- Manual Exfoliation. Exfoliating the old-fashioned way is pretty great. It’s cheap, easy to do and effective. You can scrub your face with your favorite cleanser and a face brush or a wash cloth. For the body, I like natural soaps with exfoliating particles embedded in them. The abrasive surface helps remove old, dead skin cells and leaves your face looking fresher and feeling softer. Exfoliating also makes it easier for your skin to absorb any creams or serums you may want to apply (see next step), and makes whatever makeup you use go on smoother.
- Serums and creams. Not all serums are created equal, and it can be very difficult to figure out which have ingredients that will actually work, and which are just a waste of time (and money). I prefer creams that contain retinol, which speeds up skin cell turnover. Kojic acid or glycolic acid are both good for lightening hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid is also popular for chemical peels, but any serum containing it will use a much weaker percentage. Right now I’m using a lightening serum by glotherapeutics, which also has hydroquinone, the most widely-used ingredient for skin lightening products. Whatever serum or cream you decide on, read the directions carefully before you start using it. Some creams can only be applied to the spot and can bleach the surrounding unblemished skin if you aren’t careful.
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- Microdermabrasion. This method was first popularized for its anti-aging benefits (primarily lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles), but gained popularity with younger women because its deep exfoliation is great for evening out skin tone as well. Its rapidly lowering cost has made microdermabrasion more accessible than chemical peels (it usually costs as much as a regular facial), and there are now at home-microdermabrasion machines that make it even more affordable. I have a machine by NuBrilliance, which I like a lot, but I’ve also heard good things about Personal Microderm, which is smaller and less expensive.
- Chemical Peels. Chemical peels may sound scary, but they can be very effective at stripping off old skin, and over time, can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. There are many different formulations and strengths, so selecting the right one can be tricky. I’d recommend talking to your dermatologist or a trusted licensed esthetician before deciding on a chemical peel. Incorrectly done, the chemicals used can lead to burns and scarring, which is the exact opposite of what you want. Peels are the most expensive of these options, so you may well decide it’s not worth the expense. Ultimately, I did.