Hyperpigmentation is a very common condition in which patches of skin become darker than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when there is an excess of melanin (the brown pigment in skin) and it forms deposits in the skin.

Spots may form from sun damage and larger areas such as in melasma and chloasma may be due to hormonal changes. Inflammation and trauma to the skin can also result in hyperpigmentation. These areas may fade slightly when sun exposure is minimized but they never go away completely.

As a matter of fact, hyperpigmentation is not a curable condition, just one we can learn to control. No matter what the treatment, sunscreens at all times are a must. The sunscreen used must also be a broad spectrum covering both UVB and UVA rays. Most prescription creams used to lighten the skin contain hydroquinone. A bleaching cream will lighten and fade dark patches by slowing the production of melanin.

Hydroquinone can only be used up to 2% in over the counter medication. Most medical lines contain 4% (such as Obagi Nu Derm Clear) unless they are specially compounded in which case they can go up to 12%.

To improve penetration many creams combine tretinoin with hydroquinone (such as Epiquin from Skin Medica's Hyperpigmentation Kit). This increases cell turnover so that the old darker cells slough off faster, speeding results. Many excellent hyperpigmentation or lightening creams combine hydroquinone with other natural ingredients that interfere with the melanin production cycle at other places than hydroquinone such as ViDerm Bleaching RX cream which also contains Licorice and Beri-Beri. Others use acids such as glycolic or azelaic acid as found in Cosmelan 1 and 2) These acids effectively exfoliate the skin, helping to lighten the post inflammatory pigmentation.

Whatever the treatment one must be patient with the treatment as one skin cycle or 28 days is required to see noticeable results.

Please check out products we like below: Cosmelan 2 Cosmelan mask Skin medica Hyperpigmentation system Vipeel Obagi nuderm Clear blender and sunfader