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Hyperpigmentation is a very normal phenomenon on our faces. These hyperpigmentations are harmless in general and occurred due to the increased melanin level. These dark spots do not harm us anyway but sitting on top of our skin surely makes us worried about the time they will vanish. You can see these kinds of spots when you have just overcome a breakout. Anyone of any skin tone can have hyperpigmentation in their skin. The worry becomes even more when you are taking care of your skin and doing everything to get rid of the dark spot but it does not go away. Also, some people believe hyperpigmentation just gets even more darker. But does Hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades for real?
Hyperpigmentations are unpredictable and every skin type has its own way of dealing with it. We can understand the possibility of hyperpigmentation getting darker or does it really happen by diving into the deep. So let’s unleash the reason and possibilities.
5 Causes Of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentations are really irritating spots that just don’t want to go away. They keep on resurfacing even if you are trying your best to not have these stubborn spots. If you are going through this over and over, then you must understand the reason for hyperpigmentation. Here are 5 reasons you may get them.
1. Skin Inflammation
The most common reason for getting the dark spot on your skin is post-inflammation. If you have just got acne, eczema, and another kind of inflammation there will be spots and it takes time to recover from that inflammation.
2. Sun exposure
Prolonged exposure to the sun can make your skin have spots that turn into dark patches over time. You might not see them in an instant but will surely see them after some time.
3. Reaction
There are certain types of drugs or skin products that can have a reaction in the skin and make the skin get darker over time. Chemicals that existed in topical treatment can cause skin hyperpigmentation.
4. Melasma
Hormonal changes can cause hyperpigmentation all over the body. Also during pregnancy, this kind of hyperpigmentation happens more often. This is not in anyone’s control and can happen anytime.
5. Medical condition
Hyperpigmentation of the skin can be a sort of medical condition. Can possibly be a symptom of other severe medical conditions.
Possibilities Of Hyperpigmentation Getting Darker Before Fading
Now the important question: does the hyperpigmentation get darker before fading away completely? Well, there is no straightforward answer to this question. Everyone has a different skin type that works and deals with hyperpigmentation differently. Generally, it has been seen that hyperpigmentation gets darker before fading out.
Melanin Increase
Melanin is the reason you see pigmented spots in your skin. You can only get rid of the spot when the upper skin is shaded off. The skin can only shed when all the melanin underneath the skin has come up. Also, the skin can get dark before the healing process. It is kind of the darkness before coming to light. This phase might feel worst but eventually, the spots start to fade away. In this phase, people does the mistake of not taking care of their skin and getting very frustrated.
Melanin Surfacing
Hyperpigmentation forms in the deeper part of the skin and slowly comes to the surface. When it comes to the surface it does not look that much dark and pigmented but as slowly more of the pigmentation comes and adds up then it becomes very dark. At this stage, it begins to fade and lose some skin cells too. but compared to the surfacing period the fading period takes time.
Cell Turnover
When you are putting on treatments to get rid of these dark pigmentation as soon as possible it can accelerate the pigmentation even more. Since the treatment would increase the cell turnover there is a high possibility that you would see more pigmentation than expected. Spots being dark also means the pigmentation is ready to shed away.
Over Exfoliation
At this stage, it is very easy to be tempted to exfoliate the skin to have clear skin faster. But exfoliating too much would not make the skin lighter or the hyperpigmentation go away. Rather this would make the skin condition worse and the spot becomes worst. This is another reason you can see the hyperpigmentation grow darker.
But all these can be totally non-relatable based on your skin condition. Some skin does not produce melanin like others which is why there is a possibility they would not feel the spot getting darker before it comes off of the skin. Rather the spot would just vanish.
Longevity Of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation takes time to fade away. This fading depends on skin type, age, and health. Generally, hyperpigmentation stays on the skin for six to twelve months to fade completely from the skin. Even after this time, the hyperpigmentation is not fading away from your skin then the reasons could be:
Medical concern
The reason your hyperpigmentation is not fading away even after 6 or 12 months then the reason behind your hyperpigmentation can be very different. The reason can be medical and dermatologists should be consulted to get rid of this kind of pigmentation.
