Few things can damage the skin's natural appearance as much as unsightly dark spots and uneven skin tone (also called hyperpigmentation; age, sun or liver spots; or solar lentigines).

Research indicates that more than 50% of men believe dark spots make them look older and devitalized. More interestingly, more than 50% of men don't know hyperpigmentation can actually be treated successfully, resulting in an overall healthier and younger looking complexion.

Uneven skin tone is very common, often starting to appear in men in their 20s as a result of cumulative sun exposure. It tends to get accentuated with time, so prevention and early treatment is a good idea.

Use a product with an active skin-fading ingredient. This is indispensable if you really want to see some results. Hydroquinone is the gold standard (1% to 4% concentration) used by dermatologists and skincare professionals to fade dark areas. Hydroquinone is very effective if used regularly for 4-8 weeks. Some redness might develop during treatment, so you should consult your dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or if irritation persists. Kojic Acid and Vitamin C are also used professionally to even out skin's coloration, and can complement the effect of Hydroquinone.

Gentle exfoliation will help shed the darkened, superficial cells and expose new undamaged cells. Glycolic Acid is the most recommended product for mild exfoliation. This should also improve the absorption of Hydroquinone, significantly improving the final results.

Protection from sun exposure. Sun exposure stimulates pigment production, so don't expose your skin to the sun while you are trying to fade dark areas. Fading dark spots requires a sustained approach during several weeks while pigment production reaches normal levels and the superficial cells are replaced by new cells, but the results will be worth the time investment.