Can hormonal treatment cause skin darkening and dryness?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand how frustrating it can be to notice darkening, dullness, and dehydration of your skin after starting hormonal treatment.

Hormonal medications, especially those affecting estrogen and progesterone levels, can increase melanin production, leading to hyperpigmentation similar to melasma, but this condition is manageable and often reversible with the right care.

Kindly follow the skincare routine mentioned below. The step-wise skincare regimen includes:

1. Start with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to protect your sensitive skin barrier. The moisturiser can include ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to restore hydration and improve skin vitality. Start with a gentle cleanser containing glycerin or mild surfactants to avoid stripping the skin’s natural moisture.

2. Always apply a broad-spectrum SPF (sun protection factor) 50+ sunscreen after your morning skincare routine. Strict sun protection is essential to prevent further darkening and to support pigmentation control.

3. At bedtime, apply a pea-sized amount of 10 to 15 per cent azelaic acid cream over the face, followed by a moisturiser. Azelaic acid helps reduce hormonal pigmentation while being gentle on sensitive and dehydrated skin.

With consistent sun protection, barrier repair, and regular use of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, hormonal hyperpigmentation usually improves gradually over six to 12 weeks.

As hormone levels stabilise or treatment is discontinued, skin clarity and hydration often return naturally.

I hope this helps address your concern.

Feel free to reach out to me anytime for more queries. I am here to help you, and wish you a happy healing.

Thank you.