What is Hyperpigmentation and How to Treat It? From Aestheticians

What can you do to address skin discolouration now and in the future?

Raise your hand if you’ve got a dark spot or patch of skin that doesn't match your natural skin tone. Chances are you do, as hyperpigmentation is an incredibly common issue faced by practically every human on the planet.

Generally thought of as a by-product of not protecting your skin from UV exposure, hyperpigmentation can actually be caused by a number of other triggers – meaning how you avoid and treat the brown, black, red, grey and even blue patches that many of us dislike can vary. 

To demystify all things hyperpigmentation, we quizzed the experts to discover what it is exactly, how to avoid the condition and how best to treat it when it does rear its head. 

What is hyperpigmentation?

So essentially, hyperpigmentation is the term used when patches of skin become darker than the rest of your complexion. These dark spots or uneven tones happen because your skin produces extra melanin (the natural pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their colour.)

What causes hyperpigmentation?

As mentioned hyperpigmentation happens when your skin produces more melanin that usual and there are a few common triggers behind this. Understanding the cause is the first step towards finding the right treatment.

The skin's natural protective response to UV light and also the predisposition to develop certain types of hyperpigmentation is also affected by our genetics, ethnicity and our general levels of inflammation.

As Dr. Jack explains, there are several common causes of hyperpigmentation that can lead to dark spots and uneven skin tone:

• Sun exposure (UV light)
• Hormonal changes
• Inflammation and skin trauma
• Genetics and ethnicity
• Ageing and overall health

Understanding the different causes of hyperpigmentation is only part of the picture. Dark spots and uneven tone don’t all look the same, and knowing which type of hyperpigmentation you’re dealing with is key to choosing the right treatment.

What are the three types of hyperpigmentation?

There are three main types of hyperpigmentation, explains Advanced Aesthetician Corina Mihalache, Founder of Ace Skin Health Clinic.

Melasma

“Melasma presents as symmetrical dark patches on the forehead, above the upper lip, cheeks and sometimes the bridge of the nose. It occurs more frequently in women than in men. In melasma, melanocytes are stimulated by the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone to produce more melanin pigment when the skin is exposed to the sun. A common form of melasma occurs during pregnancy and is caused by hormonal fluctuations but usually disappears after delivery.”

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) 

“Caused by the overproduction of melanin following inflammation from the likes of breakouts, an allergic reaction, and even by some beauty treatments and ingredients. PIH can occur at any age and on all skin types, but is more common on darker skin tones. The darker the skin, the more intense and persistent PIH tends to be.”

Sunspots

“Varying in colour from light brown to dark brown, sunspots usually develop in adults who have been repeatedly exposed to the sun or have suffered from sunburn in the past. They can affect people of all skin types, but they are more common in adults with fair skin, and often appear on frequently exposed areas such as the face, forearms, back of the hands, chest, back, shoulders and lower legs.”

While hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, many people find it frustrating because it makes their skin look uneven or dull.

The good news? With the right skincare, you can fade these dark patches and prevent new ones from forming.