Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is defined as areas of skin that have darkened and become more pigmented. It is commonly caused by injury, sun damage, or hormones. Once it appears, it commonly stays for months, years, or your lifetime. If hyperpigmentation is one of your primary concerns, it's important to support your skin's natural ability to metabolize damaged pigmented skin cells and prevent future damage at the same time through a strong skincare routine. When building your at-home routine to combat hyperpigmentation, we recommend you consider these facts:

• Sometimes pigmentation is caused by hormones from pregnancy or birth control, for example. It can be diagnosed by a dermatologist as melasma. This condition can be managed with proper home care and lasers but can often flare up again throughout your life. It's important to remind yourself that even though melasma can be annoying, you are still so beautiful with or without it flaring. The best things you can do are: be consistent with products that lift and prevent pigmentation, keep your skin cool as heat commonly triggers flare-ups, and be patient.

• Tyrosinase inhibitors are one of the most important ingredient types to have in your routine. These ingredients slow down or block the production of melanin (pigmentation) within the skin. They work immediately to inhibit pigment production. To see changes in your pigmentation's appearance, it takes 6-36 weeks of consistent use. Common Ingredients to look for are

  • Hydroquinone (Topical Prescription)

  • 4-n-Butylresorcinol

  • Thiamidol

  • Tranexamic Acid

  • Kojic Acid

• To support and accelerate the pigmentation lifting off your skin, we recommend looking for products that also have the following ingredients:

  • Vitamin C

  • Niacinamide

  • Azelaic Acid

  • Alpha Arbutin

  • Retinol (Do Not Use in Combination with Vitamin C. Start slow and work into daily use over time)

Products I Personally & Honestly Recommend

Please note everyone's skin reacts differently, and these may not be your skin's favorite. We recommend looking for products within the brands your skin already loves that contain the beneficial ingredients listed before trying new product lines.

Musely Pigmentation Creams

Musely is an online prescriber of prescription-strength creams to manage and treat stubborn pigmentation. They have different creams that contain and do not contain hydroquinone. Use caution and focus on hydration when starting as it may cause sensitivity or dryness.

Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Corrective serum containing 4-n-Butylresorcinol, Tranexamic Acid and Glycolic Acid to improve hyperpigmentation. Highly rated. Start slowly, use once per week and gradually increase until using daily with no irritation.

Daily Sheet Masks that contain Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, and Glutathione to fade and prevent pigmentation, Centella extracts to soothe your skin, and multiple hydrators like squalene and hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin.

VT COSMETICS TX Toning Daily Sheet Mask