Got dark spots on your face? This new injectable treatment may help

Sun spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are common types of skin discoloration that occur when excess melanin — the pigment that gives skin its color — is produced.

While laser and light treatments are often used to improve skin tone and even out dark spots, these treatments are not always the best options. For example, some laser treatments can worsen melasma because they work by heating the skin, which can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Injectable tranexamic acid is a fairly recent treatment option for dark spots and it stands out for its safety and effectiveness, even when treating melasma, a skin condition that causes patches and spots, usually on the face.

What is tranexamic acid?

Tranexamic acid is a synthetic molecule that is very similar in structure to the amino acid lysine. While originally used as a treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding and hemophilia due to its ability to prevent blood clots from breaking down, tranexamic acid was also found to lighten dark spots on the skin.

“Tranexamic acid works by inhibiting the production of pigment in the skin,” explains Paula Purpera, a physician assistant at Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute in Miami (full disclosure: Dr. Leslie Baumann owns the practice). “This lightening process is attributed to the suppression of certain inflammatory chemical mediators in the keratinocytes that turn on tyrosinase, the enzyme that creates pigment in our skin.”

How is tranexamic acid used for dark spots?

Tranexamic acid can be applied topically, taken orally or injected directly into dark spots in the skin. When injected, a series of treatments typically produces the best results. When used orally, it can take two to four weeks to start to work. When used topically, it can take six to eight weeks of regular use for results to show up on your skin.

Can anyone use it?

Virtually anyone with any skin type can use tranexamic acid to treat melasma and other causes of dark spots. Unlike other acids used in skincare, tranexamic acid is not an exfoliant, so it is gentle enough for sensitive skin. However, those with a history of blood clots or clotting abnormalities should not use tranexamic acid.

Bottom line

Tranexamic acid is a relatively new treatment option for sun spots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and other causes of uneven skin tone. It is available in injectable, oral and topical forms and is generally safe and effective for all skin types.

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