Above: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
We all want even, glowing skin, but even when we get it, our work is far from over. There is still much to be done to constantly maintain the look of our skin, which may include using certain skin care products, adjusting our lifestyle habits, et cetera. Yes, it may seem like we’re going overboard, but even the smallest instance of hyperpigmentation or unevenness can ruin your complexion. If you’ve done a lot of work trying to minimize hyperpigmentation or unevenness, you don’t want to undo it completely after a few rough days or weeks, right?
However, even if you do develop hyperpigmentation or unevenness, it is not the end of the world. In fact, there are a number of things you can do to get rid of this hyperpigmentation and even stop it from happening in the first place. Today, we will share with you 3 tips on how to get rid of hyperpigmentation. Whether you want your skin to look stunning for as long as possible or you want to get rid of that current patchiness or unevenness, this article has tips for removing pigmentation for everyone so don’t miss it.
1. Keep your skin clear and acne-free
Though you may not realize it, your acne and hyperpigmentation may be connected. When acne develops, it is usually accompanied by inflammation, redness, and swelling. Those symptoms usually go away once that acne is gone, but sometimes that acne will leave behind a type of hyperpigmentation known as “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation”. Though your skin has healed, it may have produced too much melanin in the process, resulting in hyperpigmentation, unevenness, and dark spots.
You can manage post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as it happens by using your normal skincare routine and various products designed to even out your skin tone. Or, you can nip the problem in the bud by getting rid of acne or reducing your acne breakouts, thereby preventing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from developing in the first place. One way to get rid of hyperpigmentation in this manner is by unclogging your pores with a natural facial cleanser. Since clogged pores can result in blackheads, whiteheads, and acne, using your facial cleanser once in the morning and once at night can remove any dirt, excess oil, and bacteria that could cause acne.
Related: DIY Natural Face Mask
2. Don’t touch your skin
Speaking of acne, if you have any current blackheads, whiteheads, or other blemishes on your skin, try not to touch them. When a blemish develops on our skin, a lot of us spend time in front of the mirror examining this new spot, perhaps with our fingertips, and see how much of a difference it has made to our complexions. However, even if you don’t pick at your skin, touching these new blemishes constantly is still terrible for your skin for two reasons. First, if your hands aren’t clean, you could be exposing your skin to bacteria that can infect your pores, resulting in acne and potentially hyperpigmentation. Second, touching your skin can irritate it and cause inflammation, which may make these blemishes or hyperpigmentation worse.
While you can’t avoid touching your skin, you should try to resist the urge to touch it when something new appears on your skin. Plus, even when you need to touch your skin to use your skincare products, dry off your face, et cetera, the most important thing to remember is to always be gentle. There is no need to apply your skincare products aggressively, and doing so may have negative consequences for your skin. Anyhow home remedies to get rid of hyperpigmentation work better! By being gentle with your skin, it is far less likely to become irritated and inflamed, which helps lower the likelihood of developing hyperpigmentation.
Related: Hear Simi's story about how she faded her dark spots
3. Avoid harsh sunlight
No matter what season it is, sunlight can pose a serious risk to the health and look of your skin, especially when the sun is bright and unobstructed by clouds. It may feel nice to warm up under the sun, but the sun’s rays contain UVA and UVB radiation that can damage your skin cells. Your skin produces melanin to protect itself from sun damage, but if it produces too much, that can lead to hyperpigmentation. Not only that, but the sun’s rays can also lead to free radical damage, and when your skin accumulates a lot of free radical damage, it may start to look duller, more uneven, and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
Going out into the hot sun can be a little dangerous to your unprotected skin, but it is easy to work around it. One simple tip to avoid unnecessary sun damage is to be mindful of the sun’s peak hours, which are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this time period, the sun’s rays are at their strongest point of the day and are more likely to cause damage to your skin. You don’t have to stay where you are once the clock strikes 10 in the morning to prevent hyperpigmentation, but if you need to go out, be smart about it. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and stay in the shade when possible.
Follow the above-mentioned tips, and you won’t need to ask the questions “how to get rid of hyperpigmentation” or “how to prevent hyperpigmentation” ever again!
FAQs
1. Do you have a skin care routine for acne-prone skin that I can use to clear up my skin?
Yes! You can learn more about Apsara’s All Natural Acne Care Routine here.
2. Are there any alternatives to using my hands when applying my skin care products?
You can use a cotton ball, cotton swab, makeup brush, et cetera. However, as long as you wash your hands before using your products and you are gentle with your skin, you should have nothing to worry about.
3. Do you recommend also wearing sunglasses during the sun’s peak hours?
Of course! Wearing a pair of polarized sunglasses can protect the delicate skin around your eye area and help prevent the appearance of crow’s feet and dark circles.