What is Hyperpigmentation?

Do you have dark patches of skin on your face? You may be suffering from a condition called Hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation happens when your body over produces melanin in your skin. Melanin is the naturally occurring chemical that causes your skin to brown – usually as a result of tanning. Unfortunately, Hyperpigmentation may be one of the many menopause symptoms you experience.

Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin, the substance in the body that is responsible for color (pigment). Certain conditions, such as pregnancy or Addison’s disease (decreased function of the adrenal gland), might cause a greater production of melanin and hyperpigmentation. Exposure to sunlight is a major cause of hyperpigmentation, and will darken already hyperpigmented areas.

Melanin, a brown pigment manufactured by certain cells in the skin called melanocytes, is responsible for skin color. Melanin production is stimulated by a pituitary hormone called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). Other pigments appear in the skin much less often.

Hyperpigmentation may be caused by sun damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris. People with darker Asian, East Indian, Mediterranean or African skin tones are also more prone to hyperpigmentation especially if they have excess sun exposure.

During pregnancy, women may experience a form of hyperpigmentation that is called the “mask of pregnancy“. This may occur on the face or on the abdomen. Taking birth control pills will sometimes mimic pregnancy, and can cause hyperpigmentation. Often, after the pregnancy or after you stop taking birth control pills, the hyperpigmentation goes away.

Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can affect the skin color of people of any race.

Hyperpigmentation macule often is the remnant of an inflamed acne lesion. PIH macules can follow relatively minor pimples and papules, in addition to more serious lesions. However, the more inflamed a breakout, the larger and darker the PIH macule tends to be. Picking or popping a pimple increases the chance of developing postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Sun Exposure / Sun Damage

Sun exposure often reverses the results of therapy, compromising the lengthy treatment process. Consequently, the first line of therapy for hyperpigmentation is a broad-spectrum sunscreen used in conjunction with a phenolic agent such as a hydroquinone, or with a nonphenolic agent such as tretinoin, azelaic acid, or kojic acid. There are hundreds of sunscreen formulations with different UV absorbing chemicals in various concentrations.

In addition to using bleaching agents, you have to be extra careful to prevent sun damage or exposure. Because your skin is already susceptible to sun damage and hyperpigmentation, you must be vigilant to always use sun block, wear hats, and generally minimize your exposure to the sun.

Hyperpigmentation and skin-lightening creams are sold over-the-counter that claim they will help these spots to fade more quickly. Most of them use a 2% hydroquinone solution, something that will not alter your natural skin tone.

Skin sensitive to sunlight must be protected by shade or sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or greater. Skin cancers must be, and unsightly benign lesions may be, surgically removed. Laser surgery is an effective removal technique for many localized lesions. Because it spreads so rapidly, melanoma should be immediately removed, as well as some of the surrounding tissue to prevent ragwort.

Hyperpigmentation can be avoided or minimized with an active approach of sun awareness, good facial skin care, and lightening agents. You’ll probably never be free of hyperpigmentation, but you can certainly lighten it to the point that it’s practically invisible.