Areas of excess pigmentation on the skin, often referred to as hyperpigmentation, are a common problem and can occur for a number of reasons. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, hyperpigmentation is usually a harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker than the normal surrounding skin and occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, deposits in the skin. In many cases, the use of a pigmentation home remedy can improve the appearance of darkened skin patches.
Causes
Inflammation caused by skin irritation or injury, such as rashes, abrasions or acne, can leave darkened patches on the skin, as can hormonal changes that come with pregnancy or use of birth control pills. Sun exposure over the years can produce dark spots of pigmentation on the skin, commonly called age spots, and certain medications and medical conditions can cause excess skin pigmentation.
Identification
Age spots, or solar lentigines, are flat spots of hyperpigmentation that can vary in size and most often appear in areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as hands, face, arms and shoulders. Melasma spots, which are most often associated with hormonal changes or pregnancy, can appear on the face, abdomen, and other areas. These are similar to age spots in appearance, but tend to be larger in size. Inflammation caused by acne, rashes, eczema and skin injuries can leave spots of darkened skin in the affected area, a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Home Remedies
MayoClinic.com suggests that over-the-counter fade creams containing hydroquinone, deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid or kojic acid may be good home remedies to lighten pigmented areas of skin. MotherNature.com recommends dabbing fresh lemon juice on spots twice daily as a home remedy for hyperpigmentation, stating that it is acidic enough to safely peel off the upper layer of skin to remove or lighten some spots. However, you will not see overnight results. These remedies must be used regularly for six to eight weeks to obtain visible results.
Prevention
Using sunscreen is a very important preventative measure against developing many types of hyperpigmentation or having it reappear after it has been successfully treated. Spots that have been faded with treatment can darken again when exposed to the sun, undoing any progress made in improving their appearance.
Cautions
Fade creams and lemon juice can dry and irritate skin when used regularly, affects that can be minimized with the daily application of a moisturizer. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by certain diseases, such as Addison's disease, and certain types of skin cancer can resemble hyperpigmentation in appearance, making it wise to have dark splotches on the skin evaluated by your health care professional to rule out serious health concerns.
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