How to Even Out Discoloration on Darker Skin Tones

Root Out the Cause

Before you can start treating your dark spots, it's important to know why you have them in the first place. "The absolute best way to treat hyperpigmentation is first to identify the cause and see if any exacerbating factors can be reduced," says Narurkar. "For example, with melasma, going off the pill can help.” If your post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is caused by acne, make an appointment with your derm to clear up your breakouts before addressing your dark spots.

Protect Yourself From the Sun

The most tried-and-true way to keep your dark spots from worsening is by protecting them from the sun. "There is one key component necessary for successful at-home treatment of hyperpigmentation: Strict and obsessively consistent avoidance of sun exposure is mandatory," Kraffert reiterates. "Just one day of unprotected sun exposure can disrupt and even destroy the benefit from months of meticulously applied brightening creams. Effective broad-spectrum sun protection, sun avoidance, and sun-protective clothing are essential for lasting results."

Consider Hydroquinone

Joyce Imahiyerobo-ip, MD, notes that hydroquinone is the traditional gold standard of chemical lightening agents. "It works by inhibiting an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is required for melanin and pigment production," she explains. "It can be purchased over the counter in strengths of 1 percent to 2 percent. However, it is available by prescription at much higher doses."

She suggests using this ingredient with caution, though. "The concern with hydroquinone is that it can also bleach normal skin, many experience skin irritation, and if it is used for an extensive period of time it can cause paradoxical skin darkening. However, it is a powerful pigment fighter."

Check Out Tranexamic Acid

According to Imahiyerobo-ip, tranexamic acid is a newer ingredient that is being used to treat hyperpigmentation. "It specifically addresses the role that UV light plays in melanogenesis," she says. "Tranexamic acid can be used orally or topically to treat stubborn pigmentary conditions like melasma. It is important to see a board-certified dermatologist before taking this medication orally. However, there are some great topical preparations that have become widely available."

Add Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Your Routine

Dennis Gross, MD, recommends using products with brightening and anti-inflammatory benefits like bearberry extract, mulberry extract, azelaic amino acid, and licorice root extract. Two other important ingredients to seek out are ferulic acid and vitamin C. Ferulic acid is a plant-based antioxidant that enhances the properties of other vitamins and provides protection from sun damage. Vitamin C is an antioxidant with powerful skin-lightening properties that helps protect against free radicals and UVA damage.

Try Retinol

Dendy Engelman, MD, is a fan of retinol because it targets tons of anti-aging concerns like your skin tone, texture, laxity, and texture. Once you find the right retinoid for your skin type, it smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, boosts collagen production, and helps banish hyperpigmentation. "Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules are my new favorite for beginners, as the ceramide acts like a buffer to prevent any irritation," explains Engelman. "Also, the capsule form ensures that each capsule is one usage, so for beginners, they’re not confused about how much product to use."

Ask About In-Office Solutions

If you're looking to speed up the process, or are battling more stubborn dark spots, you can always approach your derm about in-office solutions. Two options they will likely present are lasers and chemical peels.

According to one of our experts, however, these treatments aren't created equal when it comes to deeper skin tones. Gross says you shouldn’t look to lasers to take care of your hyperpigmentation when you have dark skin. While they work well for many with lighter skin, on darker skin, the laser may not accurately target the brown spots—potentially making your discoloration worse.

While lasers might be a no-go, Gross says the safest in-office procedure to treat hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones is a series of peels to resurface the skin. For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma, superficial peels—such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid—are often among the go-to treatments.