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Hyperpigmentation

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Hyperpigmentation

Your Healthy Skin is Our Priority

GENERAL

Hyperpigmentation

Tired of dealing with patches of dark spots and uneven skin tone? You’re not the only one! Hyperpigmentation is a very common skin condition that affects thousands of people each year, with more and more seeking effective methods for treatment.

If you’re interested in learning more about this skin issue and treatment options, our experienced dermatologists have put together a helpful hyperpigmentation guide to answer any questions you may have.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a common condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. It may be harmless and can potentially affect any area on the body. One form of skin darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the pigment that produces skin color, forms uneven deposits in the skin.

Additionally, hyperpigmentation affects people of all skin types and colors and can manifest in several different forms, such as sunspots and melasma.

Young woman with hyperpigmentation on her face
QUESTIONS

Hyperpigmentation FAQs

There are many reasons hyperpigmentation can occur. As mentioned above, the form of hyperpigmentation resulting from excess melanin can be triggered by a number of factors, such as:

  • Hormonal changes (which is why pregnant women often experience hyperpigmentation).
  • Excessive sun exposure.
  • Various skin diseases, such as acne.
  • Chemotherapy drugs.
  • A rare endocrine disease called Addison’s disease.
  • Lupus, a systemic autoimmune disease, sometimes causes inflammation that can result in skin conditions and hyperpigmentation.

There are a number of certain conditions and factors that can cause hyperpigmentation. For more questions on what could be the culprit behind your hyperpigmentation, it’s best to visit an experienced board-certified dermatologist for a thorough skin consultation.

Hyperpigmentation is a broad term encompassing several different pigment-related skin conditions, including melasma.

Melasma is a pigmentation disorder resulting in brown or grayish patches on the skin most often found on the face. In contrast, hyperpigmentation can include anything from age spots and grayish patches to pigmentation of old acne scars and other forms of darkened pigmentation found anywhere on the body.

In many cases the hyperpigmentation is temporary, but this often depends on the form of cause of excess pigmentation. For instance, hyperpigmentation caused by pregnancy and the hormonal changes it prompts often resolves itself after giving birth.

On the other hand, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by an injury or acne scars will typically take longer to fade (or sometimes may not fade away completely). If you’re suffering from hyperpigmentation, there are effective treatment options to help lighten or effectively remove the excess pigmentation.

Yes, freckles are considered hyperpigmentation. However, unlike hyperpigmentation caused by hormonal changes or environmental factors (like sun exposure), freckles are an inherited skin condition, with freckles becoming more prominent when skin is exposed to the sun.

In most cases, yes, it is possible to improve or eliminate the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Even better, many cases of hyperpigmentation can be prevented with good skin protection, such as frequently using sunscreen when exposed to the sun.

There are several hyperpigmentation treatment options available today, which include:

  • Laser Treatments – The heat energy from lasers breaks up pigment and slightly damages the skin to trigger cell regeneration and stimulate skin renewal for improved appearance and a more even skin tone.
  • Chemical Peels – Triggers the shedding of outer skin cells and removes superficial lesions, which results in the regeneration of new skin cells and improves the volume of deeper tissues.
  • Microdermabrasion – Exfoliating crystals “buff” away the top layer of skin to lighten darker spots and stimulate cell regeneration.
  • Prescription Topicals – Used to lighten and fade darker skin patches.

If you have more questions about hyperpigmentation treatment options, don’t hesitate to give our team of experienced dermatologists a call. We’re always happy to help you achieve your best skin!

PHOTOS

Hyperpigmentation Photos

To help you get a better understanding of what hyperpigmentation might look like and how it would look after treatment, view our photos of hyperpigmentation below.

GET IN TOUCH

Find Hyperpigmentation Treatment at The Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center in Wilmington

Are you ready to finally treat your hyperpigmentation and achieve healthy, glowing skin? Get in touch online or or give us a call at 910-782-0028 to schedule an appointment with our board-certified dermatologists at The Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center of Wilmington today. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about hyperpigmentation and are ready to find you an effective treatment plan.

Contact Us Today

Have questions or concerns? Please call us at 910.782.0028.

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