Sunscreen
Not using sunscreen can be the reason you are not getting rid of any hyperpigmentation. The UV rays of the sun can badly impact your skin and make your melanin level go up. Also, UV rays delay the natural shedding of skin.
Creating over-tension on the skin
If you are someone who picks your pimple eczema and your inflammation, then there is a high possibility for the hyperpigmentation to stay longer on the skin.
Not taking care of the skin properly
Taking care of your skin on a daily basis and treating hyperpigmentation can get rid of these rigid spots. If you are not moisturizing and taking care of your skin adequately then the hyperpigmentation will take longer to fade away.
How To Fade Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation can be really stubborn to get rid of. But there are surely ways to get rid of them This can be time-consuming and you might have to wait patiently eventually they will fade away. Our skin’s natural cycle makes the outer skin fall off after some time. This causes the skin on top to fall off and come up with newer clear skin. If you want to increase the shedding process, then here are some tips from us.
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Maintaining a regular skincare routine
Maintaining a regular skincare routine can make the skin glow and get rid of hyperpigmentation as soon as possible. When you have skin breakout or inflammation it is best to keep your skin clear and moisturize properly and consistency of hydration will surely boost up cell turnover.
Use sunscreen
Never forget to put on your sunscreen. Keeping your skin safe from UV rays is the most important thing when you are having hyperpigmentation. Do not just leave after applying sunscreen for one time remember to reapply it from time to time.
Using vitamin C
Vitamin C is a very active ingredient that can make your skin spot free and get rid of hyperpigmentation at a very fast rate. Using vitamin C in the skincare routine will bring out the pigmentation from under your skin and make them disappear. Do not forget sunscreen when using vitamin C. Also doing a patch test is recommended if using vitamin C for the first time.
Centella
Another great product to get rid of hyperpigmentation at a faster rate. This is not that much popular yet but it does wonder when applied on the spots. This can come in cream, serum, or in essence form. According to me, a cream version is a great option because you can apply this very precisely.
Niacinamide
You can get rid of dark spots by improving your skin complexion. Niacinamide is a great way to make your skin grow. This ingredient goes under the skin and makes the cell turnover at a faster rate and makes your skin glowy and spot free.
Many other ingredients can also help to fade away hyperpigmentation at a faster rate. But consulting your dermatologist before using anything extra would be the best take to remove pigmentation.
FAQs
1. If your hyperpigmentation can be permanent?
Yes, they can be permanent, in that case, you need to seek medical help in order to get rid of it since removing it on your own is not possible.
2. Does exfoliation reduce hyperpigmentation?
Yes, it can but over-exfoliating your face would not. In fact, if you over-exfoliate, you risk causing more hyperpigmentation to be caused rather than reducing it!
3. What happens if hyperpigmentation is left untreated?
If it is epidermal hyperpigmentation, then it will appear tan and go away with time. However, hyperpigmentation in the dermis remains and becomes permanent.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, hyperpigmentation can indeed get darker before fading out. But that depends on the skin type and how individual skin works. There are many reasons behind hyperpigmentation but when you know the specified reason behind you can just avoid doing those things or take the necessary needed steps. Generally, hyperpigmentation is caused by the increase of melanin in certain areas due to inflammation mostly. But when it starts to get even more darker then it becomes a reason to worry about. Natural shading of our skin will eventually make the dark spots go away but sometimes that takes time and the spot gets dark in the process. This natural shedding will be boosted by using certain products and following some small steps. Darkening hyperpigmentation is not really a thing to worry about if you are not over-tensioning your skin.
Key Points
- Hyperpigmentations are harmless in general and occurred due to the increased melanin level.
- There can be a ton of causes of hyperpigmentation but some of them are sun exposure, melisma, reaction, and medical reasons.
- Hyperpigmentation can indeed get darker in the process of getting better that is also because your melanin starts to surface and increase, and your cells turnovers and start to shed. It is like getting dark before the light.
- You can actually increase the fading of hyperpigmentation faster by adopting a few ingredients in your skincare and having some good habits like using sunscreen, moisturizing, reapplying, etc.
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