Contrary to popular belief, people of color not only develops hyperpigmentation but can be more prone to it due to excessive melanin in the skin cells. Therefore, hyperpigmentation on face and other body parts is one of the most common skin issues faced by women of color.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
Besides the natural tendency of skin, hyperpigmentation can also be attributed to sun exposure, hormonal changes, and inflammation and injury of the skin. Hyperpigmentation from acne is also common among women with oily skin types.
Is Hyperpigmentation Harmful?
Hyperpigmentation refers to uneven skin tone caused by dark spots and patches. It is only a reaction of the skin and not at all harmful. Some women of color may find that the dark spots and patches on their skin vanish on their own after sometime. However, these dark spots and patches on the face and other body parts can be stress-inducing.
How to Treat Hyperpigmentation?
Since a natural component drives it, hyperpigmentation treatments cannot fully prevent skin from developing dark spots or patches. But their appearance can be greatly reduced, and their healing process, especially on the face, can be accelerated through a targeted and consistent night skin care routine.
Developing and following a night skin care routine has become essential for anyone who wants their skin to appear healthy. As an average person sleeps after following a night skin care routine, their skin gets plenty of time to work with the applied products without being disturbed by environmental factors.
An effective night skin care routine can be established to treat hyperpigmentation on face by diagnosing the root cause with the help of a dermatologist. The routine can look different for hyperpigmentation from acne than for hyperpigmentation from sun exposure. However, the general steps of a night skin care routine as hyperpigmentation treatment can include the following steps:
Cleanse the Skin
Cleansing the skin thoroughly before bed is vital to keep it healthy. Wearing makeup products to bed and the whole day’s pollution exposure can irritate the skin and increase hyperpigmentation. It is important to cleanse properly yet gently, as stripping off skin’s natural oils can also irritate it. Cleansing oils and makeup removing balms can make good additions to any skin care routine order. Double cleansing the skin with gel cleansers can also be beneficial.
Exfoliate as Needed
Physical exfoliation can be very harmful to the skin and must be avoided. However, controlled chemical exfoliation can be a useful step in hyperpigmentation treatment as it removes dead skin cells, blackheads, and white heads.
BHA, glycolic acid, and lactic acid as exfoliating cleansers, toners, and serum are popular chemical exfoliants as they suit almost all skin types. Women of color new to chemical exfoliation must always conduct a patch test near the elbow to see how their skin reacts to it. Chemical exfoliants must never be used on irritated or inflamed skin either.
Starting with 1-2% of glycolic or lactic acid can help the skin build its tolerance toward the exfoliant. Chemical exfoliation can be included in daily skin care routine orders if a mild exfoliator is used or weekly if chemical exfoliation peels are used.
Hydrate/Moisturize
For a long time, the skin of people of color has been misunderstood and generalized as oily because oil can be more visible on a dark complexion. This has led many women of color to strip their skin of oils, causing more damage. But latest studies reveal that moisture is important for all skin types. Women of color with oily skin types can greatly benefit from adding a gel or water-based moisturizer to their routine. However, if the skin is too oily, a hydrating toner can work just as well. On the other hand, those with dry or combination skin can enjoy moisturizers with thick or light yet firm textures. Repairing moisturizers with niacinamide or Vitamin C can especially help treat hyperpigmentation.
Add Anti-Aging Ingredient
Anti-aging ingredients are an essential part of the night skin care routine for women of color aged 25 and over. Though people of color can appear younger for longer, their skin tends to get affected by sun exposure and develop signs of aging. Anti-aging ingredients such as rosehip oil and carrot seed oil reduce signs of aging and the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots and patches when used correctly. Since these ingredients are naturally-derived, they work well for all skin types. Many moisturizers and hydrating toners available these days contain anti-aging ingredients. Women of color can add anti-aging ingredient after the hydration step or find a hydrating toner or moisturizer that contain these ingredients.
The routine to treat hyperpigmentation can be easily tweaked to add other products for other skin care issues. Moreover, if the root cause of hyperpigmentation is hormonal issues or medicinal side effects, a physician must be consulted to make necessary changes to control or eliminate the cause. Though not when going to bed, sunscreen must also be included in the daily skin care routine. Cleansing the face in the morning and wearing sunscreen before heading out or cooking food can keep skin from developing hyperpigmentation. It can also protect skin from other issues caused by sun exposure and slow down signs of aging.
Last but not least, making dietary changes to include healthy foods and adopting an active lifestyle can also work wonders to treat hyperpigmentation.
Exfoliate
Hydrate
Cleanse
