Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition resulting in patches of skin that become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening or discoloration happens when melanocytes produce an excess of melanin at the lower layer of the epidermis. Melanin is the pigment responsible for creating the color in the body in areas such as the eyes, skin, and hair. Hyperpigmentation can affect people of any race and age, most often on areas of the body exposed to the sun.
Overproduction of melanin has a variety of causes, with the most common being sun exposure. Other causes include natural aging, hormonal fluctuations, acne, skin trauma or injury, genetics, burns, and other skin diseases.
Freckles, age spots, and other areas of hyperpigmentation usually become more pronounced with sun exposure. To protect the skin from overexposure, the melanin absorbs the energy of the sun’s UV rays, which often results in areas of hyperpigmentation becoming even darker.
Age or “Liver” Spots
Age or “liver” spots are a common form of hyperpigmentation. They occur due to sun damage and are referred to as solar lentigines. These small, darkened patches are usually found on the hands, face, back, or other areas frequently exposed to the sun and tend to be in older individuals.
Melasma is similar in appearance to age spots that are more significant areas of darkened skin that appear most often due to hormonal changes of pregnancy or birth control pills. Referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” Melasma tends to appear on the face and abdomen.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) is discoloration that remains after general skin inflammation or trauma, including acne and surgical scarring. PIH is chronic and is more common and severe in darker-skinned individuals. Skin trauma such as insect bites that are aggressively scratched, dermatitis, and burns are prevalent causes of PIH.
Prevention is vital in reducing hyperpigmentation. Therefore, sunscreen should be worn on all body parts exposed to the sun every day regardless of the weather. The best sunscreens are physical sunblocks that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that block the UV rays from being absorbed into the skin. It is also essential that the skin be treated with care, do not pick at the skin, do not aggressively scratch insect bites, always cover cuts or scratches with a Band-aid, and avoid using retinol products when exposed to the sun.
For most individuals, hyperpigmentation is one of the most challenging issues to resolve. Treatments include topical products, chemical peels, laser resurfacing, IPL (Intense Pulse Light), professional exfoliation, lightening creams, and RX products. The best option for reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation is to seek professional help to choose the best combination of treatments for your specific skin.
Our clinical providers utilize various treatments and products to treat hyperpigmentation that result in significantly improved appearance of the affected skin. The approach is different for every patient and is determined by the skin tone, texture, sensitivity, causes of hyperpigmentation, health factors, and lifestyle.
Call our office to schedule a consultation with one of our highly experienced aestheticians or CANS nurse injectors to treat your hyperpigmentation and restore your healthy, clearer skin.
– Lisa, Licensed Aesthetician