Best Dermat-Approved Sunscreens for Hyperpigmentation

Are those annoying dark spots ruining your dream of perfect skin? Love, that's hyperpigmentation at work – and it's more common than you might think. Anyone can experience this condition, however, people with darker skin tones see it more often because of their high melanin levels. Whether hyperpigmentation is caused by spending too much time in the sun, healing acne, or recovering from a skin injury, these spots hang around much longer than your average summer tan. Let's talk about why they happen and what you can do to stop them as we uncover the science behind hyperpigmentation and reveal the master solution to avoid it. 

 

Understanding Hyperpigmentation

Your skin colour comes from the pigment melanin produced by specialised cells called melanocytes that are present in the epidermis, the skin's outermost layer. Think of melanocytes as tiny colour factories in your skin. While we all have the same number of these factories, they work at different speeds. Hyperpigmentation happens when these factories go into overdrive and produce too much melanin—leading to dark spots and uneven skin tone.

When your skin is exposed to UVB rays, melanocytes kick into high gear, producing extra melanin to shield your skin from damage. This melanin is packaged into tiny capsules called melanosomes and transferred to skin cells. On the other hand, UVA rays oxidise the existing melanin, making it appear darker — giving you that instant tan. However, when these colour factories go into overdrive due to sun exposure, hormones, or inflammation, they produce excess melanin — leading to dark spots, uneven skin tone, and stubborn hyperpigmentation.

Types of Hyperpigmentation

• Age spots or liver spots: These aren’t a sign of wisdom, they indicate sun damage showing up as brown, tan, or black spots. Caused by overexposure to the sun, age spots are usually seen in older adults or people staying out in harsh daylight for a very long time.

• Melasma: These often appear as large dark patches on the forehead, face, and stomach. Linked with hormonal shifts, Melasma generally occurs in women, especially expectant mothers and the ones consuming birth-control pills.

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: An inflammatory condition, such as acne or eczema, triggers the appearance of dark spots or skin darkening on the affected body area. It's the skin's response to injury.

Several factors can stimulate melanocytes to produce excess melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation. We’ve listed the most common culprits below. 

Causes of Hyperpigmentation

• Sun exposure: UV rays from the sun stimulate melanocytes to overproduce melanin, causing sun tan and, in some cases, hyperpigmentation. Research reveals that HEVL (High Energy Visible Light) triggers immediate and persistent hyperpigmentation, particularly in those with fair to medium brown skin tones (phototypes III-V). IR Light plays a role in hyperpigmentation through vascularisation (the process by which blood vessels develop and grow). 
  
  
• Blue Light Damage: Prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices may contribute to hyperpigmentation. This can potentially manifest as mottled or uneven skin tone, which is commonly associated with photoageing and age spots. 
  
  
• Hormonal changes: Fluctuating hormones, especially during pregnancy, can affect melanin production.
  
  
• Frictional Dermatoses: Repeated trauma to the skin from friction due to scratching or rubbing against clothing can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
  
  
• Inflammation: Skin injuries, acne, and certain skin conditions can trigger inflammation, stimulating melanin production.
  
  
• Environmental Stressors: Air pollutants and other environmental stressors trigger excess melanin production by activating certain signalling pathways, resulting in hyperpigmentation.
  
  
• Medications: Certain medications, including birth control pills and chemotherapy drugs, can result in hyperpigmentation as a side effect.
  
  

Does Sun Exposure Worsen Existing Hyperpigmentation? In a word: “YES”.

Melanin serves as your skin’s natural defence by absorbing UV rays and minimising DNA damage - it jumps into action whenever UV rays hit. But here's the catch: The more time you spend under the sun, the harder your melanocytes work — producing extra melanin to shield your skin. The excess melanin builds up unevenly, making dark spots darker and leaving behind stubborn patches of hyperpigmentation. This powerful effect places the sun at the no.1 spot in the list of hyperpigmentation triggers.

Sunscreen’s Dual Role in Preventing & Fading Out Hyperpigmentation

Because of the sun’s role as a major trigger, SPF≥50 sun protection is absolutely essential for skin prone to hyperpigmentation. A good SPF≥50 sunscreen becomes your strongest ally, capable of preventing new dark spots and helping existing ones fade, especially in darker skin tones. We’ll delve deeper into how the right sunscreen can transform your skin and discover the best sunscreens for hyperpigmentation to help achieve that flawless, even skin tone you're looking for. In addition, for the sun-protection plan to work, your sunscreen is required to be effective and needs to be worn faithfully and correctly everyday. 

Sunscreen can be broadly classified into two main types:

• Physical/mineral sunscreen forms a protective physical barrier over the skin to reflect the sunrays.
• Chemical sunscreen maintains an absorptive layer over the skin, taking in the sunrays and converting them into harmless heat.

 

Best Sunscreens for Hyperpigmentation

Dark spots don't stand a chance when you pick the right sunscreen. For maximum protection and fading power, always choose sunscreens that feature:

• SPF of 50 or higher

• Broad-spectrum protection

• Water resistance

• Depigmenting ingredients

• Noncomedogenic formula

One of the top dermat-prescribed sunscreens that tick off all the boxes outlined above and more is Heliocare 360º Pigment Solution Fluid Sunscreen. Formulated with the patented Spanish Fernblock®+ Technology developed by Harvard medical experts, this cutting-edge sunscreen goes beyond full-range sun protection against UVA, UVB, IR-A, and HEVL rays. It also prevents skin DNA damage and puts up a strong anti-pollution shield. While this sunscreen primarily prevents new dark spots, its formula loaded with antioxidants, depigmenting ingredients (Niacinamide and Ellagic Acid), and Iron Oxide Pigments also fades out the existing hyperpigmentation over time.

How to Achieve 2X More Benefits from Your Sunscreen

Want your sunscreen to work its hardest? The difference between adequate and excellent sun protection lies in how you use it. Follow these key practices to ensure you're getting well-deserved sun protection every time you step outside. 

Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before heading out: Your sunscreen needs around 15 minutes to be fully absorbed into the skin and begin working its magic. If you wait until you're already outside, you're leaving your skin defenseless during that absorption period. Those first few minutes without full protection are all it takes to start hyperpigmentation.

• Use 2-3 fingers of sunscreen: As a rule of thumb, layer 2 or 3 of your fingers with sunscreen for direct facial application. However, this is a standard measure only for the face. When it comes to body application, your clothing choices determine how much you'll need.
• Protect exposed body skin: Your everyday outfit likely leaves certain areas like your hands and neck uncovered. For these exposed spots, opt for either a sunscreen tube or the convenient Heliocare Advanced Spray SPF 50 for quick, even application and reliable protection.
• Shield up before swimming: Whether you're rushing to the pool for that skinny dip or heading out for a jog, slather on the best water-resistant sunscreen for hyperpigmentation to arm yourself with a powerful sun shield that stays put through water and sweat.
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours: The potency of your sunscreen may wear off after a while due to a number of reasons. The solution? A fresh application every two hours - no exceptions.

 

The Key Takeaway

Remember - Understanding hyperpigmentation and its triggers is crucial in maintaining flawless skin tone. Sun exposure being the major culprit makes daily sunscreen a non-negotiable. To make your case stronger, choose the best sunscreen for hyperpigmentation. It not only prevents the symptoms but also treats already existing ones. 

Ready to take control of your hyperpigmentation? Start your suncare routine with Heliocare today.