Are you bothered by acne scars, big brown patches, and sunspots that cause skin discoloration? There’s no need to worry because the good news is a common skin discoloration disease can usually be resolved by over-the-counter skin brighteners. Today there are more options for getting rid of stubborn dark spots and uneven skin tone than ever before.

Hyperpigmentation is the medical term used for discoloration of the skin. It is a usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of the brown pigment melanin forms deposits in the skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are four common causes of hyperpigmentation that can affect people of all skin tones. They are:

Inflammation

Skin trauma such as acne, cuts, insect bites, scrapes, or even scratching from brisk rubbing can trigger inflammation. Inflammation, in turn, can drive up pigment-producing cells, leaving behind dark spots even after the injury has healed.

Sun Exposure

Exposing your skin to the ultraviolet rays of the sun can trigger extra melanin production. This is your skin’s natural defense mechanism against damage. That increased melanin is what gives you a tan. However, if you frequently expose yourself to the sun, it can make dark sunspots appear. Although sunspots are not considered cancerous, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, skin that’s frequently exposed to the sun may develop similar-looking blemishes that are precancerous. For this reason, it is critical to have an annual skin check by a dermatologist.

Melasma

Commonly known as the “mask of pregnancy”, melasma is characterized by skin discoloration on face, that can form in pregnant women. Although this type of hyperpigmentation occurs more commonly in women, men can also have this disease. Melasma is thought to be triggered by a combination of sun exposure, genetics, and hormonal changes from using oral contraceptives, according to experts from the American College of Osteopathic Dermatology. Another factor that can cause melasma and other types of hyperpigmentation are airborne pollutants that bind to the skin, making it weaker and more susceptible to sun damage, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Medical Conditions or Medication

Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by Addison’s disease ir adrenal insufficiency, an adrenal gland disorder that can increase melanin production.According to the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, antibiotics and certain chemotherapy medications can cause hyperpigmentation.

The Most Effective Ways to Treat and Prevent Future Skin Discoloration

Keep Skin Moist to Increase Cell Regeneration

While your principal goal with skin discoloration is to get rid of dark spots, an effective topical toning product should have ingredients that benefit the skin in other ways. Aside from alleviating skin discoloration on neck, legs, and face, a good product will have moisturizing agents, vitamins, and organic properties to boost cell regeneration. These ingredients help the brightening agents to work more effectively. Look for something that’s serum-based for deeper penetration into the skin.

Hands Off Blackheads, Dried Scabs, Insect Bites, and Other Injuries

Although it’s very tempting to scratch an insect bite or squeeze a blackhead, control your urge! Scratching and picking will only increase the inflammation that’s responsible for skin discoloration. The more you mess with it now, the worse it will look in the long run.

Consider Brightening Treatment Creams

The sooner you treat hyperpigmentation, the easier it will be to get rid of it completely. Skin discoloration on legs, neck, and face can move deeper over time if left untreated. You can start with topical over-the-counter brightening creams. You will want to make sure that they contain ingredients such as glycerin, kojic acid, mulberry root, and glutathione. These active ingredients inhibit enzymes that are responsible for the formation of melanin. According to the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, other effective ingredients to look for in over-the-counter treatments include arbutin, soy, hydroquinone, vitamin E, niacinamide, and n-acetyl glucosamine. Carefully read package instructions, as applying too much of these products can irritate your skin.Also, patience is key, as it can take weeks, even months, for these skin brightening treatment creams to work.

Consider a Medication for Stubborn Skin Discoloration

If over-the-counter skin remedies are not helping your condition, it’s time to seek professional help. Most dermatologists consider prescription-strength hydroquinone, alone or in combination with other skin brighteners, to be the most effective for getting rid of dark spots since it slows down pigment production. Many skin specialists swear by it because unlike many ingredients in over-the-counter products, it works most of the time in getting rid of hyperpigmentation. However, treatment using hydroquinone should be closely monitored by a dermatologist since high concentrations of this agent may bleach the skin and increase sun sensitivity.

Take Steps to Prevent or Minimize Future Damage

The most effective way to prevent sun-caused skin discoloration is to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30 or greater every day even on cool and cloudy days. Wearing sunblock daily on exposed areas protects your skin against the sun’s ultraviolet rays preventing the production of dark spots. However, SPF can only protect your skin agains UVB short-wave rays. To protect your skin against UVA long-wave rays, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends going for a product that contains Mexoryl, Parsol 1789, avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.It’s also important to stick to gentle skincare products that don’t cause a stinging or burning sensation, as irritation can make hyperpigmentation worse, especially melasma.