How To Clear Acne Pigmentation

Know When To Turn To Formulated Products

The DIY routine isnt for everyone, including some skin care professionals like Engelman, who says homemade remedies allow room for error as they arent formulated with the same ratios as formal products. If the natural masks and scrubs arent for you, there are a number of products designed with the same ingredients and packaged to last for more than a day or two.

And for the skin thats tackling all of the dark spot issues at once, Engelman points to Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense, which is clinically proven to improve dark patches, skin discoloration, and acne marks.

As with any skincare routine, the best way to eliminate dark spots is through prevention, which is easily done by protecting your skin from the sun. If youre out and about during daylight hours, be sure to apply SPF , and consider adding a hat, sunglasses, and even gloves, especially if the sunlight will hit your skin for an extended period of time.

Best Home Remedies For Hyperpigmentation

A number of natural ingredients can be used to make natural face cleansers, which can be applied once or twice daily to help address hyperpigmentation. Consistent use is important as most natural products take 8 weeks of regular use before you begin to see noticeable results.

Some ingredients are better suited to address some types of hyperpigmentation. Identifying the type of hyperpigmentation you are experiencing will help you to select the best possible treatment option.

Best Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treatments For Dark Skin

PIH occurs most often in individuals with dark skin. This is because those with darker skin tones have more active melanosomesthe cellular structures responsible for the synthesis of melaninin their skin cells. As such, inflammation caused by acne is more likely to trigger an overproduction of melanin resulting in PIH.

The inflammation caused by professional procedures such as chemical peels, laser treatments and microdermabrasion is also more likely to cause PIH to develop in those with darker skin tones. For this reason, if you have dark skin and are experiencing PIHor another form of hyperpigmentationit is advised to use an OTC cream to treat it.

Should OTC products prove ineffective, be sure to speak to a dermatologist for assistance in finding a prescription topical or professional procedure that is effective and safe for your skin.

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A Targeted 10% Vitamin C Treatment To Brighten And Fade Dark Spots

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• Paraben free

• 100%agree this product helps improve the look of dark spots*
• 100%agree this product improves the look of sun damage*
• 97%showed improvement in uneven skin tone*

*Based on a consumer study of 34 women, ages 25-59, after 28 days of use.

• Delivers a boost of brightness with 10% vitamin C, while white shiitake mushroom fades dark spots
• Shows visible brightening instantly, while it works over time to dissolve pigmentation and prevent new discoloration
• Our unique blend of ingredients is precisely calibrated to not cause irritation like traditional vitamin C serums

• PEG free

Directions:

Massage 2-3 pumps of the vitamin C for dark spots serum onto a cleansed face and neck, morning and night. Use before other treatment products, and follow with any Biossance moisturizer.

Layering Guide:

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In The Evening She Often Uses An Exfoliating Cleanser

“Typically I use Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser at night to remove my makeup,” she says. “I alternate this with a glycolic acid wash. Glycolic acid is my go-to when my skin is feeling and looking dull and needs a refresh, because the alpha-hydroxy acid in the cleanser does a nice job exfoliating my skin.”

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Stop Picking Your Pimples

I know its really tempting sometimes, but it never does any good to your skin. Popping or picking pimples is relatively the biggest culprit behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation . And it often doesnt just stop there. Picking pimples is also an excellent way to invite acne scars to ruin your face.

But if youre dying to pop a pimple, however, theres a way you can avoid or at least minimize this damage. The video below shows how to do that:

How To Treat Keloid Scars

Keloids are extra skin that grows onto a wound or any sort of scar on your bodythe tendency to grow keloids also makes you prone to them on all kinds of scars and tears. The growth of this extra scar tissue isnt harmful for you but can form in very visible areas of the body like the chest, shoulders, earlobes and cheeks. One thing you should make a note of about keloid scars is that they are very difficult to treat and require patience and maintenance. Its important that your skin doctor first educates you about skin healing. You should avoid getting yourself pierced or tattooed or undertake any treatment which can take time to heal. The first line of treatment here is an intralesional steroid injection which is given as a micro-puncture once a month for a few months till the skin heals. Another treatment option for resistant keloids is skin grafting or Co2 laser, keeping in mind that relapses are common.

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How To Prevent Acne Scars In The First Place

First, some tips on prevention, which Lortscher says is imperative for anyone with acne-prone skin. Lets first assume that youre actively breaking out . Lortscher says one way to get ahead of the scarring is to treat the skin immediately after a pimple or breakout, thus preventing a scar from forming in the first place.

