The older we get the more hyperpigmentation problems seem to surface. You may notice that your even skin tone is gone and that you now have larger spots that have begun to surface on your face, hands, and chest.

This blotchy skin can make your skin look older and even affect your own self esteem. Hyperpigmentation problems can often appear because of pregnancy or overexposure to sunlight. No matter what the cause, most women are anxious to find a solution.

When hyperpigmentation problems present themselves on the face it is known as melasma. Darker skinned women are the most prone to suffer this type of skin problem. Even though it is not as prevalent in lighter skinned individuals, it can be more noticeable.

Most melasma treatments will rely on skin whitening products and procedures to help treat this condition. These procedures strive to reduce the amount of melanin in the cells and keep its production under control. Common whitening techniques include laser treatments, chemical peels and bleaching products.

Chemical peels are a great option in the treatment of melasma because the intensity of the peel can be controlled to best suit your needs. The depth of a peel will depend on the chemicals used by the specialist performing the procedure. If at any moment you experience any discomfort, they specialist may use cooling agents or topical anesthetics to treat the problem.

Laser treatments may work on dark patches, but they can eventually lead to more hyperpigmentation and even hypopigmentation problems. The results may also be inconsistent so don't be surprised if you don't get the result you were looking for. In fact, this type of treatment is usually recommended more for darker skinned individuals than those with lighter skin.

Bleaching creams will help lighten the skin and are best suited to treat larger areas of skin. Bleaching creams are different from each other and use a variety of different active ingredients.

One of the most popular bleaching ingredients is known as Hydroquinone. This ingredient can lead to problems such as irritation or permanent discoloration. However, there seem to be safer alternatives.

Azelaic acid is one such alternative that is also used in acne medication. Kojic acid in conjunction with glycolic acid has also been proven to be a good alternative to hydroquinone.

Once you've undergone any of these products you should take special heed to the following precaution. Since bleaching procedures are meant to correct skin tone by eliminating melanin - our skin's natural sun block - then it is vital that we use a strong sunscreen to protect it. If you're not sure which SPF to use, ask your doctor to recommend one for your particular case.