Hyperpigmentation – Its Causes and Alternatives

Hyper pigmentation refers to skin that has turned darker than normal where the change that has occurred is unrelated to sun exposure. Hyper pigmentation is caused due to excessive production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that is solely responsible for the color of the skin. Hyper pigmentation occurs due to the excessive secretion of melanocyte stimulating hormone that enhances the production of melanocytes. The melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Hyper pigmentation affects the areas that are not exposed to light like the genital areas, armpits etc.

Hyper pigmentation may be caused by internal and external causes. Internal causes include hormonal imbalances such as pregnancy. An external cause for hyper pigmentation is sun exposure. Sots of brown may appear with sun exposure without the use of a sunblock.

There are a few types of hyperpigmentation that is based on the cause of the excess melanin and its appearance on the skin. These include melasma, age spots or liver spots, freckles, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is also related with a number of diseases such as Addison's disease and other sources of adrenal insufficiency, in which the hormones induce melanin synthesis.


Hyperpigmentation tretment

• Hydroquinone - Hydroquinone is one of the best-established topical agents for reducing skin pigmentation. Its effectiveness, both alone and in combination with other treatments, has been documented in a large number of clinical studies. Hydroquinone treatment usually takes several weeks to produce results because even though the synthesis of new melanin is blocked quickly, the existing melanin takes a relatively long time to migrate out of the skin in the process of natural exfoliation.

• Laser resurfacing – Normal laser skin resurfacing works by evaporating the first few layers of damaged skin to leave behind a fresh, evenly toned skin. Hydroquinone or mild chemical peels are often recommended before laser resurfacing for best results.

• Intense pulsed light – IPL is a type laser that leaves no scares, can sometimes heals freckles or other mild sun spots without using peels or hydroquinone creams beforehand.

• Hydroquinone creams – They bleach the skin by slowing down the production of melanin. Dark spots fade in a few weeks. They are usually used for hyper pigmentation which is not caused by hormonal changes.

• Hydroxy Acid Peels - They increase cell renewal rate and correct hyper pigmentation marks. Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble acids and can help remove hyperpigmentation.

• Physician formula – These are more expensive skin pigmentation treatments but it is very effective.

Skin hyperpigmentation is not a life threatening condition. However, you should consult with your doctor to confirm that it is not melanoma, a form of skin cancer. In addition, you should see your doctor if you experience unexplained darkening or lightening or any skin sore or lesion that changes the color of the skin.

Stress and Your Skin

Most of the time, when a person is not feeling well his/her body will show signs of illness. For instance, when somebody is stricken with a cold, they look tired, feel weak and often feel like staying in bed. Well, almost the same idea goes for people who suffer from stress. Although people who suffer from stress may not necessarily feel weak and nauseated, their bodies might show signs of stress through the appearance of their skin.

A lot of people, during stressful situations, may show an increase in breakouts. When stress related flare-ups occur, most people become agitated and even more stressed. So what can we do in order to protect our skin from stress related breakouts?

First of all, it is important to take care of one’s body. This means eating a healthy diet, getting the right amount of sleep, exercising, and setting time aside for relaxation. When it comes down to a healthy diet, be sure to stay away from greasy and fried foods. As for sleep, try to devote at least eight hours towards sleep. Exercise and relaxation should be comprised of something that you enjoy.

Another thing to remember during a stressful time period is to stick to your skin care routine. Often times, when a person is stressed, he/she does not feel like keeping up with daily tasks. This could mean skipping a morning face wash or skipping the removal of eye makeup at night. Skipping these little skin care routines could double your chances for breakouts the next day.

However, if you feel that you take good care of your skin and you still are affected by breakouts, you can try using certain treatments during a stressful time. Using products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide prior to a stressful situation can reduce your chances of becoming affected by breakouts. So if you feel like you are experiencing more breakouts than usual, make sure that your stress levels are not the reason behind your skin problems.