First of all, you need to differentiate between scarring and temporary discoloration, Lortscher says. The latter can happen after a particularly deep pimple popsbut those dark spots arent technically scars: Scars change the skins texture, not just the color of the skin, he says. Scars can be permanent, while dark spots from acne tend to fade within 6 to 12 months.

Secondly, he urges against any unnecessary pimple popping, which can lead to scarring. You have to resist the urge, which can prove difficult. Many people wrongly assume that by popping a pimple, you also empty it fully and thus clean out all the gunk. You may also think that this expedites healing. But it just isnt so: When you pop a zit, the gunk inside can make its way to the skins surface and irritate your skin, Lortscher says. This leads to even more pimples nearby. Plus, you run the risk of driving debris and bacteria even deeper into your skin, which can lead to scarring and worsen breakouts.

When To See A Doctor

If you find that youre developing dark spots frequently, or if the appearance of these dark spots is affecting your day-to-day life, its time to speak to your healthcare provider.

If youre concerned about your dark spots and dont already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Creating a treatment plan with your dermatologist can give you a realistic perspective of dark spots caused by pimples. Having a plan and a professional to call on can make all the difference.

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First Up What Is Pigmentation And What Causes It

Hyperpigmentation refers to a complexion marked by darker spots or patches on the skin. These darker areas can be small and localised, for example a freckle, or more widespread.

In all types of hyperpigmentation, discolouration arises when the skins melanocytes are enlisted to create more of its natural pigment, melanin. Many factors can lead to an increase in melanin production, including sun exposure, hormones, medication, intrinsic ageing and genetics.

Acne is another trigger and its a major factor in the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation .

Minor Surgery For Acne Scars

You can also opt for an actual skin surgery as opposed to a quick treatment for your scars. Using an in-clinic procedure called punch excision, your doctor will treat individual scars and repair the wounds. Another similar technique is subcision which involves the physician inserting needles under the scar to break the fibres, hence releasing the depressions of individual scars to help improve its appearance. Subcision is a very important step which ideally needs to be performed as a first step before any treatment for acne scars as this helps to actually break the scar tissue.

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Acne Scar Treatment No : Wear Spf

It might seem like the simplest way to get rid of acne scars and we bang on about it a lot but SPF really does solve all your skin troubles. Not only does it protect against the dreaded sun damage but it helps avoid the more long term risk of skin cancer and, in turn, the marks it can leave on your skin.

But SPF is never more crucial than when youre using acids, retinol or extensive treatments that can leave your skin vulnerable. ‘The skin is more vulnerable to damage and pigmentation change following acne treatments such as IPL laser and even using products that contain AHAs and BHAs and pigmentation spots can potentially get worse is SPF is not applied,’ says Dr. Mahto.

So SPF up ASAP.

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Ways To Prevent Future Breakouts

There are a number of ways you can actively prevent acne, including:

Keeping your face clean

Washing your face twice a day will remove any impurities, extra oil, and dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts. Remember to refrain from using harsh soaps or scrubs as you dont want to aggravate or irritate the skin!

Watch what you use on your hair

If you have a fringe or hairstyle where the hair is in contact with your skin, it is best to refrain from using leave-in hair styling products as these can clog pores and irritate the skin.

Feed your skin with targeted serums and treatments

At Kiehl’s, we have expertly produced a range of serums and treatments that are backed by science in order to prevent acne.

Stop touching your face

We all know how tempting it can be to pick and pop pimples, however, this should be avoided at all costs since it leads to spreading bacteria which causes irritation and potential acne scarring.

Use any makeup sparingly

If you usually wear makeup, make sure to check that its labelled as non-comedogenic to prevent blocked pores. At the end of the day, remember to remove the makeup thoroughly by cleansing your skin.

Avoid too much sun exposure

Exposing your skin to UV rays can lead to an increase in inflammation and redness, in addition to an overproduction of sebum that triggers acne and causes post-acne pigmentation.

Reduce stress

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What Causes Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Acne formation triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which leads to an increase in white blood cell activity in the affected tissues. This activity stimulates an increase in melanin production.

This excess melanin accumulates into clusters, which darkens the skin. This results in the appearance of the scattered darkened patches of skin characteristic of PIH.

Super Fluid Daily Uv Defense Spf 50+

Even on rainy or cloudy days, UV exposure can cause dark spots and discolorations along with other early signs of aging. While other skincare formulas can help treat hyperpigmentation, sunscreen is a daily essential to help defend against future dark spots from forming and current hyperpigmentation from darkening.

