Have you tried treating dark spots on your own without getting the results you want? Do you see new dark spots appear as others fade? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Darks spots and patches rank as one of the most common reasons that people who have darker skin tones see a dermatologist. The medical name for one cause of these dark spots is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Some people just call it hyperpigmentation for short. Getting rid of hyperpigmentation begins with finding out why you get these dark spots or patches. If you can eliminate the cause, many spots will clear on their own and you can prevent new ones from appearing. What causes hyperpigmentation? People who have medium to dark skin tones get dark spots and patches because something triggers their skin to make extra melanin, the substance that gives skin its color. Many everyday things can trigger extra melanin in people who have darker skin tones. Dark spots and patches often appear when: A pimple or patch of psoriasis clears. A wound caused by an insect bite, cut, burn, or other injury heals. You take (or apply) certain medications. A skin or hair care product irritates your skin. Hormonal changes occur, such as during pregnancy. How do you treat hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones? Treatment depends upon what’s causing your hyperpigmentation. The following explains the treatment for each cause: A skin condition like acne, eczema, or psoriasis: To get rid of hyperpigmentation caused by a skin condition, you must effectively treat the skin condition first. When the breakouts or flare-ups stop, you get rid of what’s causing the hyperpigmentation. Most dark spots will then fade on their own over time, but it may take a long time. Skin injury: As the wound heals, you may see a dark spot or patch. In time, the hyperpigmentation will fade if you don’t re-injure your skin. Skin care product: When a skin or hair care product irritates your skin, the product can cause dark spots on your skin. If you're seeing dark spots, try using gentler products. They're less likely to irritate your skin. Products that are gentle on the skin are often labeled "for sensitive skin." You may also see "fragrance-free" on the label. When your skin is no longer irritated, new dark spots tend to stop appearing and existing spots often clear on their own over time. How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade? Once what’s causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years. Discoloration that lies deep in the skin is often slate blue to gray in color. It may also be brown, but the brown is much darker than your natural skin color. Treatment can speed up the fading of dark spots and patches. What treatments do dermatologists recommend for hyperpigmentation? Effective treatment for dark spots and patches begins with sunscreen. Whether you’re treating the dark spots on your own or seeing a dermatologist, using sunscreen is essential when you'll be outside. Applied daily, sunscreen can prevent new dark spots and patches. It can also help to clear existing ones. You’ll want to apply sunscreen to all skin that clothing won’t cover. To get the best result, dermatologists also recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outside. To get the protection you need to prevent (and help clear) dark spots, use a sunscreen that offers all of the following: SPF 30 or higher Broad-spectrum protection Water-resistance One (or both) of these active ingredients, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) formula if you have oily skin