Dark marks, dark spots & more: hyperpigmentation, demystified.
Dark spots have a major influence on how old people think we are. In fact, one study showed that unbalanced skin tone can make a person look more than 20 years older! The big questions: where do dark spots come from, and what can you do about them?
It helps to understand the science behind dark spots and brown spots. The official term for dark spots and other forms of skin discoloration is hyperpigmentation. Unlike freckles, hyperpigmentation doesn’t fade in winter and becomes more visible as we age.
But what causes it? Irregular production of melanin (the brown or reddish pigment in skin). Certain triggers – unprotected sun exposure in particular – cause this irregular production, which leads to surface color-clumping. Other causes include hormonal factors (birth control pills and pregnancy), and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) caused by past trauma or scarring (think a popped pimple or a deep cut). Hormonal hyperpigmentation and PIH are both intensified by sun exposure.
So, what to do about it? Here’s how to figure out what’s causing your dark spots – and take action.
call in the experts
Ask a Dermalogica skin therapist for a free Face Mapping skin analysis and consultation to get to the root of your dark spots. Knowing your personal triggers will reveal the best treatment. They can even recommend professional treatments to help you fade dark spots faster! Check out our online Face Mapping analysis for a virtual solution.
apply spf daily
Did you know that spending just 30 minutes unprotected in the sun can undo a month’s worth of effort in fighting hyperpigmentation? Sunscreen helps prevent UV-induced pigmentation, and it also helps prevent existing spots from becoming more intense. Wear it daily to make the most of the treatments you try. Find the right sun protection for your skin here.
know your ingredients
There are a number of ingredients that can help address hyperpigmentation, but Niacinamide and Hexylresorcinol stand out as two of the most powerful.
Hexylresorcinol is a potent active that can lead to decreased production of melanin, and Niacinamide has been found to significantly decrease hyperpigmentation. Both Niacinamide and Hexylresorcinol help fade the look of uneven pigmentation for more luminous skin. Try our new powerbright dark spot peel, inspired by professional chemical peels, this fast-acting at-home peel helps visibly lift surface hyperpigmentation.
be patient
There’s no quick fix for hyperpigmentation: it can take at least 30 days of skin care treatment (with sunscreen use) before you see any progress. Additionally, some spots may look darker before they lighten; this is because they gradually rise to the skin’s surface as you continue to exfoliate. But stick with it, and you’ll eventually see fewer, smaller dark spots!
Fade spots to bright with powerbright dark spot serum, bringing together a powerful combination of Niacinamide and Hexylresorcinol — both of which have been shown to deliver significant improvement on even skin tone and dark spots in just one week. This advanced serum’s breakthrough technology begins to diminish the appearance of uneven pigmentation fast, and keeps working to even skin tone over time. It brings a new way to address hyperpigmentation, providing both fast and long-term benefits for your skin.