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How To Treat Hyperpigmentation

First, get your skin completely clear from active acne. This way you are preventing any future hyperpigmentation.

Once you are clear, you can try a hyperpigmentation treatment to reduce the marks you might have. Topical treatments are the first choice for treating hyperpigmentation. The treatments most commonly prescribed by dermatologists are hydroquinone and retinoids.11

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is often referred to as the “gold standard” for treatment of hyperpigmentation.12

It is normally used at a concentration of 4%. In higher concentrations it can cause “spotted halos,” which appear as lighter colored ring around marks. Hydroquinone treatment results in a marked improvement or complete clearing of PIH in 63% of the patients.4

The efficacy of hydroquinone may be increased by the addition of a retinoid and a low potency corticosteroid, such as hydrocortisone.13

Side effects of hydroquinone include burning, redness, and itching in 30% of the patients.12 The addition of ascorbic acid to a topical hydroquinone treatment may help minimize side effects.2-3

Hyperpigmentation starts to subside after 4 weeks of hydroquinone treatment, but maximum results usually require 8 to 12 weeks of treatment. Be certain to work closely with your physician or dermatologist if you decide to use hydroquinone to ensure proper dosage and reduction of side effects.

Retinoids: Tretinoin , Adapalene , or Tazarotene

Expand to read details of studies

Niacinamide, also known as Nicotinamide

How Long Does It Take For Acne Scars To Fade

Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

Acne breakouts can be a seemingly limitless source of stress and frustration, especially when they leave behind unsightly, unwanted scarring.

Acne scars are a common issue for people with moderate and severe acne. If youre prone to breakouts, you may notice that as your pimples clear up, they leave behind dark spots, raised scars and rough patches on your skin.

Like acne itself, acne scars are treatable, although it often requires a lot of time to completely get rid of them.

Below, weve covered how and why acne scars develop, as well as the different types of acne scars you may notice if youre prone to acne breakouts.

Weve also explained how long it takes to get rid of acne scarring, as well as the specific steps that you can take to treat acne scars and stop them from developing in the future.

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How To Clear Your Skin From Post

by Remedy4Acne· October 25, 2013

4.65

Something that can be really frustrating about acne is that even after its gone, theres still evidence it was there. Acne pigmentation, or acne scarring, is a common occurrence among people with acne problems. Other people experience dark spots that are usually caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. And finally, some people have red marks on their face that just wont go away. No matter what you have, it is difficult to get these semi-permanent markings to just go away. There are tons of products on the market that claim they will get rid of these markings, but most of them end up not cutting it. The following paragraphs will teach you some quick, easy, and natural ways to clear your skin from post-acne pigmentation, dark spots, and red marks.

Clarisonic Mia 2

You can treat red marks the same way you treat dark spots. Exfoliation is a great way to get rid of red marks over the long term. You can use vitamin C to lighten the red spots. Of course, red spots are easy to cover with concealer. Because most concealer has a yellow base, it counteracts the red and makes your skin look healthy. This is different from dark spots, which can still be apparent even with concealer on.

Alternatives To Home Remedies For Hyperpigmentation

While home remedies may sometimes be effective in treating hyperpigmentation, over-the- counter products and treatments are better studied, and have been proven to be both safe and effective.

OTC creams containing vitamin B-3 or niacinamide have shown potential as a treatment option for sun spots, melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide disrupts the process that triggers melanin production in the body, which can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic and citric acid are derived from milk products and citrus fruits, respectively. They address hyperpigmentation by acting as superficial chemical peels. While these peels can remove excess melanin, they must be used carefully as they can also cause or worsen postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in some individuals.

Retinoids are among the most effective treatments available for addressing melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Derived from vitamin A, retinoids vary in potency from OTC products such as retinol to stronger formulations that require a prescription.

When applied topically, retinoids promote the skins natural cell turnover rate and disrupt the melanin production process to help eliminate hyperpigmentation.

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Does Exercise Reduce Pigmentation

Exercise reduces stress which is one of the causes of skin pigmentation. Moreover, when you exercise, the blood flow increases and nourishes skin cells. It also takes away waste and the free radicals which are instrumental in damaging skin cells. Thus, skin pigmentation can be reduced by regular exercise.

Although skin pigmentation does not cause any harm to the body, some people may find it undesirable and wish to have an even skin tone. Follow the above-given home remedies religiously and with patience to get rid of unwanted skin pigmentation. You will not have to worry about skin pigmentation again!

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