21 min read
How to deal with hyperpigmentation & dark spots
05/20/2022 / Last Edited 07/25/2025Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed some new skin spots that weren’t there before? If so, you are in the right place. Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns – and one of the most misunderstood. In this article, we will walk you through the difference between types of skin spots, why they appear, and how to treat them for a more even complexion.
Are you seeing a few dark spots where your breakouts used to be, or just got back from your 10-day vacation in the tropics only to find darker patches appearing on your face even after your tan fades? Maybe you’ve noticed new spots following hormonal changes such as pregnancy or birth control use. These are all common signs of hyperpigmentation, a condition where certain areas of the skin overproduce melanin leading to uneven skin tone.
Hyperpigmentation is one of the most searched skin concerns today, and for good reason: it affects nearly every skin tone, shows up in different ways, and often takes time and consistency to treat. But the good news is, with the right education and tools, you can absolutely manage it.
In this article, we will help demystify the following:
- What is hyperpigmentation?
- What are the common types of hyperpigmentation?
- How does it affect different skin tones?
- How can you treat it effectively?
- What steps can you take to prevent it from returning?
What is hyperpigmentation?
Well first off, it’s a mouthful. So let’s break it down. The term “hyper” when used in medical terms means “more” or “excessive.” “Pigment” is the color of our skin. Hyperpigmentation basically translates to “more pigment” and that pigment is melanin. Melanin is produced by our cells and is responsible for giving us our skin tone. When those cells overproduce melanin in certain areas, the skin will appear darker than our natural tone.
This overproduction can be triggered by various factors including prolonged sun exposure, skin inflammation (such as acne, breakouts, injuries, or irritation), hormonal changes like pregnancy or birth control, and even some medications or environmental factors. Essentially, it’s your skin’s natural response to protect itself, but the result is often uneven, darker patches on the skin’s surface.
Hyperpigmentation itself is not harmful or contagious, but it can be persistent and frustrating to treat because the excess pigment can linger even after the original cause has healed.
Understanding the causes and types of hyperpigmentation is key to knowing how to approach treatment and prevention – which we’ll explore next.
What are the common types of hyperpigmentation?
There are several different types of dark spots which can appear on the skin in a number of different ways. Here is an overview of the most common types of hyperpigmentation:
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Melasma: is caused by hormonal changes that can impact melanin production. These changes often develop during pregnancy or when using birth control and result in areas of hyperpigmentation that most commonly appear on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip. These pigmented areas can continue to get darker with sun exposure, heat, and even visible light. For that reason, it’s important to pair treatment with a high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective measures like wide-brimmed hats.
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Sun spots (also called age spots): are related to excess exposure to UV rays over time and are widely considered to be the most common type of dark spots. They generally appear as dark spots in areas that are typically exposed to the sun, such as the neck, chest or face. In addition, sun exposure can intensify hormonal and PIH. In fact, only 30 minutes of unprotected time in the sun can undo a month’s worth of effort in fighting hyperpigmentation! These spots may take months – or even years – to fade, especially without consistent protection. Here is your reminder that SPF should be worn daily, year-round, and even on cloudy days or indoors near windows.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): is discoloration that results from any form of trauma with associated inflammation, whether such as acne, infections, injuries or over exfoliation. This form of pigmentation can generally be treated quite successfully if the inflammatory triggers have subsided. The longer the tissue remains inflamed, the more intense the hyperpigmentation can become. PIH often starts as pink or red marks on lighter skin tones, or dark brown to black spots on deeper skin. It tends to fade over time, but the process can be accelerated with gentle exfoliants and pigment-balancing ingredients like Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and Azelaic acid.
How does hyperpigmentation appear on darker skin tones?
Not only are there different types of dark spots, but hyperpigmentation can look different on everyone. For lighter skin tones, hyperpigmentation may appear as red or pink spots and for darker skin tones it may show up as more purple, brown or black spots. In fact, those with medium to dark skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation (skin tones Fitzpatrick IV or greater) as their skin naturally produces more melanin.
This increased melanin production means the skin responds more aggressively to inflammation, injury, or UV exposure – making hyperpigmentation both more likely to appear and more stubborn to fade.
