The older we get the more our skin becomes thin, brittle, and can often take on a dull appearance and show hyperpigmentation problems. This makes treatment difficult and at times, frustrating.

When hyperpigmentation spots appear on your face it is most commonly known as melasma. And although darker skinned women are the most prone to suffer this type of skin problem, it is more noticeable in lighter skinned individuals.

This blotchiness can lead affect your appearance and self esteem. Melasma and other hyperpigmentation problems can often appear because of pregnancy or overexposure to sunlight. No matter what causes this condition, most women can't wait to find a solution.

The most common types of melasma treatments usually rely on skin whitening products and procedures. These whitening techniques include laser treatments, chemical peels and bleaching products and strive to reduce the amount of melanin in the cells and keep its production under control.

Chemical peels are a great way of achieving a more even skin tone because they help remove damaged skin layers of the skin through the use of different acids. The depth of the peel will depend on the extent of damage. This procedure will require anesthesia, wound care and a certain amount of rest for medium to deeper peels.

Laser therapy is a common alternative, but it has varying results. As a matter of fact, it can also produce an increase in the appearance of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. This is why laser therapy is a better alternative for people with darker skin than people with fair skin.

Bleaching products are another way to get a more even skin tone. They are much more successful if used on larger areas. Two type of ingredients used are hydroquinone and azaleic acid, both used for their whitening properties.

Hydroquinone can present some problems, such as irritation and permanent discoloration. This means that you will require sun block lotions with high SPF for the rest of your life.

If you still want the bleaching properties of hydroquinone, but without the side-effect, then you can use azelaic acid. A combination of kojic acid and glycolic acid has also been proven to be a safer alternative to hydroquinone.

After having undergone any of these products you should pay special attention 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. Ask your doctor to recommend the best SPF for your particular case.