The Most Common Types of Hyperpigmentation... and What to Do About Them

While many think strong in-office treatments are needed to ward off discoloration, most people can actually start off by opting for over-the-counter remedies like the Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum, $92. "It's formulated with pure l-ascorbic acid, alpha hydroxy acids and kojic acid to remove over-pigmented surface cells, clear and illuminate skin tone and fight against environmental aggressors," explains Dr. Gross. "It has been proven to work better than prescription grade hydroquinone without any of the side effects that hydroquinone is known to have (i.e. redness, sensitivity, irritation)."

Dr. Gross says it's now his go-to, over prescription for hydroquinone. "Hydroquinone can be really irritating and can actually backfire if you're not careful by causing post inflammatory hyperpigmentation — meaning you get worse dark spots than before using it." He recommends using the IPL serum for eight weeks and then going to see your dermatologist. "Even if you go in for a professional treatment, using the serum in conjunction will help prevent new spots from forming. Professional treatments are only corrective, not preventative."

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