Facial hyperpigmentation - how to deal with it?

I remember reading an article once that nothing adds to a woman's beauty like a perfectly smooth complexion. And there is indeed something to that, although I still think that what most shows whether a face looks young or not is the right condition of the muscles and therefore the oval of the face. However, it cannot be overlooked that a smooth complexion in terms of an even skin tone simply looks healthier.

From the article you will learn:
- what are the most common causes of facial hyperpigmentation?
- how to deal with hyperpigmentation?
- which cosmetics to use?
- what to look out for?
- what are my home remedies for blemishes

What are the causes of hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a common problem in a great many women, which develops with age and tends to increase. Discolouration can occur for a great many reasons.

One of the most important factors causing them is endocrine disruption. They appear very frequently during pregnancy and lactation. They can also occur independently if the hormonal balance is disturbed, especially during the peri-menopausal period.

Factors causing discolouration are also:
- improperly used cosmetics or ointments (especially those with steroids)
- epidermal injuries, e.g. wounds, scratches
- overexposure of the skin to the sun
- skin inflammations
- acne
- thyroid, adrenal and liver diseases
- individual tendency - for some people, even a small scratch leaves discolouration for several years.

How to deal with hyperpigmentation?

Unfortunately, it is often the case that hyperpigmentation likes to remain for a long time, sometimes forever, and additionally intensify with the passing of years. On the one hand, it is said that the sooner you take action to remove the discolouration, the better, but this rule does not always apply. When hyperpigmentation occurs during pregnancy, after childbirth and during lactation, it is definitely advisable to wait with intensive action until the hormonal system has stabilised. It is then advisable to use only peels and dermocosmetics.

There are many ways to get rid of hyperpigmentation, while no single effective way is known.

One of the most commonly suggested methods is laser therapy, but it will not work for everyone. It can also, in some people, even exacerbate the problem with subsequent sun exposure, despite the use of UV filters. The hyperpigmentation can then even return in a decidedly exacerbated form. This is exactly what happened to me!

I developed my first and unfortunately immediately very severe hyperpigmentation a few months after giving birth while I was breastfeeding my baby. After about a year, I went for a laser treatment to remove the discolouration. The hyperpigmentation diminished beautifully, but in the spring, despite the fact that I used very high UV protection, the hyperpigmentation returned in a very intense form. I realised then that this was not the right way to go in my case.

I later took much gentler steps and today, 5 years after the first blemishes occurred, my skin looks much better. The spots have definitely diminished and quite a few of them have disappeared irretrievably.

In my experience, definitely perseverance and patience have been the best form of restoring skin to good condition.

What cosmetics to use for blemishes?

Of the cosmetics and ointments I tried, retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, and azelaic acid worked best. Used regularly, together with great care for exposure of the face to the strong sun, they gave very nice results. Years later, I am now left with quite little discolouration, only in the central zone of my cheeks. Previously, I had a face covered almost entirely with very strong hyperpigmentation especially in the forehead zone, around the eyes, almost all of the cheeks, on the nose and above the upper lip.

Natural remedies for facial blemishes

In addition to using care in the form of ointments and targeted dermocosmetics, I have used and continue to use natural methods. My favourite of these is A mask based mainly on turmeric combined with yoghurt and rice flour. A mask that gives nice results is a combination of honey with a few drops of lemon juice and the addition of about half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg.

I also use peels, usually ones that are a mix of chickpea flour, rice flour and sandalwood powder.

For several years I have also been using my favourite Kumkumadi Jiva oil for skin care. In addition to its skincare and anti-ageing properties, the oil also brightens the complexion.

It is also interesting to note that, in some cases, hyperpigmentation can develop on skin in an area where the muscles are very tense. Properly applied massages that relax these tensions can also have an effect on reducing hyperpigmentation to some extent!

What I have shared here has worked for me, but it is obviously not a recipe for everyone.

I want to tell you that the best thing is definitely patience and the principle that sometimes less is more!

Discolouration - what to look out for? What to bear in mind?

If your skin reacts very quickly with discolouration to any even minor cuts then be cautious about performing very invasive methods such as lasers.

Strong exfoliations and even dermapen treatments also give very good results. Dermapen, combined with appropriately selected substances in the form of serums/ampoules or acids, can be a very effective form of getting rid of hyperpigmentation.

It is worth being very careful and observing your skin - how it reacts, especially after time. For some people with a tendency to hyperpigmentation with any wounds, dermapen treatments may not be the best option.

Discolouration - what to bear in mind?

The use of targeted care needs to be tailored to you and you need to be very consistent in its application.

Vitamin C, which miraculously brightens the skin, can be used both morning and evening. Contrary to common myths, it does not make the skin hypersensitive to sunlight and does not cause discolouration. However, it is worth using it in combination with adequate UV protection of the skin.

It is worth being very careful with the use of retinol, especially during the spring and summer. Do not start the adventure of applying it for the first time, just at this time. It is definitely better to wait until autumn. It is a good idea to start the retinol treatment in small steps, lubricating the skin initially every 3 days, then every 2, and then every day. This is best done at night. You can also use a mixed treatment, for example: apply retinol one evening, azelaic acid the next and vitamin C every morning.

Absolutely do not combine vitamin C and retinol in one application!

The natural form of retinol and its replacement is bucicliol, but it has a gentler effect and for very severe hyperpigmentation in my case it was not effective. I like to use it at night during the summer because of its gentler action (also combined with a UV filter for daytime).

It is definitely worth seek the advice of a doctor or experienced cosmetologist, who will choose very carefully the care and possible additional measures.

It is comforting to know that properly applied care, without overly invasive measures, can significantly reduce hyperpigmentation or even eliminate it completely.

I remain hopeful of getting rid of the blemishes completely, which I wish for you too! 😊

Hugs! Marta