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Topical retinol gel or creams. Your acne may appear to get worse before it gets better because it will work on the pimples that have already started forming beneath your skin. It must be used continuously and may take 8-12 weeks to get results.

Isotretinoin: This is a potent medicine that attacks all four causes of acne - bacteria, clogged pores, excess oil, and inflammation (redness and swelling). About 85% of patients see permanent clearing after one course of isotretinoin.

The most common topical prescription medications for acne are:

• Retinoids and retinoid-like drugs. Drugs that contain retinoic acids or tretinoin are often useful for moderate acne.
• Antibiotics. These work by killing excess skin bacteria and reducing redness and inflammation.
• Azelaic acid and salicylic acid.
• Dapsone.

Oral isotretinoin is the most effective treatment for stubborn or scarring acne and needs to be prescribed by a specialist dermatologist.

Drugs that contain retinoic acids or tretinoin are often useful for moderate acne. These come as creams, gels and lotions. Examples include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage, others).

Salicylic acid: This active ingredient helps unclog pores and prevent new acne breakouts. Retinol: This can unclog pores and fade dark spots. You'll find benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinol in acne products that you can buy without a prescription.

Wash your face using luke warm water and pat dry. If your face becomes too dry then apply some antiseptic lotion or moisturiser. Baking soda helps to keep the skin pores clean by removing bacteria and excess oil that causes pimples. Lemon acts as a natural bleach that lightens the skin and remove dark spots.

How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade? Once what's causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years.

Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations. Use of commercial tanning lamps and beds also can cause age spots.

Medical treatments

• Retinoids: These medications are a common acne treatment.
• Hydroquinone: Studies show it reduces the size, color, and severity of dark spots.
• Glycolic acid peel: Research suggests that adding regular acid peels to hydroquinone treatments significantly improves results.

• Glycolic acid. Ditch your face scrub (sorry, but scrubs are generally too aggressive for skin that's prone to dark spots and hyperpigmentation anyways), and get yourself a chemical exfoliant/acid, instead.
• Salicylic acid.
• Gluconolactone.
• Retinol.
• Niacinamide.
• Hydrocortisone cream.
• Hydroquinone.
• Vitamin C.