Acne is one of the most common skin issues among people of all ages. It comes in many forms, and its list of causes is long and involved. This is why dealing with acne is often so frustrating and discouraging. 

No one likes waking up to an acne breakout. Even if you’ve already found a cleanser or a face mask that does the trick for you, it can still take days for that breakout to fully disappear. 

But what if your acne never really goes away? What if it leaves behind a mark that remains far longer than the pimple itself? If that’s the case, you may be experiencing hyperpigmentation acne, a form of acne that leaves behind a dark spot after the breakout disappears.

If you struggle with this issue, you’re not alone—it’s actually very common. In this article, we’re going to explore all the ins and outs of hyperpigmentation acne to help you recognize, treat, and prevent this condition.

 

What Is Hyperpigmentation Acne? 

 

Understanding the definition of hyperpigmentation acne is the first step towards figuring out exactly how to treat it. Because there are so many different kinds of acne, identifying your specific issues can actually be quite challenging, especially if you’re new to the skincare world. However, there’s no need to stress—we’re here to help.

Hyperpigmentation acne is a form of acne that leaves behind dark spots after the acne itself has healed. If you’ve ever had a pimple that disappeared and left a dark spot in its wake, it was probably hyperpigmentation acne. This issue is most common for people with darker skin tones, but it may affect anyone. 

There is another notable difference between hyperpigmentation acne and other forms of acne. With hyperpigmentation acne, the blemish often appears as a dark spot or a patch as opposed to a raised pimple (also known as a comedone).

As such, both the causes and treatments for hyperpigmentation acne differ from comedogenic acne. Continue reading as we delve into everything you should know about those differences.

What Are the Common Causes? 

 

All forms of acne, from blackheads to whiteheads to fungal acne, stem a wide range of potential causes. Unfortunately for us, this makes preventing acne a lot more difficult (though not impossible). Thus, familiarizing yourself with the most prevalent causes of hyperpigmentation acne is an important way to understand this problem more fully and treat it properly.

Hyperpigmentation itself occurs when the body produces extra melanin, the substance that gives the skin color. When melanin overproduction occurs, dark spots form on the surface of the skin.

So, why does hyperpigmentation occur when a pimple begins to fade? The answer here is that the body tends to overproduce melanin in response to inflammation. So, if you have a highly inflamed acne breakout, it may trigger hyperpigmentation. Likewise, picking or popping a pimple may lead to the formation of dark spots.

Moreover, we should note that certain activities may darken these spots. For example, increased exposure to UV rays will certainly cause dark spots to grow even darker.  

As we noted earlier, some people are more likely to experience hyperpigmentation acne. As of now, researchers are not sure why this is. More research is needed to figure out exactly what makes hyperpigmentation more intense for certain people.

 

How Can You Treat Hyperpigmentation Acne?

 

No matter the cause of your hyperpigmentation acne, you’re probably looking for an effective treatment. Honestly, those dark spots that arise after pimples fade away are usually more concerning than the actual pimple itself. They can be very difficult to treat, which is an understandable cause for frustration.

Fortunately, you’re not completely out of luck. There are plenty of viable ways to treat hyperpigmentation acne. We’ve compiled a list of the most effective, natural treatments for this issue—so let’s get into it.

 

Vitamin C 

 

Vitamin C is a huge player in the skincare game, and for very good reason. It has natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s very beneficial for the skin. Among those numerous benefits is the ability to help fade dark spots on the skin.

Vitamin C has been shown to help decrease melanin production. Of course, overproduction of melanin is the definition of hyperpigmentation. So by combatting this issue, Vitamin C may help prevent and fade dark spots. 

If you’re hoping to use Vitamin C in your battle against hyperpigmentation acne, you’re in luck. There are countless skincare products that use this ingredient, including our powerful Vitamin C Clay Mask. Our all-natural clay mask is packed with Vitamin-C-rich superfoods, like Desert Lime, to help you deal with hyperpigmentation.

 

Aloe Vera 

 

Aloe vera is another popular ingredient that can be used to fight hyperpigmentation, and it’s all-natural—it comes directly from the aloe vera plant.

What makes aloe vera an effective treatment for dark spots is one of the compounds it contains, called aloin. This compound has been proven to fade the appearance of dark spots. It’s completely non-toxic and highly effective.

If you want to take advantage of this substance, all you need is some aloe vera gel. Simply apply the gel to your dark spots before you go to sleep at night. Then, rinse it off when you wake up in the morning. Repeat this process each night, and hopefully, you should begin to see results.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Apple cider vinegar is another natural substance that serves as an excellent treatment for dark spots. It contains acetic acid—a compound, like aloin, that has been shown to help fade hyperpigmentation. 

To use apple cider vinegar on your skin, all you need to do is mix equal parts vinegar and water in a mixing bowl. Then, apply the liquid to the affected areas. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. You can repeat this process every day, twice a day, until you begin to see a change. It’s so simple!

 

Are There Any Medical Treatments? 

 

Although we’re in full support of natural, at-home remedies, sometimes your skin just needs attention from a professional. Perhaps these natural treatments just aren’t getting the job done, or perhaps your hyperpigmentation is linked to a medical condition. Either way, you may want a more intensive remedy for your dark spots.

So, are there medical treatments for hyperpigmentation acne? The answer is yes! Here is a short list of some of those treatments:

 

 

Chemical peels.

Microdermabrasion.

Laser skin resurfacing.

Medication.

Cryotherapy.

 

We recommend visiting a dermatologist to learn more about these professional treatments. And, if you believe that your hyperpigmentation may be linked to a health condition more serious than acne, be sure to visit a doctor right away.

 

Final Comments on Hyperpigmentation Acne 

 

If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation acne, we feel your pain. It’s an incredibly frustrating skin issue, especially because those dark spots are so stubborn. We hope this article has given you a little bit of hope—there are plenty of ways to treat this issue, and it’s all about finding what works best for you.

 

Even if you don’t succeed at first, hang in there. Once you figure out a treatment and skincare routine that’s effective on your unique skin, you’ll be so glad you never gave up.

 

Sources

 

Hyperpigmentation acne: Causes and treatment | Medical News Today

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Acne | VeryWell Health

Home Remedies for Pigmentation: How to Remove Dark Spots | Healthline