What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation causes patches of skin to become darker than the surrounding skin. It occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
Hyperpigmentation is the term used to describe areas on uneven pigmentation in skin. It appears as darkened patches or spots on the skin that make skin look uneven.
It is something that affects women of color, especially black women the most. The overproduction of melanin can be triggered by sun damage or hormones. It can affect your face, knees, elbows, and neck area. Some forms of hyperpigmentation can also come from a change in weight and skin friction.
Types and symptoms
What causes and/or triggers hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin. Melanin is the natural pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes their color. A number of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age and skin injuries or inflammation.
Hormones
Hormonal influences are the main cause of a particular kind of hyperpigmentation known as Melasma or Chloasma. It’s particularly common among women and is thought to occur when the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate the overproduction of melanin when skin is exposed to the sun.
Hyperpigmentation can also be a side effect of certain hormone treatments.
Sun exposure
The body produces more melanin to protect the skin from prolonged exposure to the sun. This can cause dark spots or patches on the skin called age spots or sun spots.
Skin inflammation
Areas of skin can darken after people have had inflammation of the skin. This can include acne, eczema, lupus, or an injury to the skin. People with darker skin are more likely than others to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Melasma
Darker patches of skin can form when people experience hormonal changes. This type of hyperpigmentation is common during pregnancy.
Reactions to drug use
Certain medications, such as antimalarial drugs and tricyclic antidepressants, can cause hyperpigmentation. In these cases, patches of skin may turn gray.
Chemicals in topical treatments can also sometimes cause hyperpigmentation.
Medical conditions
More serious causes of hyperpigmentation include Addison’s disease and hemochromatosis.
Addison’s disease affects the adrenal glands. It can cause hyperpigmentation in certain areas of the body, including the:
- folds of the skin
- lips
- elbows and knees
- knuckles
- toes
- inside of the cheek
Hemochromatosis is an inherited condition that causes the body to contain too much iron. It can cause hyperpigmentation, making the skin appear darker or tanned. Hyperpigmentation can occur when iron levels are five times higher than usual.
How to Treat it?
Hyperpigmentation is often harmless and may require no treatment at all. However, some people may prefer to remove it. For those who do, various treatment methods and home remedies may help.
Topical creams
Many people use topical treatments to treat hyperpigmentation. Topical treatments will include ingredients that can lighten the skin:
Tropical Skyn created a several products specifically for hyperpigmentation that’s gentle enough to be used on both your face and body. The powerhouse ingredients used will target dark spots, blemishes, and scars gently, without any harsh chemicals or lightening agents.
Prevention
It is not always possible to prevent hyperpigmentation or stop it from becoming more prominent, but there are some ways to reduce the risk. You can do so by:
- Protecting the skin from the sun by using a sunscreen of spf 30 or higher.
- Avoiding picking at the skin after an injury or when there are spots, scabs, or acne.