about 10 inches away from the pan and cover your head with a towel to let the maximum steam reach your face.

Can vitamin C make pigmentation worse?

When vitamin C is exposed to light it becomes unstable, the consequences include irritation, inflammation and acne. All of these can cause post inflammatory pigmentation, leaving you worse off than when you started.

Is my hyperpigmentation permanent?

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.

Why is my pigmentation getting darker?

Darkened areas on the skin are the main symptoms of hyperpigmentation. Patches can vary in size and develop anywhere on the body. The biggest risk factors for general hyperpigmentation are sun exposure and inflammation, as both situations can increase melanin production.

Is vitamin C serum good for pigmentation?

It helps fade hyperpigmentation

Since it impedes melanin production, vitamin C can actually fade hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation — including sunspots, age spots, and melasma — occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain areas of the skin. It can also happen in areas where acne has healed.

Does Vaseline help hyperpigmentation?

Vaseline does not by itself make post-laser treatment hyperpigmentation better or worse. However, their use as a post-laser healing ointment may be indirectly associated with lower PIH risk indirectly. This is because they help in wound healing as petroleum jelly can prevent wounds from drying out.

What does hyperpigmentation look like on dark skin?

What does hyperpigmentation look like on Black skin? Hyperpigmentation will appear as a mark, spot, or area that's noticeably darker than your surrounding skin. The exact color of a hyperpigmented spot can depend on what's causing it to occur, as well as on your individual skin tone.

What do dermatologists recommend 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.