Dark spots and discoloration are a common skin concern.Dark spots on your face can occur from many causes: After a rash, from a medication reaction, after a cosmetic procedure, from plucking ingrown hairs and (very commonly) after acne.
Many people with darker skin types are less bothered by acne pimples, and more bothered by the dark spots that the pimples leave behind. After all, a pimple will resolve in a few days. But the dark spot that the pimple leaves behind can last months and months.
Dark Spot Causes
Dark spots on your face can be caused by anything that leads to injury and inflammation in the skin. Dark spots like these are called postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Even the slightest rash, a bug bite or the smallest pimple can leave behind a dark spot. People with darker skin types are more likely to have dark spots left behind from inflammation or even minor skin injuries
Treating Dark Spots
There are many topical medications on the market that can help in the fading of your dark spots. Hydroquinone (which is now only available by prescription) is a popular choice. Other popular treatments include arbutin and vitamin C, which are found in the popular Obagi Medical Clear Fx Cream.
Other popular treatments for dark spots include kojic acid, azelaic acid, tretinoin, glycolic acid, tranexamic acid and niacinamide. Paula’s Choice Discoloration Repair Serum is another popular choice for fading dark spots, and contains both tranexamic acid and niacinamide.
Hydroquinone for Fading Dark Spots
Hydroquinone is a medication that has been around for decades. It works to inhibit an enzyme called tyrosinase from forming melanin. Melanin is what gives the skin its pigment and brown color. Hydroquinone can be very helpful for fading dark spots on the skin. Whether from acne, ingrown hairs, or rashes, it can help your skin return to a more even color much faster. Hydroquinone is only available by prescription in the US, and is not without controversy. Read about that here.
Conclusion
If you have dark spots on your face, it is super important to see a dermatologist first. If you have acne that is causing the dark spots, you need to attack the problem at the root. While over the counter topicals and prescription hydroquinone can definitely help with dark spots, if you’re constantly breaking out and causing new dark spots, you’ll never completely fix the problem.