Because of this, it’s especially important to use products that are both effective and non-irritating, as harsh treatments or over-exfoliation can lead to further pigmentation issues or rebound inflammation.
Look for formulas that are clinically tested on a range of skin tones and are free from ingredients known to trigger sensitivity, like high concentrations of fragrance or alcohol.
How can you treat hyperpigmentation?
Treating hyperpigmentation can be tricky. There is no quick fix for hyperpigmentation, but stick with it and you’ll eventually see brighter, firmer skin.
Unlike other forms of hyperpigmentation, PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) usually fades relatively quickly after trauma to the skin. Some ingredients to help fade PIH are barrier-restoring Omega-3 blends, Niacinamide, Vitamin C and fast-acting AHA & BHA. These ingredients can be found in our PowerBright products.
For more stubborn types of hyperpigmentation – like melasma or sun damage – treatment can take several months. Consistency is key. Look for brightening ingredients that target multiple stages of melanin production, such as Hexylresorcinol, peptide blends, and antioxidants.
Our PowerBright Dark Spot System is a great place to kickstart treating your existing hyperpigmentation concerns. This 2-step system pairs our daily PowerBright Dark Spot Serum that helps fade the appearance of uneven pigmentation over time and our PowerBright Dark Spot Peel, which helps visibly lift surface pigmentation in a wide range of skin tones and types, including melanin-rich and hyperpigmentation-prone skin.
In addition, our PowerBright Overnight Cream is our nourishing nighttime cream that optimizes skin moisture recovery and helps restore luminosity to fade dark spots while you sleep. Niacinamide in formula helps lighten pigment, keeping that hyperpigmentation away!
For best results, apply products consistently and avoid picking or scrubbing at affected areas, which can worsen discoloration. Daily sun protection is also essential – more on that below.
How to prevent and protect your skin from hyperpigmentation
Good news - developing hyperpigmentation is preventable with a good skin care regimen and a little patience. Sunscreen is your BFF to protect the work you are doing to address your existing hyperpigmentation concerns and prevent future concerns down the road.
Apply a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher every morning and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors. Wearing protective clothing, avoiding peak sun hours, and using antioxidant-rich products can also help reduce pigment-triggering inflammation.
We recommend adding our PowerBright Moisturizer SPF50 or Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50 as part of your daily daytime skin care routine.
If you think you might be dealing with hyperpigmentation from hormonal changes, it's best to consult with your doctor so they can really assess your situation.
Whether you are here to prevent, protect or treat your hyperpigmentation concerns, the key to having healthy, glowing skin is to invest in your skin health today.
FAQs: Your Hyperpigmentation Questions, Answered
What’s the difference between hyperpigmentation and melasma?
Melasma is a hormonal form of hyperpigmentation that appears as symmetric patches, while general hyperpigmentation includes spots from sun, acne, or injury.
What does hyperpigmentation look like?
Hyperpigmentation appears as patches or spots that are darker than your natural skin tone. The color can vary depending on your skin tone and the cause – ranging from light brown or red to deep brown, gray, or even purple.
In lighter skin tones, discoloration often looks like pink or red. In deeper skin tones, it may appear as dark brown, blue-gray, or nearly black patches. It can show up anywhere on the body, but is most common on the face, neck, chest, and hands – areas frequently exposed to the sun or inflammation.
Can hyperpigmentation go away on its own?
All skin is uniquely different. In some cases, PIH can fade within 6-12 months with consistent sun protection.
How long does hyperpigmentation take to fade?
The time it takes for hyperpigmentation to fade depends on the cause, depth and type of discoloration. PIH from acne or irritation may begin to lighten within 4-12 weeks with consistent care. Melasma and sun-induced spots often take longer – sometimes several months – to visibly improve.
For fast results, clinically tested formulas like Dermalogica’s PowerBright line can help accelerate progress. PowerBright Dark Spot Serum begins to fade dark spots in just one week*, while PowerBright Dark Spot Peel visibly lifts dark spots in 5 uses.**
*Independent clinical test, 33 subjects, 1 application per day for 8 weeks.
**Independent clinical results with 33 volunteers, 5 applications.
