Hyperpigmentation: Overview With Causes & Treatments

Hyperpigmentation or pigmentation occurs when your skin starts producing more melanin –the pigment which gives skin its color. The hyperpigmentation condition makes small dark patches or spots on your skin than surrounding areas. 

“Note: Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that affects people of all skin types.” 

Few forms of hyperpigmentation or pigmentation including melasma and sunspots are the common conditions effects the areas that are more open to sun exposure including the face, arms, and legs. However, hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, but getting pigmentation treatment at the right time is a good choice to avoid its worst conditions. 

Here are some more reasons that trigger hyperpigmentation including:

Sun Exposure: Sun exposure is one of the common reasons as its sunlight triggers the production of melanin quickly. Melanin acts as the skin’s natural sunscreen as it protects you from UV rays, but when melanin percentage starts getting fluctuating, sun rays start impacting the area which is why sun exposure drops a strong impact on your skin. 

Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations and changes are the major cause of hyperpigmentation- it is common among women and is likely to appear when the female hormones stimulate the overproduction of melanin when the skin is exposed to the sun. 

Age: As skin ages, the number of melanin-producing cells decreases but the remaining ones increase quickly and their distribution becomes stronger. These physiological influences explain the increase of age spots in those over 40. 

Pigmentation Treatments To Reduce Its Impacts:

As compares to every issue, sun exposure is one major cause due to which hyperpigmentation occurs and its treatment gets difficult if one is having strong sun exposure. Therefore, sun protection is the most important step you should take to prevent hyperpigmentation in the first place. 

So, limiting sun exposure could help you to reduce cases of hyperpigmentation. Moreover, try to keep yourself away from the UV rays during the intense hours. Also, when your skin is exposed to sun, try to apply sunscreen or sun protection products to keep your skin safe. You can use suitable SPF level cream which has been formulated for your skin type condition. 

Therapy To Reduce Existing Pigment Spots:

Though prevention is a better option, but if you have pigment spots- there are several steps you can take to reduce or fade the dark spots and pigmentation. The first pigmentation treatment is the dermatology procedure which includes chemical peels and other laser therapy- therapy is of different types that need to opt as per the skin type and tone. 

Note: Before applying or picking up any treatment, consult your dermatologist for better options.