Dark areas on your skin can lead to self consciousness and low self-esteem. Hyperpigmentation is a condition that occurs due to lifestyle or heredity. There are effective treatment options available for people afflicted with darkening of the skin. Knowing what causes your hyperpigmentation will allow you to explore the best course of treatment.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a condition where parts of an afflicted person's skin becomes darker than the skin that surrounds it. Melanin is brown pigment and it produces your skin color, but when you have too much of it, dark areas in the skin occur. This hyperpigmentation may signal a treatable condition or it may indicate melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
Causes
Hyperpigmentation can occur after you have sustained a burn or cut and may be also be caused by the use of certain medications. Inflammation from acne or lupus has been known to lead to hyperpigmentation. Systemic disorders, such as Addison's disease, hemochromatosis and primary biliary cirrhosis, can also cause darkening of the skin.
At Home Whitening
Hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C and licorice extract are all topical products that may be used to treat hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone needs a prescription if it is 4 percent strength. Most products that can be bought without a prescription will include at least one of these ingredients.
Whitening Procedures
Chemical exfoliation involves the use of alpha hydroxy acids which include glycolic acid, malic acid, lactic acid and citric acid. Beta hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acid, may be used alone or in combination with alpha hydroxy acids. Another treatment option for hyperpigmentation includes mechanical exfoliation. This type of exfoliation is when a scrub made up of salt, sugar crystals or micro-beads is used to remove the top layer of skin cells. If done slowly over time, exfoliation can get rid of the dark and damaged cells. Intense pulsed light is a hyperpigmentation treatment that uses lasers, but it is the most expensive treatment and you have to go to a dermatologist or cosmetic center for this procedure.
Considerations
Solar lentigines, or age spots, are a form of hyperpigmentation that occur due to sun damage. These darkened patches usually occur on areas that are exposed to the sun frequently. Melasma spots look similar to age spots but are larger and they appear when hormonal changes occur. Women who are pregnant or who take birth control pills may develop an overproduction of melanin that causes darkening on the face and abdomen, as well as other areas of the body.
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