Skin darkening disorders, also often known as hyperpigmentation, are probably the most common complaints in dermatology offices. Although hyperpigmentation isn’t harmful to your health, skin discoloration may be dangerous and emotionally distressing.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation refers to skin that becomes darker than its natural color. These pigmentation spots can appear anywhere on the skin, but are most frequently seen on sun-exposed areas reminiscent of the face, neck, chest, upper arms and hands, and calves.
Depending in your skin tone, these areas may be brown, tan, pink, gray, black, and even purple. Unlike suntan, which comes and goes, hyperpigmentation is more long-lasting, although the areas may lighten or fade with time and treatment.
Causes of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation occurs when skin cells produce an excessive amount of melanin, the protein pigment that provides our skin and hair its color.
It may be brought on by genetic aspects, medical conditions, medications and external influences. Common causes include:
- Sun exposure
- Genetics
- Hormonal fluctuations, reminiscent of while pregnant
- Medications, including certain antibiotics and medications that increase sun sensitivity.
- Exposure to heavy metals, reminiscent of iron, arsenic, gold, iron, and lead
- Oral contraceptive pills
- Tobacco smoke
- Diabetes and thyroid disease
- Adrenal insufficiency, including Addison's disease, through which the body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone cortisol
- Certain dermatological conditions, including pimples and atopic dermatitis
- Skin injury or inflammation.
If you will have an area of hyperpigmentation that’s multiple color, or that doesn't reply to treatment, see a dermatologist. Your doctor will examine the location and, if essential, perform a skin biopsy.
Types of hyperpigmentation
The most typical varieties of hyperpigmentation are harmless patches of skin that may occur during childhood, pregnancy, or development with age. Other types could also be brought on by underlying disorders or previous trauma to the skin. Examples include:
- Freckles Also called ephelides, these are small tan or brown spots that typically form on the skin during childhood exposure to sunlight. Wrinkles get deeper and thicker with time spent within the sun and warmth and frequently disappear within the winter months.
- Age spots (sun wrinkles). These spots vary from tan to dark brown and are larger than freckles. They develop on the face, arms, chest and tops of the hands in adults on account of sun exposure or previous sunburn.
- Melasma. Commonly present in women of their 20s and 30s, the condition causes irregular dark spots on the face. Melasma may be brought on by each sun exposure and hormonal effects in women.
- Maturational hyperpigmentation. Usually affecting the perimeters of the face, this kind of hyperpigmentation refers back to the gradual darkening of sun-exposed skin in individuals with darker skin tones. Usually, it’s brought on by chronic sun exposure or metabolic disease in adolescence.
- Periorbital hyperpigmentation. Also called dark circles, it’s a darkening of the skin across the eyes.
- Acanthosis nigricans. A condition that causes darkening of the skin in areas that rub together, reminiscent of the armpits, groin and back of the neck. It is often related to insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Discoloration on account of skin inflammation or injury, reminiscent of burns, wounds, pimples, or skin rashes. After the wound heals, the skin may appear dark or discolored.
Facial Hyperpigmentation: Common Areas and Causes
The face is probably the most common areas where hyperpigmentation occurs. The specific location depends upon the form of hyperpigmentation. Common varieties of facial hyperpigmentation include:
- Melasma
- Common areas: Cheeks, upper lip, and brow
- Triggers: Sun exposure, pregnancy, and hormonal aspects, including oral contraceptive pills
- Wrinkles and sun spots
- Common Areas: Can occur anywhere on the face.
- Triggers: Sun exposure
- Maturational hyperpigmentation
- Common Areas: Sides of face
- Triggers: Aging, sun exposure, genetic influences, and metabolic disease
- Periorbital hyperpigmentation
- Common areas: Upper and lower eyelids.
- Triggers: Sun exposure, genetic aspects, certain medications, and hormonal causes
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Common areas: Can occur anywhere on the face, but when brought on by pimples, is more common on the cheeks, chin, and brow.
- Triggers: Acne, sunburn, skin rashes
Home Remedies to Fight Hyperpigmentation
Topical therapies (creams and lotions applied to the skin) are probably the most common treatment option for hyperpigmentation. Combination therapy, through which treatments for several conditions are used together, is often probably the most effective in treating hyperpigmentation.
The most typical reason for hyperpigmentation is sun exposure. The body darkens the skin to guard it from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the very best preventative treatment for hyperpigmentation is day by day use of sunscreen and sun protective clothing.
Other over-the-counter topical treatments include:
- Retinol-based skincare products
- Azelaic acid gel
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B3 (niacinamide)
- Kojic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Thiamidol
- arbutin
- transexamic acid.
Certain vitamins and antioxidants may additionally be helpful for hyperpigmentation. These include vitamins A, B, C, and E, which may be obtained from food or supplements. Natural oils, including rose, jojoba, and argan oil, and turmeric, green tea, licorice, and mulberry extracts, might help with skin radiance and inflammation.
Other treatment options include:
- Prescription lightening creams that contain hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, tretinoin, topical steroids, or a mixture of those ingredients
- Chemical peels
- Laser therapy
- microneedling.
Check together with your doctor before starting any latest medication or treatment. If your hyperpigmentation is on account of a medical condition, your doctor may prescribe medications to assist. If you might be pregnant, discuss with your doctor about pregnancy-safe treatment options.