Tanned skin does not just deal with skin colour or dull skin but the UV rays in the sun causes freckles, hyper pigmentation and also early signs of ageing like fine lines. Today we will see different ways to treat pigmentation and get even toned skin.

Where do we get pigmentation?

It is different for everybody. Pigmentation around the lips and mouth, pigmentation around the eyes or around the neck are more common.

Sometimes pigmentation and tanning, pigmentation and blemishes, pigmentation and dark spots accompanies each other. 🙁 It is important to consult a doctor if home remedies do not work for you. A dermatologists may put you on a course of treatments including chemical peels and potent creams. Pigmentation can be treated so cheer up 🙂

Hyper pigmentation is caused by the over production of the pigment melanin at certain areas of our body. It usually appears as spots or patches and is considered harmless. There are various reasons  for hyper pigmentation such as acne, inflammation, pregnancy hormone changes,and sun damage.

Picking the skin whenever you have acne or bug bites causes skin injuries that leaves a mark. There is a misconception that this skin discoloration will fade if we exfoliate. Of course, over time it may fade but there are cases where it might darken too. Let’s talk about prevention and treatments now.

1. Sunscreen:

The first step in treating pigmentation is to prevent further damage. Even if you have heard the importance sunscreen a hundred times sometimes we need to hear it again and again for us to finally start using sunscreens. This is so important in preventing further damage which eventually results in premature ageing.

Sunscreen either physical or chemical work by blocking or reacting with the uv rays in the sun thus preventing our skin from its effects. Glowing skin care routine is never complete within sunscreen that too with an spf of 50+++ or higher.

When you are at home it’s fine to use something below 30 spf but if you are going out in the peak hours then use a sunscreen with an spf above 50+++ . Reapply it atleast twice if you are outside for more than 6 hours.

Cover you hands using long sleeves or gloves while driving and your face with a hat or scarf/ shawl. Those sunglasses you own are not only for fashion. You will look like a terrorist but it’s worth it. 🙂 Dont depend on sunscreen alone as we usually dont apply the recommended amount of sunscreen. You can try the below type of variation if you dont like layering too many products.

The Faceshop Oil Control Water Cushion SPF50+, PA+++
The Faceshop Waterproof BB SPF50+, PA+++

Sunscreen recommendation for every skin type here

2: Vitamin C serum:

Vitamin c helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles as it stimulates collagen production. Apart from skin lightening properties it also protects the skin from environmental pollutants and works well with sunscreen to prevent sun damage. Make sure that the product is in the form of L Ascorbic acid and is at least 10-15% potent.

List of Vitamin C serum available here
Homemade recipe for Vitamin c serum here

I have written another article including vitamin c benefits on our skin and products that are available. Vitamin c is an antioxidant that helps in skin lightening. You can prepare a serum at home too though you will have to prepare a new batch every week.

These two steps are important in protecting your skin and getting brighter clear skin. Let’s discuss about the face packs that work for skin tan and discoloration. You have to use it twice a week for three months to get desired results. These are the face packs that worked for my normal sensitive skin.

First we will take a look at the diy recipes to treat pigmentation.

Homemade Face Masks:

chickpea flour-1 Tbsp
Honey- 1 Ts
Turmeric- 1/2 Tsp
Milk powder- 1Tbsp

If you have extra dry skin add few drops of olive oil to this to moisturizer your skin

Pigmentation Treatment mask:

Pineapple- 1 small piece
Almond powder- 1 Tbsp
Honey- 1 Tsp
lemon juice- 1 Tsp

Dry skinned beauties should add olive oil or one vitamin e capsule to prevent dryness. You may feel tingling sensation due to the acids present in them. Lemon juice may make your skin sensitive so do not skip sunscreen to prevent further damage.

Third face mask:

Rice flour- 1 Tbsp
Raw milk- as required to mix
Honey-  1 Tsp
I used to add sandal wood powder to this mixture but that’s  just optional.

