Hyperpigmentation Treatment

What is Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a condition in which the fingernails or patches of skin become darker than the surrounding areas. It is commonly the cause of age or “liver” spots in elderly people, and it can be seen in people of all races. It is a relatively common condition that is usually harmless, although many see the darker spots on the skin as unsightly and often wish to treat the condition.

Check out the video below explaining what hyperpigmentation is.

Causes

Hyperpigmentation is often caused by sun damage, skin injuries, inflammation and acne. No matter what the direct cause of hyperpigmentation may be, the darker spots on the skin are almost always due to an excess of melanin. Melanin is a brown pigment that produces a person’s normal skin color, and many factors such as the ones described above can cause deposits of the pigment to form in the skin and produce the unsightly dark patches associated with the condition. Women often produce an excess of melanin as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. In fact, the condition is so common among expectant mothers that it is often referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.”

Check out the video below explaining the different types of hyperpigmentation and their causes.

Treatment Options

Hyperpigmentation may be harmless most of the time, but the fact that it is often unsightly has led many to seek out ways to treat the condition. The most basic hyperpigmentation treatment is to simply spend less time in the sun. Hyperpigmentation is often caused by sun damage, so limiting one’s exposure to the sun can help alleviate the problem. Since this is not always an option, other treatments include skin whitening creams that contain hydroquinone, exfoliation, vitamin supplements and even laser surgery. Laser surgery in particular should be used only in extreme cases as a last resort, as it can be risky and carry the biggest possibility of complications. Different people will respond to each treatment differently, and there is no one perfect hyperpigmentation treatment. It is always best to consult your doctor to find out what treatment options are best for you.