Seeing spots? We’ve been there. When dark spots and discoloration pop up on our faces, it can lead to a complexion that looks dull, blotchy and uneven. It’s frustrating, but don’t stress. We have the scoop on what causes discoloration—and how you can help fade these pesky patches with safe, effective, clinically proven at-home treatments for dark spots.
What causes dark spots on your face?
Dark spots and discoloration on your skin can be triggered by several factors. Your spots could be caused by one factor in particular, or a mix of several.
Sun damage: If you guessed that UV exposure contributes to dark spots on your skin, you’d be, well, spot on! As you probably know, your skin cells produce a substance called melanin, which gives skin its color. When you spend time in the sun, your skin cells produce more melanin in an attempt to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. The thing is, your body doesn’t always produce melanin evenly. “On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Dark spots from past acne breakouts are known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). What happens is that the inflammation caused by acne triggers excess melanin production in your skin. This leads to spots or patches that last long after your actual pimple has healed. PIH can occur no matter what your skin tone, but it’s more prevalent in people with deeper, melanin-rich skin tones.
Hormonal changes: Melasma is a skin condition that commonly occurs during pregnancy, resulting in patches of discoloration on your cheek, forehead and upper lip. “Melasma may also occur when you either start or stop hormonal contraception, including birth control pills, or when you take hormone replacement therapy,” according to Harvard Health. Melasma is triggered by excess melanin production, and it tends to worsen when exposed to sunlight or high heat conditions.
Blue light from screens: While the light emitted by phones, tablets and laptops isn’t as damaging as UV light from the sun, studies show it can contribute to dark spots and hyperpigmentation, especially if you have a deeper skin tone. (Click here for a deep dive into this topic!)
How can I fade dark spots at home?
Before we get into the best at-home treatments for dark spots, we need to say that no treatment will give you the results you want if you don’t commit to wearing sunscreen every day. As you’ve just read, no matter what’s triggering your dark spots, excess sun exposure is guaranteed to make them worse!
Make sure you choose a formula with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30. While it’s totally up to you whether you choose a mineral sunscreen or a chemical sunscreen, there is some advantage to choosing a tinted mineral-based sunscreen. This is because tinted mineral sunscreens are usually formulated with iron oxides.
“Sunscreens formulated with iron oxides provide enhanced protection against blue light, especially when combined with zinc oxide,” according to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. One we love: HydroPeptide Solar Defense Tinted SPF 30. Now that that (important!) point has been made, let’s get into fading those spots!
Can exfoliation help dark spots?
The answer to this is yes! Proper exfoliation can absolutely help reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration. Here’s the reason: we already learned that dark spots occur when excess melanin “clump ups” and forms spots or patches. When you exfoliate your skin, it helps to break up those pigmented dead cells and slough them off—revealing fresher, more even-looking skin underneath. In addition, gentle exfoliation removes the superficial layer of dead skin cells that can prevent skincare products with spot-fading ingredients (more on that in a minute!) from penetrating properly.
LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning is a dermatologist-recommended way to exfoliate skin safely and gently, without the need for harsh scrubs or chemical exfoliants. The device uses high-level sonic vibrations and a proprietary Microfine™ Edge to gently remove the oldest layer of dead skin cells and built-up debris from skin’s surface. It has the advantage of also removing vellus hair (i.e. peach fuzz), giving you smooth and fuzz-free skin instantly.
LUXE+ only needs to be used once a week to deliver visible results. In an independent clinical study, 94% of subjects who Flashed once a week for 4 weeks had a reduced appearance of dark spots. Five minutes a week to visibly fade dark spots? We’ll take it!
What ingredients help fade dark spots?
If you’re looking for ingredients that fade dark spots at home, there are several to consider: aczelaic acid, kojic acid, retinol, Vitamin C and niacinamide can all help to even out skin tone and reduce the look of discoloration. At DERMAFLASH, we’re partial to niacinamide, which has the advantage of being gentle and well-tolerated, even if you have sensitive skin. (Retinol and vitamin C, on the other hand, can be harsh on sensitive or reactive skin types.)
We formulated out Hydraflash Cocooning Serum with niacinamide (in addition to other smoothing, brightening and hydrating actives) and we tested it to make sure it delivers real results. After 4 weeks of twice-daily use, 94% of our testers said skin looks brighter. When you pair this gentle serum with LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning—and commit to wearing sunscreen daily!—you’ll see a reduction in the appearance of dark spots, plus skin that looks overall healthier and more radiant.