Cosmetic Help for Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation, a common skin disorder that results in dark spots or patches on the face or body, is caused by too much melanin in the skin. And while it’s usually harmless, it can make you self-conscious about your looks. The good news: There’s a lot that you and your dermatologist can do to correct or at least cover up hyperpigmentation.

• Wear sunscreen! Freckles and age spots can be prevented simply by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. The trick is to apply sunscreen early, often, and year round  even in the winter and even when it’s cloudy. Sunscreen may also keep existing hyperpigmentation from growing darker.
• Use a skin lightener. If your discoloration has appeared fairly recently within the last six months or so try an over-the-counter botanical skin lightener with bearberry (arbutin) or coffeeberry extract, both of which can fade recent hyperpigmentation.
• Consider something stronger. If you’ve had hyperpigmentation longer than six months, ask your dermatologist about a prescription-strength retinoid or skin lightener. Remember, the longer the spot has been there, the tougher it’ll be to make it fade.
• Use a primer. Worn under makeup, this liquid cosmetic comes in different colors to target different problems. For example, an apricot primer can make darkened skin appear lighter, while a green shade helps neutralize redness. Primers also help your makeup go on more smoothly and evenly and provide even better coverage against the sun.
• Know the facts on foundation. If you’ve got a spot you’d like to hide, opt for a liquid foundation over a powder. And if you have acne or oily skin, steer clear of oil-based foundations and stick with water-based instead.
• Get a good concealer. Thicker and more opaque than foundation, concealers are a better choice for covering dark acne scars and melasma. Start slowly  you don’t want to look like you’ve spackled your skin. Once the spot is camouflaged, dust the area lightly with loose mineral-based powder to set it. Mineral powder looks a bit more natural than foundation and won’t clog your pores.
•   Skin lightening : Darkened skin can be lightened, or bleached, with prescription-strength skin lighteners, retinoids, or vitamin A derivatives.
• Laser therapy:: If your hyperpigmentation doesn’t respond to the treatments listed above, laser therapy may be the answer. During the procedure, your practitioner uses a laser to create microscopic “wounds” within the targeted areas, well beneath the outermost layer of skin. This in turn triggers the body’s natural healing process, accelerating the production of collagen and new, healthy skin cells.