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| What is Hyperpigmentation and How To Cure it? |
What is Hyperpigmentation? It is a common skin condition that causes dark spots on the face due to increased melanin production.
Melanin is the natural pigment that delivers color to our skin, hair, and eyes.
However, when it builds up in one area of the body, it can lead to darker patches of skin that are visible to others.
Hyperpigmentation can be temporary or permanent, depending on what triggers it and how quickly you respond to correct the issue.
This article guides you about what is hyperpigmentation? Its causes, effects, and treatments.
💡Table of Contents:
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a type of skin discoloration that occurs when there is increased melanin production in the skin.
It occurs due to a medical condition called melasma. Melasma is a condition in which the skin becomes discolored due to increased melanin production.
Melasma is most common in women, particularly pregnant women. It is also common in men, especially in middle-aged or older.
Over-exposure to the sun, stress, or hormonal changes are also the causes that lead to hyperpigmentation.
The Melanin Molecule: What Is Melanin?
Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment that gives our skin, hair, and eyes their color.
It occurs when a protein known as tyrosinase combines with the amino acid tyrosine.
Melanin is produced in specialized cells called melanocytes located in the bottom layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin).
These cells are also involved in the production of the pigment melanin. Melanin is of two forms, Eumelanin and Pheomelanin.
Eumelanin is dark brown or black, and pheomelanin is yellow-red.
Types of hyperpigmentation:
There are two types of pigmentation: Epidermal and Dermal pigmentation.
The most common type of pigmentation is epidermal or superficial pigmentation.
It occurs by exposure to ultraviolet light and is known as sun spots.
The second type is dermal pigmentation, also known as subcutaneous pigmentation.
It occurs due to deposits of hemosiderin (a breakdown product of old red blood cells).
Here are some types of pigmentation:
There are two types of hyperpigmentation: post-inflammatory, which occurs after a pimple or wound has healed and left a scar.
Intrinsic refers to the spots that appear on the skin due to aging or sun damage.
Hyperpigmentation can also occur on different body parts, known as melasma.
Freckles: Freckles are flat, yellow-brown spots that occur due to an increase in melanin.
They are present on the face and are more common in younger people.
Melasma: The most common form of hyperpigmentation is melasma.
Which typically appears on the face, particularly on the forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip, and above lips.
Melasma occurs due to hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy.
Inflammatory skin conditions: Inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea and perioral dermatitis can also cause localized pigmentation.
What causes hyperpigmentation on the face?
Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of the skin. It can result from acne or injury to the skin.
People with darker skin tones are more likely to have hyperpigmentation because melanin levels are naturally higher in darker skin.
People with lighter skin tones can also have hyperpigmentation.
It occurs when melanocytes produce more melanin than regular such as with melanocytic nevi.
Hyperpigmentation is also Known as pigmentation. What causes hyperpigmentation on the face, and what can you do to treat it?
According to research, hyperpigmentation is caused by hormone changes or sun exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Several factors can trigger an increase in melanin production.
The main ones are sun exposure, hormonal changes, and skin damage from acne, aging, or blemishes.
No matter what causes your hyperpigmentation, treatments are available to treat it effectively. And get back to the clear skin.
Treatments for hyperpigmentation:
Treatment depends on the type and severity of hyperpigmentation.
In most cases, treatments are essential to eliminate dark spots.
Many of the treatments involve exfoliating the skin. The most common exfoliation are chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and facials.
These methods work well for mild to moderate hyperpigmentation, but severe cases may require laser treatments or skin resurfacing.
There are a lot of treatments out there that claim they can help with hyperpigmentation. Not all of them will give the kind of results you want.
Intense Pulse Light Therapy: In fact, there is only one treatment that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, Intense Pulse Light Therapy (or IPL).
IPL is a type of treatment that uses intense pulsed light to target and destroy the melanin in your skin.
Melanin is the chemical that gives your skin its dark color. When you eradicate melanin, your skin loses its dark color.
For those who want to reduce hyperpigmentation without going through the hassle of peeling or using harmful chemicals, IPL is a suitable option.
Retinoids: Retinoids work by unclogging the pores, which helps prevent future breakouts.
They also help reverse the signs of aging as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
As a result, they use to treat acne, sagging skin, and melasma.
Face acids: The use of acids as a skin care regimen has been around for decades, long before the age of lasers and microdermabrasion.
The common acids used in skincare are glycolic, lactic, and citric. They are also known as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and work by exfoliating your skin.
This process helps your skin look younger and more vibrant. It also aids in the reduction of skin pigmentation.
How long does hyperpigmentation take to fade naturally?
Hyperpigmentation occurs due to age spots, acne scars, sun damage, and medical conditions.
It can be present on your skin for a short period, or it could be present for an extended period.
The color will usually fade over time, but the time it takes may vary depending on the cause of the discoloration.
The Bottom Line:
Hyperpigmentation is a common and natural physical change that happens during the aging process.
In this blog, we discussed What is hyperpigmentation? Its causes and its effects on the face.
Pigmentation is sometimes hard to treat. There is no guarantee it will go away completely, but don't give up. Some treatments may work for you!
