You might have observed uneven skin pigmentation on your skin which is commonly known as hyperpigmentation. It is a skin condition in which dark spots or patches appear on the face, hands and other body parts. People suffering from hyperpigmentation are not confident about their looks and always in search of treatments to reduce the dark spots.
In this article, we will guide our readers about the hyperpigmentation condition in detail. What is hyperpigmentation, what causes hyperpigmentation and how it can be treated? All of these questions will be answered today. Read more to find out!
What is hyperpigmentation?
A skin condition in which dark spots or uneven pigmentation appears on the skin is referred to as hyperpigmentation. It makes the skin look uneven and these spots are also called age spots. People who have dark complexion are more prone to hyperpigmentation as compared to people with a light complexion. It is because dark skin tone has more melanin pigment than light skin.
Furthermore, there are three types of hyperpigmentation which include;
- Pigment spots
- Melasma
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Pigment spots occur due to excessive sun exposure. Mainly they appear on visible parts of the body. However, melasma is a condition in which large-sized hyperpigmentation patches develop on the face. It is most common among women. On the other hand, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs as a result of skin injury. When a skin injury heals it leaves a flat area of discoloration which is termed as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. People with acne-prone skin are more prone to this type of hyperpigmentation.
What are the causes of hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation results due to the increased production of melanin pigment. Melanin is a pigment that is naturally found in our body and gives color to our skin, hair and eyes. When it is overproduced in your body, your body starts developing hyperpigmentation. There can be several factors that trigger the excess production of melanin. These factors include;
- Sun exposure – Sunlight is the number one factor that triggers melanin pigment production.
- Hormones – The female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate the overproduction of melanin and cause melasma.
- Age factors – Due to aging the number of melanin-producing cells decreases but the ones that are left, increase in size.
- Skin injuries or inflammation – injuries like cuts, burns and chemical exposure can also result in hyperpigmentation.
- Certain medications – medications used for chemotherapy, antibiotics, antimalarials and anti-seizure drugs also trigger overproduction of melanin which causes hyperpigmentation.
- Certain diseases – Autoimmune disorders, metabolic illnesses and vitamin deficiencies also lead to hyperpigmentation.
How can it be treated?
Hyperpigmentation can now be treated with the help of several treatment options. Some of the common hyperpigmentation treatments are;
Topical medications: They are suitable for superficial pigmentation that does not damage the deeper skin layers. The most common topical agent used is hydroquinone.
Oral medications: They also have limited benefits and are effective against certain kinds of discoloration only.
Laser Treatment: It is an effective hyperpigmentation treatment in Dubai that can efficiently remove pigmentation spots on the skin and also stimulates skin rejuvenation and collagen production. The fractional CO2 laser is mostly used for this procedure.
IPL therapy: It is an advanced light-based therapy that treats hyperpigmentation by destroying melanin pigment with its heat energy.
Chemical Peels: It is the most effective and non-invasive treatment option for skin pigmentation. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin that peels off the damaged skin layer and reveals a new skin layer that has no age or dark spots.
PICO Laser Treatment: Another effective laser treatment that can be used to treat hyperpigmentation is known as PICO laser treatment in Dubai. The laser used in this treatment is known as Picosure laser and it treats skin problems like age spots, wrinkles and fine lines, acne scars and pigmentation issues. PICO Laser treatment can achieve a lot more in terms of skin rejuvenation as compared to traditional laser treatments. Picosure laser also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.
The Bottom Line
Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that occurs mostly among people with a dark complexion. The biggest causative agent that triggers this condition is excessive sun exposure that causes overproduction of melanin pigment. However, it is possible to treat this condition by undergoing the treatment options mentioned above. Among all the treatments, the most suitable option for you can only be suggested by an expert dermatologist. He/she will examine your skin, take your medical history and recommend a procedure accordingly. Therefore, choose your dermatologist carefully because the success of a procedure depends on the expertise of the practitioner.
Source: Hyperpigmentation: Causes and Treatments