There are many different methods out there to treat hyper pigmentation and clear dark spots and patches on your face or body. In this article, we will go through some of the most effective and trusted treatments that you can easily do at home.

1. Begin with manually exfoliating. This is so simple yet extremely effective! If you've only had dark marks for a couple of months, they may just be contained within the top few layers of your skin. So, you should be able to remove them by simply exfoliating your face or body. Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of skin, allowing the new, clear skin to come straight to the surface.

Some of the best exfoliating products contain tiny particles that gently scrub the skin to take off the top layer. Apply the exfoliator to the dark spots in circular motions.

2. Apply a topical acid treatment. These contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA'S), beta hydroxy acids (BHA'S) or retinoids. The application of these various acids removes the top layer of dead skin cells. This allows the new fresh cells to grow so that the skin is quickly rejuvenated. These treatments can be used to treat hyperpigmentation of all types.

AHA'S include glycolic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid, lactic acid and others.

These acids exfoliate the skin very effectively, but are gentle enough for people with sensitive skin. AHA'S can be found in serums, creams, moisturisers and peels.

A BHA is commonly known as salicylic acid. Salicylic acid can be found in creams, serums, cleansers or peels.

Retinol, also known as vitamin A is a type of retinoid. Retinoids are a group of chemical compounds related to vitamin A.

When retinol (vitamin A) is applied to the skin, it is converted into retinoic acid which is the active form of the vitamin. This is the unique part that works effectively on skin cells in a multitude of very beneficial ways. Retinol works to speed up the turnover of skin cells, fades hyperpigmentation marks, stimulates the production of collagen, and helps to hydrate the skin. It increases the skin's radiance and leaves the skin clearer and more even toned. Thanks to all this speedy skin renewal, retinol can treat and prevent many skin concerns from acne scars, eczema, sun damage, dark marks and age spots.

Also, look out for product that contain a combination of the following ingredients: Arbutin, Licorice Extract, Cucumber, Kojic Acid, Malic acid

3. Consider using a chemical peel. If surface treatments don't sufficiently fade your dark spots, you might want too try a chemical peel. Chemical peels effectively remove the top layers of your skin. They usually contain the acids mentioned above in high concentrations.

These chemical peels usually include AHA'S. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are common ingredients and they are considered to be the most effective peels for dark spots.

4. Try products that contain Vitamin E. This is a very powerful antioxidant that helps to repair damaged cells and strengthen new ones. You can use skincare treatments with Vitamin E as a topical treatment alone, or boost it's benefits by taking food supplements that are high in Vitamin E.

By applying these methods to your skincare regime, you should really see some amazing results and be well on the way to achieving a clear, radiant and even skin tone.