Hyperpigmentation refers to patches of skin that become darker than the surrounding areas of skin.
It can happen due to the overproduction of melanin in the skin by melanocytes. It is a broad term that
covers both post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Causes of Hyperpigmentation?
- Age Spots / Sun Spots: These are brown dots that appear on your skin and are usually caused due to sun exposure or aging. The lighter your skin tone, the more prone you are to
getting these. - Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) – This is a temporary hyperpigmentation that occurs after an injury or wound that results in inflammation of the skin.
- Melasma: This is the condition that can lead to brown discolored patches on the face. These patches are symmetrical (they appear on both sides of the face) and are usually caused due to stress, hormones and thyroid diseases or during pregnancy.
- Acne scars: Sometimes after a pimple subsides or disappears, it leaves a mark on your skin that may be caused due to overproduction of melanin in one specific spot leading to acne
scars.
Best ways to get rid of Hyperpigmentation
There are quite a few options available that work to neutralize the excess melanin production and also help to get rid of hyperpigmentation. All types of hyperpigmentation that make up the darker skin tone area can be lightened back to normal natural skin tone.
The very first option to even up the skin tone is to use an over-the-counter lightening product for this type of skin condition. One should choose a product that contains moisturizing agents in it so as to avoid dry skin as well as to encourage cell turnover. Ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid will help to boost the growth of skin cells and can also restore the lipid barrier in the skin thereby protecting it from sun rays.
Oral Supplements for Hyperpigmentation
Oral supplements like oral sunscreens, carotenoids , tranexamic acid , vitamin C and glutathione are effective in clearing pigmentation. Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity of an enzyme known as tyrosinase. It’s widely used in dermatology for reducing pigmentation of hyperpigmented spots on the skin.
A significant skin lightening was observed after 12 weeks of oral supplementation with a combination of L-Cystine and L-Glutathione. This combination also induced a significant reduction in the size of facial dark spots after 6 and 12 weeks. It is noteworthy that the observed effects were not only significantly better than those obtained with placebo, but also with L-Cystine alone or L Glutathione alone .
Use of Cosmeceuticals in Skin Care
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids: AHA usually help to peel off dead skin cells so as to smoothen the skin. It also helps to promote cell turnover as they even out the skin tone.
- Vitamin A products: These come in form of Retinol and tretinoin that aid in skin rejuvenation
and also help to promote cell turnover.
Kojic acid: Kojic acid is the best treatment for hyperpigmentation and proves to be more effective when it is used with hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Kojic acid works by interfering with the production of excess melanin.
Reference:
- Baker SJ, Ignatius M, Johnson S, Vaish SK. Hyperpigmentation of skin. British Medical Journal. 1963 Jun 6;1(5347):1713.
- Desai SR. Hyperpigmentation therapy: a review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. 2014 Aug;7(8):13.
- Zhu W, Gao J. The use of botanical extracts as topical skin-lightening agents for the improvement of skin pigmentation disorders. InJournal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings 2008 Apr 1 (Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 20-24). Elsevier.
- Baumann L. How to use oral and topical cosmeceuticals to prevent and treat skin aging. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics. 2018 Nov 1;26(4):407-13.
- https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/french-grape-and-melon-formula-improves-skin radiance
- Dumoulin M, Gaudout D, Lemaire B. Clinical effects of an oral supplement rich in antioxidants on skin radiance in women. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology. 2016;9:315.
- The effects of the oral supplementation of L-Cystine associated with reduced L-Glutathione GSH on human skin pigmentation: a randomized, double-blinded, benchmark- and placebo controlled clinical trial
