Hyperpigmentation

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition where excessive melanin production in the skin causes it to darken. That can occur in small patches or cover large areas of skin, or skin may darken over the whole body because of this condition. There are three types of hyperpigmentation. Individuals with melasma will have darkened skin on the stomach or face. Sunspots are solar lentigines, a very common form of hyperpigmentation caused by excessive sun exposure. When skin darkening is caused by inflammation or injury this is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

Melasma is the result of hormonal changes in the body, and when pregnant women have hyperpigmentation, it is usually due to hormonal changes. Women who use oral contraceptives and have their hormone levels altered because of it may have it too. People with naturally darker skin are more likely to have skin become even darker because of hyperpigmentation. Another factor can be photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight) from Rx drug use increasing the likelihood of solar lentigines.

Skin trauma or burns, or endocrine diseases like Addison’s disease can also be behind what causes hyperpigmentation. Ochronosis can cause darkening of the skin too, and chemotherapy drugs may increase the chance cancer patients have hyperpigmented skin.

Hyperpigmentation Symptoms

Darkened skin seen on different areas of the body is always going to be the most common one. Skin discoloration and a rougher texture to skin are also possibilities with hyperpigmentation symptoms. People with solar lentigines will have spotting of affected skin that will worsen with continued excessive sun exposure.

Hyperpigmentation Treatment

The most conventional approach to hyperpigmentation treatment is applying hydroquinone-based topical medications like Melacare if a person has darkened skin because of melasma. Using topical retinoid medications like Retin-A gel may also be effective to counter hyperpigmentation.

It’s best to try to prevent hyperpigmentation and that is best done with a high-SPF sunscreen. For melasma it may also be best to avoid or limit the use of certain medications that affect hormone levels.