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Hyperpigmentation

As the breakdown of the word makes clear — “hyper” = more and “pigment” = color — the condition known as hyperpigmentation occurs when some areas of the skin appear darker than others. Hyperpigmentation can appear as brown, black, gray, red, or pink spots or patches, also called age spots and liver spots. Hyperpigmentation can occur in one spot on the body, such as the face, or all over the body. 

Small spots of hyperpigmentation are very common and usually not a sign of anything serious. However, some people experience hyperpigmentation in the form of large, hard-to-conceal patches that stretch across the body and face. In these cases, hyperpigmentation can cause self-consciousness and psychological distress and lead individuals to seek treatment.  

What Causes Hyperpigmentation? 

The short answer to what causes hyperpigmentation is excessive amounts of melanin. Melanin is a naturally occurring substance inside the skin that makes it appear darker. However, when skin cells are damaged, melanin production can increase, leading to clumping in a particular area and the appearance of discolored spots or patches. For some people, this may be genetic, meaning their bodies produce melanin in an uneven way because of their genes, and this tendency may run in families. 

More importantly, there is a clear underlying cause of hyperpigmentation — damage to the skin cells. This can occur in a variety of ways, such as: 

  • Sun exposure: This is probably the most common environmental cause of hyperpigmentation. The UV rays from the sun damage skin cells, leading to an overproduction of melanin (i.e., a “tan”), but sometimes this may happen in an uneven manner, leading to the development of spots called solar lentigines. 
  • Hormonal fluctuations: Hormones can also affect the production of melanin. This means increased hormone levels during periods like puberty and pregnancy may lead to hyperpigmentation. In addition, medical conditions, such as Addison’s disease, which affects your body’s production of the hormone cortisol, can also lead to hyperpigmentation. 
  • Trauma or skin inflammation: Injuries to the skin, including wounds and severe acne, can lead to hyperpigmentation as the production of melanin may increase in areas where the skin heals. Other skin conditions, such as melasma and thyroid disorders, can also lead to inflammation which results in the body trying to “heal” an area of the skin, resulting in in hyperpigmentation. 

How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation

There are some causes of hyperpigmentation, such as genetics and hormone fluctuations, that are impossible to avoid. In these cases, the best way to prevent severe hyperpigmentation is by implementing a solid skincare routine that includes gentle products designed to help manage skin tone and reduce areas of hyperpigmentation. 

Perhaps the best way to prevent hyperpigmentation is to avoid the sun as much as possible. The damage from UV rays can be minimized by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily as well as taking care to wear protective clothing and avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. This type of vigilant skin care will not only help to prevent hyperpigmentation from forming, but it also protects your skin from other common conditions such as premature aging and even skin cancer. 

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