All About Hyperpigmentation:Treatment, types, and causes
In this article, you’ll learn and discover all About Hyperpigmentation. The treatment, types, and causes of hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is the term that health professionals use to describe the dermatologic condition in which some patches of skin get darker compared to the surrounding areas. Some common types of hyperpigmentation include:
- melasma
- age spots
- post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Each of these types of hyperpigmentation is associated with different causes, and there is a wide range of products and treatments that Rock Hill hyperpigmentation specialists recommend to get rid of them. Below is a discussion of the important things you should know about hyperpigmentation.
Table of Contents
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition that is believed to occur when the skin produces more melanin than usual. Melanin is the pigment that usually gives the skin its color. When the skin produces more melanin than usual, some spots or patches of the skin may appear darker compared to the unaffected skin.
Some forms of hyperpigmentation seem to affect areas of the skin that are normally exposed to the sun while others are associated with skin injuries, such as burns and cuts, and inflammation. Although having excess melanin in some areas of the skin is not harmless, it can indicate an underlying medical condition in some cases.
Some Common Causes of Hyperpigmentation
The cause of hyperpigmentation usually depends on the type of hyperpigmentation. Some of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation include:
Exposure to the Sun
This is probably the most common cause of hyperpigmentation. Prolonged exposure to the sun may prompt the body to produce more melanin to protect the skin. While this is a good thing, it can lead to dark patches and spots known as sun spots or age spots.
Melasma
Hyperpigmentation may occur when people are experiencing drastic hormonal changes. This type of hyperpigmentation is most common during pregnancy.
Skin Inflammation
Some areas of the skin can get darker due to inflammation caused by injuries, eczema, lupus, and acne. This cause of hyperpigmentation is more likely to affect people with darker skin.
Reaction to Some Drugs
Certain medications such as antidepressants and antimalaria can lead to hyperpigmentation in some people. In such cases, the affected patches of skin may become gray.
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions that can cause hyperpigmentation include hemochromatosis and Addison’s disease. In addition to causing hyperpigmentation, these conditions come with other severe symptoms, including fatigue, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, weight loss, and stomach pain, among others.
Getting Rid of Hyperpigmentation
Although hyperpigmentation is usually not a serious health concern, most people with this issue wish they could get rid of it. Some of the treatments that can help to get rid of hyperpigmentation include topical creams and cosmetic procedures such as laser treatment and chemical peels. Talk to your doctor to determine the cause of your issue and what can work for you.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that although hyperpigmentation may not be a serious medical issue, it is a cosmetic concern for a lot of people. Besides, it could be a symptom of some underlying medical condition is some cases. Therefore, if you are bothered by patches or spots of darker skin areas or the hyperpigmentation is coming with other undesirable symptoms, you should seek the assistance of a hyperpigmentation specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
