The older we get the more hyperpigmentation problems seem to surface. You may notice that you no longer have the same, even skin tone you had when you were younger. In fact, you may spot small and even larger spots that have begun to appear on your face, hands, chest and back.

This blotchy skin can make your skin look older and even affect your own self esteem. Hyperpigmentation problems are often caused by hormonal issues that may appear during or after pregnancy and can also be caused by over exposure to the sunlight. No matter what causes this condition, most women can't wait to find a solution.

When this skin condition presents itself on your face it is 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.

Most often melasma treatments rely on skin whitening products and procedures. 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.

The intensity of a chemical peel can be controlled to best suit your needs, making it a great option in the treatment of melasma. The depth of the peel will depend on the chemicals the specialist uses to perform it. Any discomfort that you might feel can be treated with cooling agents and/or topical anesthetics.

Laser treatment will work on melasma, but it can also 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.

A bleaching cream will lighten the skin and work best over larger areas of the skin. There are a variety of active ingredients that different bleaching creams contain.

One of the most popular bleaching ingredients is known as Hydroquinone. This ingredient may lead to a few minor problems such as irritation or discoloration, but there are safer alternatives.

Azelaic acid, also used in acne medication, is a common alternative to hydroquinone. 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.