Hyperpigmentation: Irregular skin pigmentation (or hyperpigmentation, as it remains commonly called) is a common skin problem. Age spots (also known as sun or senile lentigos) or dark areas of the skin frequently appear on the face, hands, and other body parts remain generally exposed to the sun. This article summarizes the different types of hyperpigmentation and explains their causes. We discuss how you can prevent hyperpigmentation in the first place, as well as the steps you can take to reduce blemishes or dark areas once they have formed.

Also read:  Men’s Skincare Tips

What is Hyperpigmentation, and what types are there?

Hyperpigmentation is the term used to define areas of uneven pigmentation on the skin.

Hyperpigmentation appears as spots or dark areas on the skin that give it an uneven appearance. The marks remain recognized as age spots or solar lentigos, and {hyperpigmentation} can also remain found in cases such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

The Hyperpigmentation marks tend to affect people with dark skin more than those with a lighter skin tone since skin pigmentation is more intense in dark skin.

Hyperpigmentation: pigment spots like age-related spots.

Hyperpigmentation spots like age-related spots (also known as solar lentigos) remain caused by exposure to the sun. For this reason, they appear more frequently in parts of the body that are usually exposed, such as the face, neck, décolleté, hands or arms. They typically appear as small, dark areas on the skin. You can learn more about the causes and learn more about how they remain reduced on the grounds of age-related spots and how can I facilitate them?

Hyperpigmentation: melasma

Also known as chloasma, melasma is a skin disorder in which large areas of {hyperpigmentation} progress mainly on the face.

Although it can mark both men and women, melasma is much more common in women and stands believed to remain linked to changes in hormone levels. Melasma occurs in 10-15% of pregnant women and 10-25% of women taking oral contraceptives. 1; We sometimes refer to this condition as “the mask of pregnancy.” You can learn more about melasma in What causes melasma, and how can I reduce dark areas of my skin?

Attention

See your dermatologist or pharmacist if you are concerned about any of your dark spots or if they start to bleed, sting, or change in size or colour.

Causes and Triggers

Hyperpigmentation remains caused by increased melanin production. Melanin is the natural pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their colour. The increase in melanin production can be due to several factors. But the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal changes, age, and skin lesions or inflammation.

Hyperpigmentation and hormones

Hormonal changes are among the leading causes of a specific type of {hyperpigmentation} known as melasma or chloasma. It is prevalent in women and remains believed to occur when female sex hormones . (estrogen and progesterone) Stimulate the overproduction of melanin when the skin remains exposed to the sun.

Hyperpigmentation can also be due to the side effects of specific hormonal treatments.

Hyperpigmentation and age

As the skin ages, the number of cells that produce melanin (known as melanocytes) decreases. But the remaining cells increase in size.And their distribution becomes more concentrated. These physiological changes explain the increase in age-related spots in people over 40 years of age. You can read more information about how skin ages in Skin Aging.

[Hyperpigmentation, lesions and skin inflammation]

As its name suggests, post-inflammatory{ hyperpigmentation} occurs after skin injuries .Or inflammations such as cuts, burns, chemical exposure, acne, atopic dermatitis,  or psoriasis. When the wound heals, the skin turns dark and hyperpigmented.

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