Understanding Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Colour: Causes, Types & Treatments
- felicia Goualin
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Author: FeliciaPauk | info@fellysaas.com
Reading Time: 6–8 minutes
🧬 Introduction: Why It’s Different for Us
Hyperpigmentation affects everyone, but in melanin-rich skin, it’s often more intense, longer-lasting, and more distressing.
Whether it’s dark marks after acne, melasma, or uneven tone—skin of colour deserves targeted, evidence-based care. Unfortunately, many mainstream solutions fail to recognise the unique needs of darker skin tones.
Here’s what you need to know about pigmentation, what to avoid, and what truly works.
🎯 What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is the overproduction or uneven distribution of melanin—the pigment that gives skin its colour.
It shows up as:
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) – after acne, eczema, or cuts
Melasma – hormonally driven patches, often on cheeks/forehead
Sun Damage – from excess UV exposure
PIE (Post-Inflammatory Erythema) – red-pink marks, more visible in lighter-toned POC
Hyperpigmentation in Skin of colour
💥 Why Skin of Colour is More Prone
Melanocytes in darker skin are more reactive. Even minor trauma—like a pimple, waxing, or harsh scrub—can trigger melanin overdrive.
Trigger | Why It’s Worse in Melanin-Rich Skin |
Acne | Inflammation → overproduction of pigment |
Heat/Sun | Higher UV sensitivity = more uneven tone |
Aggressive skincare | Risk of burns, irritation, and dark marks |
Hormones | Stronger expression of melasma-related genes |
🔍 Even chemical peels done incorrectly can worsen it.
🧪 Clinically Proven Ingredients That Work
Not everything marketed for “brightening” is safe. Stick to these derm-approved actives:
Ingredient | What It Does | Safe for POC? |
Niacinamide | Reduces melanin transfer + calms skin | ✅ Yes |
Azelaic Acid | Fades marks + anti-inflammatory | ✅ Yes |
Vitamin C | Antioxidant + pigment suppressor | ✅ Yes |
Tranexamic Acid | Great for melasma | ✅ Yes |
SPF 30+ | Prevents darkening + rebound | ✅ Yes |
🚫 Be cautious with:
Hydroquinone (over 4%)
Strong glycolic acids (if unsupervised)
My Clinical Product Protocol for PIH
🧴 AM:
Felly Brightening Cleanser
Niacinamide Serum
Vitamin C + SPF 30 Tinted
🌙 PM:
Gentle Cleanser
Felly Glycolic acid -Toner
Azelaic Acid /AHA
Peptide Repair Moisturiser
🛍️ Shop the full Pigmentation Set:🔗 Felly Skincare Store
🔥 Bonus: Ingredients to Avoid
If you have skin of colour, stay away from:
Lemon juice DIYs (photosensitive + burns)
Scrubs with walnut shells (causes microtears)
Undiluted essential oils
Unregulated skin-lightening creams
⚠️ These can cause permanent damage like ochronosis.
💬 What My Patients Say
“After my acne cleared, I was left with dark patches for months. I used Felly Skincare’s Glow Set and noticed real change in just 4 weeks.”— Amaka, Manchester
“Melasma destroyed my confidence. The AI quiz + skincare plan from FellySaas was the first thing that actually helped.”— Lina, Croydon
🧠 Tips for Faster Results
Be consistent for at least 6–12 weeks
Reapply SPF every 2–3 hours
Avoid picking spots or scabs
Use a gentle, hydrating base under any actives
Combine topical skincare with anti-inflammatory diet (green leafy veg, berries, omega-3)
🧬 The Power of AI + Skin of Colour
At FellySaas, our AI skin tool is trained on diverse datasets—specifically to address the unique pigmentation patterns in Black, Asian, and Latino skin tones.
📲 Take the AI Skin Quiz to get a personalised pigmentation plan—built by science, not stereotypes.
🧘🏾♀️ From FeliciaPauk
“I’ve seen too many people of colour use harsh, unsafe products to ‘bleach’ their skin. My mission is to empower, not erase. Your skin is beautiful—we’re just helping it be healthy and even-toned.”
📌 Call to Action
✨ Struggling with dark marks or melasma?👉 Try GlowWise AI Now🛍️ Shop Felly Skincare Pigmentation Kit
📧 Book a one-on-one consult: info@fellysaas.com
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