Hyperpigmentation is perhaps one of the most common skin conditions, especially for people whose skin produces more melanin.  I myself struggle with hyperpigmentation, and many people I know do too.

Hyperpigmentation occurs when areas of our skin darken after inflammation, breakouts, or exposure to the sun. Treating hyperpigmentation is definitely a difficult task, but with consistency and the right products and routine, you can get rid of it much more easily.

1) Face acids (exfoliation)

Face acids work by exfoliating the top layer of your skin. Exfoliation will help your skin shed  and allow for new skin cells to form. This will in turn help even out your skin tone, and reduce scarring. The best face acids are AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA's (beta hydroxy acids). If you're dealing with mild to severe hyperpigmentation, you should try to incorporate acids such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, or lactic acid into your routine. For best results, only use these acids 2-3 times a week, preferably at night.

Out of the ones mentioned, salicylic acid and glycolic acid are the strongest(and the best to use if you have acne-prone skin). If you are first starting out with them, I would say to use it maybe once a week for about 2-3 weeks, and then start to exfoliate more regularly. If you have sensitive skin and want acids that are less strong, try mandelic or lactic acid. The Ordinary carries a lot of these AHA's, so if you're interested in getting some, check out their website:https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-glycolic-acid-7pct-toning-solution-240ml?redir=1.

2)  Retinoids 

Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and are another way to treat hyperpigmentation. Retinoids penetrate deep into your skin and can therefore provide effective results. A popular retinoid that you don't need a prescription for is Differin(it treats acne and hyperpigmentation). If you do want another type of retinoid, you'll need a prescription from a dermatologist.

3)  Chemical peels

If you want something stronger that will produce great results, definitely start doing chemical peels. Chemical peels use strong acids and they reduce hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis(if you have inflamed and irritated skin, avoid chemical peels until you heal). These are powerful and bring great and quick results. Chemical peels cause your skin to be extremely sensitive to the sun, so after doing one, you should stay away from sunlight for a few days. Also, don't ever try to do a chemical peel by yourself at home, it should always be with a licensed individual.

4) Wear sunscreen daily

All of the treatments mentioned in this post make your skin sensitive to the sun, so it's important so wear sunscreen. Not wearing sunscreen can actually make your hyperpigmentation worse. So, always make sure to wear sunscreen daily, and re-apply it every hour. Here are some good sunscreens you can use:

Supergoop Unscreen Sunscreen (https://www.sephora.com/product/unseen-sunscreen-broad-spectrum-spf-40-P428094)

Black Girl Sunscreen (https://www.blackgirlsunscreen.com/product/black-girl-sunscreen-spf-30/)

Glossier Invisible Shield (https://www.glossier.com/products/invisible-shield?g_campaign=US_Google_Shopping&g_campaignid=2047147846&g_adgroupid=72089136203&g_adid=358363440181&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=pla-293946777986&g_adtype=&g_merchantid=107339476&g_productchannel=online&g_productid=ISH-000-00-01&g_partition=293946777986&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq9itsuCj5AIVwp-zCh1jJAqPEAQYASABEgKnkPD_BwE)

Thank you for reading, I hope this was helpful!

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Email: sarr.penda@gmail.com