Massage your skin with curd if you were out in the sun. You can also use aloevera gel to soothe your skin, it does help with any redness or burning sensation. Aloin present in aloevera extract has pigmentation reducing properties.

Include

• Rose hip oil
• Aloevera gel
• Cucumber
• Neem
• Lemon juice
• Papaya and
• Honey

Make sure to remove makeup before going to sleep. Don’t skip any of the steps , you may have to continue the routine for three months . Be consistent. If your skin react negatively to any of these recipes stop them and use skin soothing creams like,

 face and body soothing gel line of juju aloe or Fresh lotus soothing gel from Jeju 

Facial Sheet Masks To Treat Pigmentation

I have written a separate article on, The Best Sheet Masks Recommended To Get Rd Of Pigmentation And Uneven Skin tone. Will be published in 2 weeks

I have written a seperate article on this subjest. Click to Read,

The best Sheet Masks for Pigmentaion and Uneven Skin Tone

• Blueberry face mask helps regain skin suppleness and prevent skin oxidation
• Acai berry face mask Improves skin resilience and provides moisturized firmness to skin
• Kelp face mask for clarifying and purifying the skin
• Olive face mask provides ultimate moisture to soothe dry, rough skin
• Honey face mask for glowing radiance

Over the counter products to Treat Pigmentation

• Vichy Ideal White Meta Whitening Essence
• Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
• Kaya Pigmentation Free Formula
• Innisfree White Tone Up Cream
• Kaya Pigmentation Reducing Coplex
• Innisfree Whitening Pore Sleeping Pack
• Votre D-Pigmentation Cream
• Fabindia Vitamin E Cream De-Pigmentation
• Richfeel Skin Logix Whitening Advance Night Repair Serum
• Kama Ayurveda Nalpamaradi Thailam Skin Brightening Treatment

( if you are prone to breakouts then stay away from this one but it really works to brighten and fade scars)

What are the Cosmetic treatments for Pigmentation?

If you have pigmentation dermatologist generally prescribe creams that have hydroquinone, Azelaic Acid and Kojic acid.

These ingredients are 100% proven to work on pigmentation and dark spots. Hydroquinone is not meant for long term use. Get the help of a dermatologist to know the depth of your skin pigmentation.

• Topical Creams- hydroquinone, tretinoin, corticosteroids, glycolic acid or azelaic acid
• Chemical Peels-  Salicylic acid peels, TCA peels, Mandelic and Glycolic acid peels
• Laser –  intense pulsed light therapy and laser skin resurfacing

Chemical peels like Salicylic acid peels, TCA peels, Mandelic and Glycolic acid peels work by peeling off the outer layer of the skin. Multiple sessions may be required for this treatment. Laser Treatments are also available in removing pigmentation successfully.

Conclusion:

• Be consistent
• Exfoliate twice a week
• Apply your favourite mask twice a week
• Include vitamin c serum in your skin care routine
• Apply sunscreen with an spf of 30+++ or above everyday regardless of  whether its summer or winter
• Keep a skin healing/soothing cream/gel with you, it really helps
• Make sure your discolouration is not due to makeup products
• Drink lots of water and sleep well for a glowing skin
• Treatments like plastic surgery may also cause hyper pigmentation.
• You may need to consult a dermatologist for pigmentation treatment as DIY recipes will not completely get rid of them.

If nothing works, there is still the cosmetologist 🙂 Various treatments are available to lighten skin or treat hyper-pigmentation. Creams that has hydroquinone, tretinoin, corticosteroids, glycolic acid or azelaic acid are usually used to treat skin discolourations. Skin peels like salicylic acid peels work well to remove pigmentation too.

Other treatments include intense pulsed light therapy and laser skin resurfacing. Many celebrities opt for laser treatments to get that polished skin so the treatment itself might not be new to you. Salon treatments include microdermabrasion

. Give your skin time to heal in between two microdermabrasion sessions. Stay away from harsh products during the course of treatment. There isn’t any miracle product that works in a week so give it some time.