What Is Hyperpigmentation

Have you ever wondered what those pesky, brown and dark spots on your skin are? Well, this article has you covered from head to toe about hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation literally means increase or deepening of the skin color or skin pigment. Hyperpigmentation is the appearance of dark and blotchy spots on the skin. The skin darkening phenomenon is due to increased amounts of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that produces your natural skin color. When the amount of melanin increases in your body it can lead to the appearance and formation of dark spots and blotches on your skin, not only limited to your face, but it can occur on the body as well.

A lot of people suffer from hyperpigmentation in various forms.

Different Types of Hyperpigmentation

Speaking of different forms of hyperpigmentation, there are many kinds of hyperpigmentation issues, which are very common in a lot of people. They are:

1. Appearance of Freckles

Freckles are the most common kind of hyperpigmentation. Freckles are the formation of small and dark spots right under your eyes and on your nose. Freckles are mostly limited to the cheek region of your face, but they can progress on your body as well. Freckles are very common in young girls, usually in their teens. Freckles occur when the melanin increases in sparse amounts, which causes formation of small dark spots on the face and body.

2. Change in Skin Tone

If you witness your skin color changing altogether, then the melanin in your skin might be greatly increasing. Change of skin tone is a superlative form of hyperpigmentation. It mostly happens to people who have high exposure to the sun or work outdoors a lot and they will see their skin color changing over time.

3. Melasma

Melasma is the deepening of skin tone in patches or blotches. It is more noticeable than freckles, but it is a change in skin tone altogether. Pregnant women usually suffer from melasma, because their melanin levels increase in certain parts of their skin, due to hormonal changes. It mostly happens around the cheek region or it can happen on the body as well, appearing as dark patches of varying sizes.

What Are the Causes of Hyperpigmentation?

There are a number of causes of hyperpigmentation, some of which are:

1. Sun Exposure

Too much sun exposure can lead to increased levels of melanin in your skin, which, in turn, can cause hyperpigmentation. People with freckles and hyperpigmentation are advised to avoid too much exposure to the sun, otherwise, it can make the hyperpigmentation worse.

2. Acne Scars

If you have had acne in the past, then the remaining acne scars can become hyperpigmented since the melanin is increased in your skin. Acne scars can darken over time if they are not taken care of properly, and it can lead to severe hyperpigmentation as well.

3. Pregnancy and Hormonal Issues

Pregnancy can lead to hyperpigmentation. During pregnancy, women suffer from a lot of hormonal imbalances and these hormonal imbalances can lead to fluctuated levels of melanin in their skin leading to hyperpigmentation and freckles.

How To Cure Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is curable and there is no need to worry that your skin will look uneven forever. Some remedies and precautions for hyperpigmentation are:

· Making sure you are not exposed to the sun too often. Since sunlight can increase melanin in your skin, it is best to go out in the sun wearing sunscreen of at least SPF 25, if you must go out in the sun. Make sure to re-apply your sunscreen every couple of hours to ensure protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun.

·You can also opt for topical creams, which include Vitamin C, hydroquinone, etc., which act as melanin dissolvers and lighteners.