What is Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker than the surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment responsible for normal skin color, forms deposits on the skin. People of any race can develop hyperpigmentation, which darkens their skin.

A common type of hyperpigmentation is age or “liver” spots. Doctors refer to them as solar lentigines because they are caused by sun damage. These small, darkened patches are most commonly found on the hands and face, as well as other sun-exposed areas.

Some types of hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and sun spots, are more likely to affect areas of skin that are exposed to sunlight, such as the face, arms, and legs.

Other types of hyperpigmentation develop as a result of a skin injury or inflammation, such as cuts, burns, acne, or lupus. This can happen anywhere on the body.

Extra pigmentation in some areas of the skin is usually harmless, but it can occasionally indicate another medical condition.

Causes and Types of Hyperpigmentation

Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition that is distinguished by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. The “mask of pregnancy” is a term that is frequently used to describe this condition. Melasma develops as a result of an overabundance of the cells that give your skin its color. It is common, safe, and some treatments may be beneficial.

Sunspots

UV exposure causes sun spots on your face, which are a type of hyperpigmentation. After being exposed to the sun, your skin produces more melanin, the pigment that gives your skin color. Some areas of your skin may develop clumps of melanin or overproduce that pigment over time, resulting in a sun spot.

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Postinflammatory pigmentation is the temporary pigmentation that occurs after a skin injury (such as a thermal burn) or an inflammatory disorder (eg, dermatitis, infection). It is more common in people with darker skin (see ethnic dermatology). Acquired melanosis is another name for postinflammatory pigmentation.

More severe injury results in permanent postinflammatory hypopigmentation.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation

Melanin production increases, resulting in hyperpigmentation. Melanin is the natural pigment responsible for the color of our skin, hair, and eyes. Sun exposure, hormonal influences, age, and skin injuries or inflammation are the most common causes of an increase in melanin production.

Sun Exposure

Sunlight stimulates melanin production and is the most common cause of hyperpigmentation.

Sun exposure is the leading cause of hyperpigmentation because it is sunlight that causes melanin production in the first place. Melanin serves as your skin’s natural sunscreen, shielding it from harmful UV rays, which is why people tan in the sun. Excessive sun exposure, on the other hand, can disrupt this process, resulting in hyperpigmentation.

Hormones

Hormonal influences are the primary cause of melasma or chloasma, two types of hyperpigmentation. It is more common in women and is thought to occur when the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate melanin overproduction when skin is exposed to sunlight.

Certain hormone treatments can also cause hyperpigmentation.

Age

As skin ages, the number of melanin-producing cells (known as melanocytes) decreases, but the remaining ones grow in size and become more concentrated. These physiological changes account for the increase in age spots in people over the age of 40. More information about how skin ages can be found at skin aging.

Skin Injuries and Inflammation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs as a result of skin injury or inflammation, such as cuts, burns, chemical exposure, acne, Atopic Dermatitis, or Psoriasis. After the wound heals, the skin becomes darkened and discolored.

Disease and Medication

Certain illnesses, such as some autoimmune and gastrointestinal diseases, metabolic disorders, and vitamin deficiencies, can also cause hyperpigmentation.

Certain medications, such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, antimalarials, and anti-seizure medications, can also cause it.

Hyperpigmentation Treatments

Although hyperpigmentation is not harmful, some people prefer to be free of it. People can experiment with a variety of treatment methods and home remedies.

To prevent or slow the progression of hyperpigmentation:

Sun exposure should be avoided. To protect the skin and prevent hyperpigmentation from becoming darker, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Picking at the skin should be avoided. Avoid picking at spots, scabs, and acne to prevent hyperpigmentation from forming after an injury.

To lighten dark patches of skin and remove hyperpigmentation, people can try the following treatments:

Cosmetic Treatments

Skin Lightening Creams

Lightening creams are over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that use specific ingredients to aid in the reduction of pigmentation.

