{"id":3880,"date":"2026-07-16T14:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=3880"},"modified":"2026-07-16T14:37:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:37:02","slug":"dermatologists-say-hyperpigmentation-peaks-in-the-summer-heres-how-i-keep-mine-in-check","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=3880","title":{"rendered":"Dermatologists Say Hyperpigmentation Peaks in the Summer\u2014Here\u2019s How I Keep Mine In Check"},"content":{"rendered":"


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For years, I scoured the skincare shelves for products that would fade the dark marks left from my acne. I felt like I tried everything<\/em>: serums, creams, and scrubs that claimed to fade \u201cacne scars<\/a>.\u201d After finding a dermatologist who specialized in melanin-rich skin, I realized why my dark spots weren\u2019t fading. The products I was using weren\u2019t made for the kind of scarring I had\u2014I needed to specifically target hyperpigmentation.<\/p>\n

Instead of harsh exfoliators and aggressive ingredients, my derm told me to be easier on my skin. I was skeptical. I had some pretty heavy-duty scarring, and gentle didn\u2019t seem like it was going to cut it. What about the \u201cif it\u2019s burning, it\u2019s working\u201d or \u201cbeauty hurts\u201d approach to skincare I had always heard? But my derm insisted that nourishing my skin, supporting its natural healing process, and using ingredients that targeted excess melanin production, would finally get me to the point of seeing results.<\/p>\n

Desperate to try anything, I tried something I never expected as a reformed beauty maximalist<\/a>: doing more with less. And it worked. My scars started fading faster than ever before. But hyperpigmentation is something I\u2019ll always be dealing with, so I checked in with skincare experts to see if I should update my hyperpigmentation summer skincare routine for summer. I spoke to Malika Sloan, licensed medical aesthetician and the founder of Sloan Studio<\/a> in New York City, and Dr. Sheila Farhang<\/a>, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology in Tucson and Beverly Hills. They both agreed: hyperpigmentation can peak in the summer.<\/p>\n

Read on for their expert recommendations on how to protect your skin in the summer, prevent hyperpigmentation, and support your skin health.<\/strong> Plus, I’m sharing my personal selection of the best hyperpigmentation products to keep me skin glowing\u2014even in the peak of summer.<\/p>\n

What is Hyperpigmentation?<\/h2>\n

Hyperpigmentation, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH, is, in its simplest terms, the dark spots left behind after a breakout. It\u2019s not\u2014as I assumed in my youth\u2014the same as acne scarring (which usually refers to textured skin) or lingering redness. Hyperpigmentation is common, but still misunderstood.<\/p>\n

\u201cHyperpigmentation is the darkening of the skin caused by an increase in melanin production,\u201d explains Sloan. \u201cIt can be triggered by sun exposure, inflammation, wounds or acne, hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, underlying skin conditions, and even some foods.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Dr. Farhang, almost all hyperpigmentation falls into these categories:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Sun-induced: <\/strong>Sun spots, uneven skin tone<\/li>\n
  2. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation:<\/strong> From acne, irritation, inflammation, or injury to the skin<\/li>\n
  3. Melasma: <\/strong>Worsened by sun exposure and heat in the setting of genetics and hormone predisposition<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In all cases, hyperpigmentation is the skin\u2019s defense mechanism. \u201cOur skin sees excessive sun exposure as a threat, so it responds by producing more pigment as protection,\u201d says Sloan. \u201cIt’s actually one of our body’s smartest defense mechanisms, but unfortunately it’s not always the defense mechanism we want.\u201d<\/p>\n

    PIH, specifically, is your skin attempting to heal after a breakout. And it’s more common in people with darker skin tones, says Dr. Farhang. \u201cPeople with a deeper skin tone are more responsive to triggers such as inflammation, UV sun exposure, visible light (screens, indoor lights, etc.), heat, and hormones.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Why Does My Hyperpigmentation Get Worse in the Summer?<\/h2>\n

    According to Dr. Farhang, \u201cHyperpigmentation gets worse in the summer due to increased sun exposure<\/a>. The heat can also contribute to hyperpigmentation in the setting of melasma.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The catch-22 comes in treating hyperpigmentation: Many of the ingredients used to treat hyperpigmentation make your skin even more<\/em> sensitive to the sun. But that extra sun exposure in the summer doesn\u2019t mean stopping your skincare routine. It\u2019s simply a call to be more strategic.<\/p>\n

    How to Treat Hyperpigmentation, According to a Dermatologist<\/h2>\n

    For our skin to heal, we should treat our acne like any other wound\u2014with care. You wouldn’t douse a hand cut with sanitizer every morning and night. Dermatologists agree: The key to healing your skin (no matter the season) is supporting, preserving, or healing your skin barrier. And this all depends on how your skin feels. If your skin is overly reactive and sensitive, you might have a compromised skin barrier. <\/p>\n

    1. Avoid aggressive ingredients<\/h3>\n

    I personally damaged my skin barrier with too many actives and scrubs ( Dr. Farhang warns against \u201caggressive physical exfoliation\u201d because it might damage the skin barrier). It was a negative feedback loop: I\u2019d break out more, then overcompensate again until I finally prioritized healing.<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t make my mistake. \u201cDon’t skip hydration. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see every summer. People assume that because they’re oily or sweaty, they don’t need hydration, when in reality that’s often when their skin needs it most,\u201d says Sloan. \u201cSummer skin is all about balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

    According to Sloan, you should remember “consistency rather than intensity. Everyone wants to throw the kitchen sink at pigmentation, but summer usually isn’t the time for that. I’m a huge believer in controlling inflammation, wearing SPF religiously, and using pigment-suppressing ingredients that can safely be used year-round. My goal in the summer isn’t necessarily to erase pigmentation overnight\u2014it’s to prevent it from getting worse while keeping the skin healthy and strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI always tell my patients to avoid starting any new harsh skincare ingredients aggressively,\u201d says Dr. Farhang. This might look like introducing too many acids at the same time (such as glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid, kojic acid, and tranexamic acid). You might also be starting prescription retinoid too fast. Whatever you\u2019re doing, you can ease your skin into new products for a balanced hyperpigmentation routine.<\/p>\n

    2. Introduce pigment inhibitors<\/h3>\n

    While you should be cautious about your skin barrier, you don\u2019t have to compromise your routine, says Dr. Farhang. \u201cYou technically don\u2019t (and shouldn\u2019t) stop skincare ingredients in the summer\u2014especially the pigment inhibiting\/correcting ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Treating PIH is about being proactive in preventing it. Pigment inhibitors prevent excessive melanin production before<\/em> the dark spots sprout. Farhang recommends ingredients such as:<\/p>\n