Debunking Hyperpigmentation Myths With Facts

Hyperpigmentation is the most common and also the most misunderstood skin concerns of this time and age. Whether caused by acne or sun damage or sometimes even melasama, people often look for quick fixes to cure the very visible skin care concern. But they end up feeling frustrated when nothing works or in some cases even aggravate the situation causing stubborn and darker discoloration.

Now with n-number of skincare trends, hacks, and DIYs, viral tips, how can someone differentiate between fact and fiction? For example, many people believe that rubbing lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can remove pigmentation overnight or some even harm their skin thinking that they can scrub the pigmentation away.

With these solutions obviously doing more harm than good, it is critical to know how to draw the line on myths before starting a new skin care regimen. Somethingbwe are going to address through our article today.

Common Hyperpigmentation Myths and Facts Behind Them

Misconceptions around pigmentation often lead people to the route of non-performing or even harmful DIY treatments. No matter how well-intentioned the routine is, it can make the matters worse and extend it for a long time.

Let’s debunk the five most commonly thought right myths and look at the truth behind them.

Natural remedies like Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Work Almost Instantly

They can cause more serious harm than good.

DIY skincare evangelists often swear by the power of ACV lemon juice, and several present-in-your-kitchen items to fade pigmentation. Now while these ingredients do come with acids that might help with exfoliation, they are very irritating to skin specially when used undiluted. For example, lemon juice with its acidic pH can hurt the skin barrier making it extremely sensitive to the sun leading to a greater probability of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Apple Cider Vinegar, on the other side, can cause scarring and burns because of its harshness.

Instead of making your already affected skin an experimentation playground, dermatologists suggest using exfoliants with azelaic acid and glycolic acid which are known to gently resurface the real skin texture and color.

You don’t need skin care indoors

Sunscreens are often used and promoted as an outdoor product. But the sun rays don’t vanish when you are inside your house. The rays which tend to penetrate deep inside your skin and cause hyperpigmentation can easily pass through glass. So if you sit by a window or use devices that emit blue light, chances are your skin is at risk of hyperpigmentation.

Daily SPF usage – even when you are spending a majority of your time indoors is one of the most crucial ways to prevent pigmentation from getting worse. To manage this, dermatologists usually recommend using a broad spectrum SPF 30 or plus sunscreen to protect from both UV rays and blue light emissions.

Sun exposure is the root cause of hyperpigmentation

Although the sun is one of the top reasons why people get hyperpigmentation, it is not the only reason. Some of the other sources include:

Inflammation – Eczema, acne, minor cuts can cause post inflammatory pigmentation.
Medications – Some chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, or even birth control pills can make your skin prone to hyperpigmentation.
Hormone changes – Melasma or pregnancy marks have been linked to pigmentations caused by hormonal imbalance – something that becomes worse with sun exposure.

The reason you should know the different reasons is because every reasoning will come with its own set of treatments that may or may not work for other causes.

Pigmentation spots will go away on their own

When left untreated, some hyperpigmentation marks stay on for years on end.

Although mild pigmentation which happens from breakouts do fade to an extent over time, the ones caused by long-term sun damage leads to a deeper discoloration which only needs targeted treatment. The healing process, in turn, depends on severity, skin type, and where the pigmentation sits – dermal or epidermal layers of the skin.

Topical treatments like niacinamide, Vitamin C, Thiamidol, or retinoids would help speed up cell’s turnover to brighten the skin, but for pigmentation that is highly persistent you would need professional treatments such as chemical peeling or even laser therapy.

Stronger the exfoliant, faster the results on hyperpigmentation

Over-exfoliation will make hyperpigmentation worse for the long term.

While it does feel good and even tempting to think that you can exfoliate your skin enough to get rid of pigmentation, excessive face scrubbing can backfire very quickly. Moreover, overuse of physical scrubs or acids can cause inflammation, break the skin barrier – making the matter worse for hyperpigmentation.

Following a balanced approach is key here. Gentle chemical exfoliants such as ones with mandelic acid or lactic acid when used 2-3 times a week, can help fade away hyperpigmentation without any skin barrier damage. Additionally, combining exfoliant with sunscreen and hydration-rich treatment can not just resurface the original skin color but also prevent further pigmentation.

So What Actually Works for Pigmentation?

Now that we have addressed some of the common concerns around hyperpigmentation skin care, let’s look into some dermatologically approved ways to prevent or approach the issue for the long-run.

Daily SPF is a must-have

Sunscreens are not simply a measure to prevent pigmentation, it is a critical part of treating the damage that has already happened. Even the most expensive or “guaranteed” treatment you do won’t work unless you keep the UV rays that cause darkening at bay. It is important to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 in the morning and then throughout the day, especially if you are spending a lot of time in the sunlight.

Pigmentation preventing topical treatments

There are some clinically tested ingredients that are known to fade and remove pigmented spots.

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Hydroquinone
Retinoids.

When you use a combination of these in a strategically balanced routine, you will be able to get noticeable results in 8-12 weeks.

Professional treatments

For people struggling with persistent, deep hyperpigmentation, chemical treatments can accelerate results within only a few sittings.

Chemical peels – Exfoliates deeper skin layer, pushing faster cell turnover.
Laser therapy – Handles pigmentations at different levels while breaking down melanin clusters.
Microneedling – Stimulates the production of collagen while enhancing product absorption.

Now, since these treatments go too deep to solve the issue, it is highly recommended to talk to a good dermatologist before trying any of these.

Lifestyle adjustments for clearer skin

While topical treatments are important, there are several natural remedies related to your lifestyle that should be followed.

Hydration
Diet of antioxidant-rich foods
Avoid scratching and picking.

Hyperpigmentation is a complex skin care issue and the journey to treat it starts with separating truth from fiction. The golden rule that we suggest you to follow is never go behind treatments or products and even hacks that promise quick results. Your skin will take time to heal and the only way to accelerate that journey is patience and adopting a routine only after talking to a dermatologist, since every skin and underlying reason for hyperpigmentation is different.

Author Profile

Adam Regan: Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com