What is hyperpigmentation? 

Hyperpigmentation is when patches of the skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin due to an excess of melanin and it can go into an overdrive during the warmer months. This is because the melanocytes in our skin respond to heat and sunlight by producing more melanin in an attempt to protect us, and to protect the skin from sunburn and skin cancer. Malfunctioning of the melanocytes can happen in those who are more prone to hyperpigmentation from sun damage than others. What you see on the surface of the skin is the tip of the iceberg, with worse pigmentation in the deeper layers that rise to the surface over time.

What causes hyperpigmentation? 

Dr Yusra specialises in treating hyperpigmentation at her premium Harley Street and Liverpool clinics. She believes that prevention is better than cure and extols the virtues of high factor SPFs. This is because sun damage is cumulative and damage done in our 20s will show in our 30s and our 40s, with age spots appearing over time and becoming wider. However, once the damage is done, there are ways to reverse it.

Who is prone to hyperpigmentation?

​According to Dr Yusra, it’s easy to identify those most likely to be affected: “those at risk of hyperpigmentation tend to be Fitzpatrick skin type three, four or five – they will almost never burn and usually tan. Skin pigmentation can also be hormonal and women who are taking HRT, the oral contraceptive pill or who go through pregnancy can also find that their skin is prone to these changes.”

How do you treat hyperpigmentation?

Dr Yusra shares her advice on how to tackle hyperpigmentation:

Opt for medical grade prescription skincare rather than over-the-counter remedies to treat pre-existing hyperpigmentation. 

These will penetrate into the deeper dermis, allowing cellular change and have formulations and enzymes aimed at reducing hyperpigmentation and improving cell turnover.

Some of the best products for hyperpigmentation are medical grade ones, with the best treatment being a combination of four percent hydroquinone with tretinoin, both of which are only available on prescription. Hydroquinone is the ‘gold standard’ for treatment of hyperpigmentation and is often used in combination with antioxidants and hydroxy acids retinoids. Tretinoin is also known as retinoic acid and is the generic name for synthetic vitamin A.  

When it comes to non-prescription or over-the-counter products, Dr Yusra believes that the best ones are mainly about prevention. She cites vitamin C as an essential buy, as it promotes collagen formation, reduces age spots, brightens the skin and helps to strengthen SPF eight fold. 

Choose in-clinic solutions, such as INTRAcel, the Obagi Blue Peel and the ZO three-step skin peel to expedite the treatment process, lifting pigmentation and improving skin texture and radiance.

Dr Yusra’s treatment of choice is the ZO three-step skin peel, which would need to be performed across three to six sessions monthly in order to see sensational results. This would need to be supported by daily use of bespoke medical grade skincare and Dr Yusra would recommend a four month course of medicated skincare. 

She also recommends INTRAcel treatments. This is an in-clinic procedure which combines micro needling with radio frequency, allowing deep penetration of the medicationslift any residual pigmentation and tighten up the skin. Unlike laser procedures or surgery, INTRAcel protects the surface of the skin from damage and the treatment is targeted at variable depths below the skin surface, meaning that healthy skin is left undamaged causing minimal pain and discomfort.

High factor SPFs are essential to preventing hyperpigmentation – but not all SPFs are created equal. 

Choose a stand alone SPF of over 30 and with a high PA factor, and apply it as the last step in your skincare routine. If you are acne prone, she suggests opting for a mineral spf with Zinc Oxide, which is healing on the skin.



An SPF evangelist, Dr Yusra believes those prone to hyperpigmentation should use a high factor product every day and states that sunbeds should be absolute no go for those affected.

She recommends topping up your SPF every two hours, and this can be with a powder or a mist. However, if your face is directly in the sun then topping up every 10 minutes is recommended.  

To control pigmentation, Dr Yusra recommends wearing a factor of 30 or above, alongside wearing wide brim sun hats and large sunglasses. Her recommended SPF would be a mineral with an SPF of 50, that offers UVA, UVB and infrared protection and this should be applied all over exposed areas. 

Also according to Dr Yusra, many products are actually chemical SPFs that are reliant on a chemical reaction to provide adequate protection, and those chemicals are absorbed into the body, with new evidence demonstrating that these can be endocrine disruptors. Chemical SPFs are cheap and found in most over the counter SPFs and she recommends avoiding these if you can afford a mineral SPF. When it comes to her own skincare, Dr Yusra always opts for a mineral SPF, with her preferred products being either Obagi SPF50 matte or Colorscience mineral face shield. A good combination of chemical and mineral SPF is Heliocare 360 which offers a high level of protection.

To find out more or to book a consultation, please contact us.

More Face Articles

Your journey starts here

Anayah
Anayah
2023-02-16
Dr Emily made me feel at ease and explained everything thoroughly, as a first person attending , the staff are lovely would highly recommend
Hana Algeilani
Hana Algeilani
2023-01-31
I have been a patient of Dr Yusra for almost a decade. She is exceptionally knowledgeable, hard working, talented and kind hearted. I trust her implicitly with my face and I am a very critical person. I whole heartedly recommend her to my friends and family
Angela Law
Angela Law
2023-01-26
I have visited Dr Yusra Clinic several times. The clinic in Liverpool is beautiful and all her staff are amazing. Dr Yusra is a very knowledgeable and kind doctor. My skin is vastly improving with her advice and treatments.
Gemma Cribb
Gemma Cribb
2023-01-25
I just wanted to reach out and say a huge thank you to you all from my visit as a model yesterday. From arrival to departure. You made me feel welcome, at ease and excited for my treatment. Although I’m swollen and a bit bruised today, I’m so excited to see my outcome and journey start to feel my own worth again and I cannot thank you all enough. Dr Yusra, as Expected was outstanding professionally and I felt her confidence instantly made me feel at ease. Even down to getting me some soup for lunch. Just shows how much you care for the people behind the skin as Much as making them look and feel great!
SD18 D
SD18 D
2023-01-24
Excellent results from Dr Yusra - thank you so much!
Waldemar Spetany
Waldemar Spetany
2023-01-23
Great customer service and fantastic time
Hayder Hassan Al Kazaz
Hayder Hassan Al Kazaz
2023-01-23
Amazing experience! Everyone at the Clinic was extremely professional, polite and friendly! Dr.Yusra herself is phenomenal. She has great knowledge, listened to exactly what I wanted and most importantly the results were what I dreamed of! Highly recommend to all and will be back soon! Thanks again
Joanne Hunt
Joanne Hunt
2023-01-19
I am writing this review to highlight the experience I have had while being at patient with Dr Yusra over the last 3 years I supply bespoke Italian medical wear and this is how I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Dr Yusra and her team. I meet and work with a number of wonderful clinics on a monthly basis, mostly in the London area however I still choose Dr Yusra to handle all my facial Aesthtics, most importantly this is who I also recommend to all my friends. The reason I choose Dr Yusra - Highly qualified Knowledgeable and skilled An eye for perfection and precision to deliver Gentle, compassionate and ethical Natural looking result driven for the patient Holistic approach to all treatments No pressure to commit to treatments or products Access to all the latest techniques and treatments Great clinic atmosphere and team Always a great experience to visit the clinic. I trust Dr Yusra with all my heart and would recommend anyone looking for the above to have a consultation and see for yourself the results are overwhelming. I can't recommend the clinic enough
F Taher
F Taher
2023-01-19
I can’t recommend this clinic enough, especially Dr Yusra. So much care and attention is put into each consultation. She provides excellent care and treats you in a holistic manner. She’s not afraid to tell you that you don’t need a particular treatment so is very ethical in her approach is so rare nowadays. You’ll no doubt be in wonderful, safe and capable hands.