Fade Away: How Long Do Dark Spots Last?

As hyperpigmentation can make your skin look dull and tired, it is only natural to look for ways on how to get rid of dark spots fast. Unfortunately, many types are stubborn to treat. While some do fade or improve naturally, others can take years to lighten or even worse due to sun exposure and other skincare habits.

So, how long do dark spots last? There is no specific answer as it depends on several factors. Continue reading as we list the things that affect how long dark spots last and the treatments our aesthetic clinic in Singapore recommends to lighten these spots and restore your youthful glow. 

Factors that affect how long dark spots last

The longevity or duration of your pigmentation varies depending on several factors such as the underlying causes, skin type or color, and the chosen treatment. Here’s a brief rundown of each of the factors.

The underlying cause

In many cases, the duration and the treatment depend on the cause of your dark spots. If the pigmentation, for instance, is due to a skin injury or trauma, you may see a dark spot as the wound heals. This may fade after a few months. It is important not to reinjure your skin as this will delay the healing process.

Skin conditions such as acne and eczema also fade on their own over several weeks to months. When the flare-ups or breakouts stop, they start to lighten as you manage to get rid of what causes the hyperpigmentation. It is also important not to pick your acne or blemishes, as this will only lead to further darkening or scarring.

Skin type

Hyperpigmentation in darker skin types or those with melanin-rich skin fades more slowly than lighter skin tones. Darker skin is also more susceptible to hyperpigmentation as it makes melanin or pigment more easily and there is more of it in response to skin injury, sun exposure, and inflammation. 

Severity or color of pigmentation

If the color of the spot is only on the surface or close to your original skin tone, the fading process is likely to be shorter, like several days to a few weeks. If it, however, lies deep within the skin, like blue or gray in color, it may take years for the spots to fade. The same is also true for dark brown spots or those darker than your natural skin tone. 

Certain conditions

For certain types of pigmentation caused or triggered by hormones and chronic sun exposure, such as melasma, the fading process can take a few months or longer. It can also depend on the person as for some, melasma may go away on its own, while for others it can be permanent. 

Chosen treatment

Your treatment for pigmentation can affect how long your dark spots will last. Early treatment provides favorable results, but you still have to wait weeks or months for them to fade, depending on the effectiveness of the product and severity of pigmentation. Certain treatments such as chemical peels and laser therapies can fade or visibly reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation over time. 

For further reading: Hyperpigmentation: Why Do Dark Spots Come Back?

What Cutis recommends

At Cutis, we have several treatments that can fade or lighten dark spots and bring back your youthful glow. These include:

Limelight PhotoFacial – is an intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment that delivers intelligent pulses of light customized to your skin tone. This targets the pigmentation, drawing out dark spots on the skin’s outermost layer. Light brown spots, which were previously difficult to treat or resolve, also respond well to Limelight.

With this treatment, it’s normal for the dark spots to turn darker, but know that they scab and fall off after five to seven days. This unveils a brighter and healthier complexion. Limelight also stimulates collagen production to rejuvenate the skin and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. 

Benefits include: 

• Repairs sun-damaged skin
• Reduces the look of lines and wrinkles
• Treats or lightens pigmentation
• Improves facial redness and tiny facial veins
• Can treat the face, neck, and décolleté

VI Peel Precision Plus – is a type of VI Peel designed to treat sun damage, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This features a formula that inhibits melanogenesis or the process of producing pigment by melanocytes (pigment-producing cells). It fights pigmentation and restores skin to its natural health. 

Benefits include: 

• Promotes rapid cell turnover
• Exfoliates and helps reduce pigmentation and textural damage
• Penetrates damaged skin area
• Improves skin tone

Dermamelan – is a medical depigmenting treatment that features a double corrective and regulatory action. It can lighten visible pigmentation and help regulate the overproduction of melanin to prevent the reappearance of dark spots. Dermamelan can help treat:

• Melasma
• Sunspots
• Freckles
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Blotchy skin

The treatment involves an in-clinic phase where the solution is applied by your aesthetic doctor. You will then have to remove it at home after a few hours and follow an at-home protocol to prevent the reformation of spots or keep the overproduction of melanin under control.

Book a consultation

Getting rid of hyperpigmentation fast involves the right treatment and protecting your skin from the sun and other factors that can worsen your dark spots. If you need help fading dark spots and discolored patches on your skin, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore to learn more or schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.