Thanks to my on-going battle with hyperpigmentation, bi-yearly moderate peels have become part of my skincare regimen.   I've been fighting hyperpigmentation since what seems like the beginning of time (or more truthfully, since I learned what the brown spots on my face were back when I worked at Cosmo).  For me, it's 100% from the sun.  While I used to bake in tanning beds when I was young (I was an idiot), as soon as I became an beauty editor (over a decade ago), I've been shunning the sun or at least slathering my skin in SPF and being diligent about reapplying.  No matter how careful and mindful I am, the hyperpigmentation always comes back.  Therefore, after the summertime, I always do a good peel as a jumpstart to a new skincare regimen with a focus on lightening.