5 steps to get rid of hyperpigmentation all at once

For those who aren't too familiar with this word, hyperpigmentation is any patch of skin that looks darker than your natural skin tone due to the overproduction of brown pigment, melanin. If you're bothered by these dark spots, there are a few ways with which you can get rid of them.

First and foremost, it's very important to kill the urge to keep touching bug bites, blackheads and any kind of injuries on your skin. Scratching and picking at a spot will only increase the inflammation that is responsible for skin discolouration. You can use products like over-the-counter (OTC) whitening creams that will help you reduce hyperpigmentation eventually.

In addition to addressing the pigment issues, a good product contains moisturising agents like glycerin or hyaluronic acid and even retinol to boost cell turnover. These ingredients will allow active brighteners to work better. A good moisturiser will help restore the skin's lipid barrier which will further protect your skin from sun damage.

If OTC creams don't help, you can switch to prescription-strength hydroquinone, alone or combined with other lighteners. This is one of the go-to recommendations for dermatologists. This is because unlike many of the ingredients in OTC products, it always works at eliminating hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone treatments should be closely monitored by your dermatologist as it can cause sun sensitivity.

If any topical solutions don't help, you should talk to your dermatologist about more aggressive ways to reduce discolouration. These include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion or some laser-based procedures.

One of the most effective ways to prevent sun-induced discolouration is to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection faction (SPF) of 30 or greater, each day. Stick to gentle skincare products that don't sting or burn. Use medication to fight off pimples and bug spray to prevent bites.