Several scar treatments help fade dark scars, brown spots, and other types of skin hyper-pigmentation. These include:

1) Hydroquinone

2) Kojic acid

3) Vitamin C (like ascorbic acid)

4) Licorice extract and other natural scar treatments

Hydroquinone is probably the most frequently recommended lightening agent because it is generally very effective. It comes in different strengths, typically 2% and 4%. One uncommon but significant potential complication from using hydroquinone is a condition known as Ochronosis. This consists of delayed wound healing, loss of skin elasticity, and ironically, permanent hyper-pigmentation.

Hydroquinone can also occasionally cause skin allergy and a change in nail color. Because of these potential complications many European countries allow hydroquinone use only by prescription and it is also highly regulated throughout Asia. Hydroquinone does not address any other aspects of an unsightly scar other than the dark pigment. Interestingly, it’s effectiveness also decreases with repeated use.

Kojic acid is also an effective treatment for fading pigmented skin lesions like dark scars and brown spots. However, repeated use can cause skin sensitization which in turn increases the risk of contact dermatitis. Just like hydroquinone, koijic acid only improves dark pigmentation and won’t improve other facets of scar healing.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a very effective and safe pigment lightening agent when used in concentrations of 10% (or more). It also encourages production of normal, healthy collagen so it is also a very good scar treatment in general.

Unfortunately, many vitamin C skin care products (including scar treatments) become ineffective over time. L-ascorbic acid on its own is very unstable and oxidizes on repeat exposure to air and moisture. Oxidized vitamin C turns dark yellow or brown. Many products containing vitamin C are colored dark yellow or brown to begin with to disguise the vitamin C degradation. Products containing STABLE vitamin C are usually white.

Some natural scar treatments like licorice extract have potent anti-inflammatory and skin-renewal properties. Like ascorbic acid, licorice also helps fade hyper-pigmentation by decreasing activity of the enzyme tyrosinase which is responsible for melanin production. Licorice has also been shown to boost the lightening actions of vitamin C so the 2 should be combined for best results.

Whichever treatment you decide to use it is important to be patient. You will not see immediate results with any topical treatment. Be prepared to use your treatment regularly for weeks before you start to see results and also be sure to apply sun block routinely to prevent worsening hyper-pigmentation.

Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon with a special interest in the scar healing process and safe, effective scar treatments. He is also Chief Science Officer of C&H Scientific, makers of InviCible Scars Advanced Scar Therapy.

categories: natural scar treatments,dark scars,brown spots,acne,hyper-pigmentation,skin care,cosmetic,beauty,women

A handful of scar treatments have been shown to lighten skin hyper-pigmentation like dark scars, brown spots and melasma:

1) Hydroquinone (HQ)

2) Kojic acid

3) Vitamin C

4) Licorice extracts and other natural scar treatments

Hydroquinone is probably the most frequently recommended lightening agent because it is generally very effective. It comes in different strengths, typically 2% and 4%. One uncommon but significant potential complication from using hydroquinone is a condition known as Ochronosis. This consists of delayed wound healing, loss of skin elasticity, and ironically, permanent hyper-pigmentation.

Contact dermatitis and nail discoloration are other potential complications of hydroquinone use. While it can be a very effective lightening agent for darker scars, hydroquinone does not improve any other aspects of scar healing. It also becomes less effective over time and with exposure to the sun. Due to the risk of side effects, hydroquinone is only available by prescription in most European nations. It’s sale is also restricted in Asia.

Kojic acid is also an effective treatment for fading pigmented skin lesions like dark scars and brown spots. However, repeated use can cause skin sensitization which in turn increases the risk of contact dermatitis. Just like hydroquinone, koijic acid only improves dark pigmentation and won’t improve other facets of scar healing.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), along with other vitamin C derivatives, decrease melanin production (by inhibiting tyrosinase) and therefore lighten areas of hyper-pigmentation. Vitamin also improves other aspects of scar healing through its action on collagen. Scar healing is typically associated with breakdown of the skin’s normal collagen and replacement with unorganized, haphazard collagen fibers. Vitamin C has been shown to normalize new collagen production.

Brown or dark yellow vitamin C skin care products should be avoided. The coloring is used to disguise the fact that the vitamin C becomes unstable over time, oxidizes and becomes completely ineffective (vitamin C turns brown as it oxidizes). Products using STABLE vitamin C are typically white as there is no fear of the vitamin C becoming oxidized and ineffective.

Licorice extract is an effective, safe natural scar treatment: it has strong anti-inflammatory properties and accelerates skin renewal. Both vitamin C and licorice inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that causes pigmentation in response to sun exposure and skin injury. Interestingly, licorice boosts the scar lightening effects of vitamin C so the 2 should be combined for best results. As a bonus, licorice also has anti-acne effects (both prevention and treatment).

Whichever treatment you decide to use it is important to be patient. You will not see immediate results with any topical treatment. Be prepared to use your treatment regularly for weeks before you start to see results and also be sure to apply sun block routinely to prevent worsening hyper-pigmentation.

Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon with a special interest in scar healing therapies and safe scar treatments. He is also Chief Science Officer of C&H Scientific, makers of InviCible Scars Advanced Scar Therapy.