Updated 12/2/25. Hyperpigmentation, skin discoloration, and brown spots are a huge concern for many people, and their treatment can be very stubborn. So it’s very important to understand how deep the discoloration is within the skin. Here’s how.
While pigmentation comes from hormones, genetics, birth control pills, and injury to the skin, such as compulsive skin pickers but what can really accelerate pigmentation is overheated skin from the sun’s UV rays, even when wearing sunscreen. These common occurrences can trigger melanin cells, which will exacerbate this condition. So during the summer months, especially for those in the southern states (where temperatures average in the 90s, and 100s) skin discoloration will be at its worst.
Once the fall months are underway, and the air and temperatures are cooler, the heat is not working against you anymore. This means that brown spots will fade naturally on its own, simply because of the cooler temperatures. However, adding in products that use ingredients like tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a stable form of vitamin C) and tranaxemic acid this will expedite the visible fading of summer-induced hyperpigmentation.
By the month of January, when you are now several months out of the summer heat, is when you can see the true extent of your discoloration. Whether or not you use skin brighteners and exfoliating products to treat the condition, if the issue is still prominent in January, then you definitely want to put your skin in the hands of an esthetician or skin care professional to target the deeper underlying skin issues with chemical peels, laser treatments and at-home skin care products. (Read about my Moxi laser experience)
As an Expert Celebrity Esthetician, here are my favorite recommendations for targeting hyperpigmentation and revealing the bright even-toned skin you desire.
HyperFix Fading Toner – a gentle, twice-daily toner that uses tranexamic acid that is known to stop two pigment-producing pathways.
Triple Berry Smoothing Peel – a once-a-week exfoliating peel that gentle dissolves away unwanted discoloration.
Vitamin C&E Treatment – for fading stubborn brown spots. This works wonders.
Advanced Resurfacing Serum – with pure retinol to reveal more even toned skin without harsh side effects.
Want to learn more about fading hyperpigmentation? Watch this webinar on YouTube. I do a deep dive on what is needed to get your skin brighter and more even-toned.
Comments:
Renée:
I am a 26 year old African-American male and I have had a problem with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation since I was a teen. I was thinking about getting microdermabrasian to address the problem but I’ve also read where chemical peels are helpful as well. Which procedure do you suggest for someone in my age group with a darker skin type?
Posted By: James |
Both can be helpful and are appropriate for African-American skin–but the peels can’t be too strong. I suggest you consult with a skin care professional who can talk about a treatment plan that would work for you. For home care, we have a lot of great products for you to use that will help tremendously. In fact, home care can be even more effective for fading discoloration. Our AHA Smoothing Serums are fabulous as is our Vitamin C&E Treatment. Read here for more information about caring for skin of color in your 20s. https://blog.reneerouleau.com/2010/10/skin-tips-for-women-and-men-of-color-in-their-20s/ The sooner you get on a good home care routine and professional treatments, the better.
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |