How to get rid of Dark Spots fast: The Best Hyperpigmentation Treatment

How to get rid of Dark Spots fast: The Best Hyperpigmentation Treatment

Dark spots are annoying. They can last for years until they naturally go away on their own (if they ever do!). Fortunately, there are different treatments for hyperpigmentation that you can use from home. This article will explain what dark spots are and what treatment is the best option to finally get rid of them.

What causes dark spots on the face?

Dark spots on the face or body occur when the skin over produces the pigment that gives skin its color, melanin. This is known as hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation can develop due to:

  • aging
  • hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause
  • sun exposure

Skin damage can also cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). People may develop PIH due to:

  • acne
  • bites, cuts, and burns
  • excessive or incorrect hair removal techniques
  • ingrown hairs
  • harsh skin care products
  • scarring from psoriasis or other skin conditions

Hyperpigmentation is not the only cause of dark spots on the face. For this reason, it is important for a person to speak with a doctor if they notice any changes to existing moles or dark spots — particularly changes in texture, color, and size.

Home remedies to get rid of dark spots

Many products and online sources claim that various home remedies can fade hyperpigmentation. Some examples of these include:

  • Aloe vera gel
  • Beta carotene
  • Green tea
  • Pomegranate extract
  • Soy milk
  • Tea tree oil
  • Turmeric
  • Lemon juice

However, there is limited or no evidence to back up most of these claims.

Some home remedies for dark spots can be harmless, but others may cause damage to the skin.

For example, lemon juice is very acidic and too harsh to use undiluted. Similarly, people should not use undiluted essential oils on the skin.

Choosing a treatment for Hyperpigmentation

How a person uses products for hyperpigmentation will depend on a number of factors. The following sections will look at these in more detail.

Skin tone

People with dark skin tones need to exercise caution when using treatments for hyperpigmentation. This is because using the wrong product or a highly concentrated product can lighten other areas of the skin. 

The  American Academy of Dermatologists recommends the following treatments for dark spots in skin of color:

  • Alpha arbutin
  • Kojic acid
  • Vitamin c
  • azelaic acid
  • glycolic acid
  • retinoids, such as retinol, tretinoin, adapalene gel, or tazarotene

Underlying conditions

People may need to address skin conditions that are causing hyperpigmentation in order to prevent dark spots from appearing.

For example, if a person has PIH as a result of acne, treatment can focus on fading discoloration as well as preventing acne and acne scarring.

Treatment may involve:

  • BHAs, which can both fade discoloration over time and help treat acne
  • retinoids, which people can use topically or orally
  • diet or lifestyle changes

Sun damage

If a person has dark spots as a result of sun damage, they should add an effective sunscreen to their skin care routine. Sunscreen stops the darkening of existing hyperpigmentation and prevents more UV damage from occurring.

Everyone should wear sunscreen every day, regardless of their skin tone. Look for a sunscreen that:

  • has an SPF of at least 30
  • protects against UVA and UVB rays
  • is water resistant

Vitamin C may be an especially helpful treatment for sun damage. Topical vitamin C is effective for preventing melanin formation and protecting against premature skin aging as a result of UV exposure.

Medications

Some topical and oral medications may cause or worsen hyperpigmentation. People can check the label on any medication to see if this side effect is a possibility. If it is, a doctor can advise on the best course of action.

Hormonal changes

Dark spots that arise due to hormonal changes are not always avoidable. However, some mild discoloration may fade over time once a person removes the cause.

For example, if a person is pregnant, the marks may start to fade when the pregnancy is over.

Melasma can be more stubborn to treat. Melasma is a deeper form of hyperpigmentation that can occur due to hormonal changes. Even when melasma fades, it can come back if a person has exposure to the sun.

If a person is pregnant or nursing, they should check with a doctor that any hyperpigmentation treatments or procedures are safe to use.

Things to avoid

Some skin-lightening practices can be dangerous. For example, you should never use bleach on your skin. This can cause serious burns.

Some skin-lightening products can also contain unlisted ingredients, such as steroids, which people should not use without medical supervision. Others can even contain mercury, which is highly toxic.

Mercury may appear on ingredient lists as:

  • mercuric
  • calomel
  • cinnabaris
  • hydrargyri oxydum rubrum
  • quicksilver

People should always purchase products for hyperpigmentation from reputable companies and online stores. Alternatively, they can obtain safe products from a dermatologist.

Even with safe products, it is important to follow the instructions on the label unless otherwise instructed by a doctor. People should not use the product more often than the instructions state.

If side effects occur, people should stop using the product immediately and speak with a dermatologist.

What is the most effective treatment for dark spots?

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) products that can help fade dark spots. They will typically contain active ingredients such as:

One of the most effective hyperpigmentation treatments that will help you to even out your skin tone and get rid of dark spots fast is NÈLLA skin whitening serum.

This serum combines Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, Vitamin C, Chemical exfoliants (AHAs) such as: Lactic Acid, Malic Acid and Citric Acid, along with skin hydrants that keep your skin moisturized in the process of removing the dark spots.

It works by penetrating the skin into the dermis, the deepest layer of the skin, where the skin cells are producing excess melanin and inhibits the formation of new excess pigment, as well as making the skin cells that are causing the dark spots loose. As your skin naturally sheds (and with the help of the chemical exfoliants previously mentioned to accelerate the process), the even, lighter skin tone is revealed.

This serum effectively removes hyperpigmentation marks from anywhere on the body, including hormonal discoloration on intimate areas or bikini line. It is the safest skin lightening serum on the market made with 100% plant-based ingredients that won’t irritate your skin.

Back to blog