They’re typically used once or twice a day to gradually lighten the skin. Gel-based lightening treatments are also available.

The following are common ingredients found in over-the-counter lightening products:

  • hydroquinone
  • licorice extract
  • N-acetylglucosamine
  • vitamin B-3 (niacinamide)

Face Acids

Face acids, also known as skin acids, exfoliate or shed the top layer of your skin.

Many face acids are available over-the-counter in beauty and drugstores. Popular alternatives include:

  • alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, or tartaric acid
  • azelaic acid
  • kojic acid
  • salicylic acid
  • vitamin C (in the form of l-ascorbic acid)

Retinoids

Retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A, are among the oldest OTC skincare ingredients. Because of their small molecular structure, they can penetrate deep into the skin and treat the layers beneath the epidermis.

Chemical Peel

A chemical peel uses higher concentrations of acids to treat a specific area of skin. They remove the epidermis to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Chemical peels may not be the best treatment option for you if you spend a lot of time in the sun. Chemical peels make your skin more vulnerable to the sun’s rays. The sun can aggravate hyperpigmentation if you don’t use enough sunscreen and other UV protection. You should take extra precautions for at least one week following your last chemical peel.

Laser Peel

Lasers are classified into two types: ablative and non-ablative. The most intense lasers are ablative lasers, which remove layers of your skin. Non-ablative procedures, on the other hand, focus on the dermis to promote collagen growth and tightening.

Although ablative lasers are more powerful, they may have more side effects. Both destroy elements in your skin in order for new skin cells to grow tighter and more toned.

Intense Pulse Light Theraph

IPL therapy, also known as a photofacial, stimulates collagen growth in the dermis. It is common for multiple sessions to be required.

IPL is used to treat pigmentation issues in general, but flat spots in particular respond well to this treatment. It may also aid in the reduction of wrinkles, spider veins, and enlarged pores.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an in-office treatment for hyperpigmentation that only affects the epidermis (superficial scarring).

Your dermatologist will use a drill-like handheld tool with a wire brush or other abrasive attachment during the procedure. The tool is then swabbed across your skin, quickly but gently removing the epidermis. You may require multiple sessions to achieve your desired outcome.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion also involves the removal of your epidermis, but its effects extend into your dermis.

Dermatologists will use a drill-like handheld tool with a wire brush or other abrasive attachment, similar to microdermabrasion. They’ll drag the tool across your skin, quickly but gently removing your entire epidermis and the top layer of your dermis.

Home Treatments

You can treat hyperpigmentation at home in a variety of ways. While many of the remedies we present here are anecdotal, some research suggests that their main ingredients can help with skin pigmentation.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Acetic acid, which is found in apple cider vinegar, has been shown to lighten pigmentation.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been shown to lighten skin and work effectively as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment.

Green Tea Extract

When applied to the skin, green tea extract has been shown in studies to have a depigmenting effect.

Black Tea Water

A 2011 animal study discovered that black tea water lightened dark spots on guinea pigs. For four weeks, the black tea water was applied twice a day, six days a week.

Licorice Extract

Active ingredients in licorice extract have been shown to lighten hyperpigmentation caused by melasma and sun exposure.

Milk

Milk, buttermilk, and even sour milk have been shown in studies to effectively lighten skin discoloration. This effect is caused by the ingredient lactic acid.

Masoor Dal (Red Lentils)

Masoor dal face masks, which are made from red lentils, are popular as a treatment for hyperpigmentation. Though there is no evidence to support these claims, red lentils are high in antioxidants, which are known to be beneficial to the skin.

Consult Your Dermatologist

Your dermatologist can assist you in determining the cause of your hyperpigmentation and developing an appropriate treatment plan.

Whatever treatment you eventually choose, it’s critical to protect your skin from further sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Sunscreen should be worn every day. Sunscreen should be applied every morning — even if it’s cloudy — and reapplied as needed throughout the day. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.