SHOP 15% off all Acne Products. Shop 20% off when you buy 2+
Tranexamic Acid for Stubborn Hyperpigmentation
If you struggle with stubborn dark spots, uneven skin tone, or melasma, you may need medical-grade skincare to lift the deeply rooted pigment in your skin. Meet Tranexamic Acid - a powerhouse active ingredient rapidly becoming the gold standard for shattering hyperpigmentation that refuses to budge.
What is Tranexamic Acid?
Tranexamic acid comes from the amino acid lysine and has traditionally been used as an oral medication for blood clotting and heavy menstrual bleeding. However, when applied topically it has a brightening skin effect and can alter the way cells produce melanin.
When your skin is triggered by UV rays, heat, hormonal fluctuations, or inflammation (like an acne breakout), it releases a compound called plasmin which tells your pigment-producing cells to produce melanin creating dark patches on your face. Tranexamic Acid intercepts the communication between the cells - calming inflammation so pigment production doesn't take place.
What Types of Discoloration Does It Treat?
Because it targets the inflammatory pathways, Tranexamic Acid is versatile and is often a dermatologist-recommended ingredient for:
-
Melasma: Tranexamic Acid calms the hyper-reactive vascular pathways feeding melasma patches.
-
Sun Damage & UV Spots: Excellent for reversing the visible brown spots and freckles left behind after a long summer.
-
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Those red, pink, or dark brown marks that linger after an acne blemish has healed.
Hydroquinone is a common lightening agent that bleaches the skin and often used to treat melasma as well, however it isn't as gentle as Tranexamic Acid and can cause more irritation.
How to Add It to Your Routine
Because Tranexamic Acid does not strip the skin barrier or increase photosensitivity (sun sensitivity), it is remarkably gentle and safe for all skin types and tones. However it's still important to slowly introduce it your routine with just a couple of days a week before using daily.
You can include your corrective Tranexamic Acid for hyperpigmentation after your cleanser and before your moisturizer and sunscreen. Tranexamic acid can also be used with retinol and is recommended that tranexamic acid serums be applied before retinol. It's also important to avoid using other actives (brightening agents) at the same time as it can increase the risk of skin irritation, dryness, and flaking.
Don't forget that no dark spot corrector or brightening serum will work if you skip sunscreen. With consistent use of tranexamic acid skincare, you may be able to see noticeable results in 8-12 weeks.
Ready to brighten your complexion? Explore our curated collection of dermatologist-recommended tranexamic acid serums for stubborn dark spots and the best melasma treatments and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation products now at Dermshop.
Sources:
https://www.skinceuticals.ca/en_CA/skincare-advice/ingredient-glossary/tranexamic-acid.html?srsltid=AfmBOopSdbocqFyIE2RVQ0zDboYx2-h8JSLofOwtVwAUcqIAFa4ieKHE
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/tranexamic-acid-for-skin#benefits
https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/tranexamic-acid-for-skin-how-it-works