Hyperpigmentation is a general term used to describe a variety of skin color changes typically associated with increased production of the pigment melanin. Each specific form of this condition has its own underlying cause. While you can develop hyperpigmentation as a result of using certain medications, vitamin use is not an indicated cause in any form of the disorder.
Medication-related Causes
Medications can turn your skin a number of unusual colors, including brown, yellowish-brown, gray, bluish-gray and bluish-black, according to the "Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." Drugs known to trigger these types of changes include tetracycline antibiotics, hydroquinone, amiodarone, anti-malarial medications, phenothiazines, imipramine, despiramine and bleomycin. A number of chemotherapy drugs can also cause hyperpigmentation, including cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, daunorubicin and dactinomycin. You can develop similar skin discolorations as a result of exposure to the heavy metals silver, mercury, bismuth and gold.
Liver Spots
Older people sometimes develop hyperpigmented patches of skin known as lentigines, or liver spots. Typically, they appear as flat, oval tan or brown discolorations, which most frequently appear on the backs of the hands or on the face. Most lentigines are the result of chronic exposure to sunlight. They usually start appearing in your 40s or 50s and increase in number as you grow older. You can develop lentigines unrelated to sun exposure if you have certain medical conditions, including xeroderma pigmentosum and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
Melasma
Pregnant women and women who take oral birth-control products can develop a form of hyperpigmentation called melasma or chloasma. Typically, people with this disorder develop distinct, dark brown patches of skin on their temples, cheeks or foreheads. Dark-skinned men and women who aren't pregnant or on birth control also sometimes develop melasma-related discoloration. All people with melasma get significant amounts of sun exposure, and the disorder is likely the result of unusually active pigment-producing cells. Additional potential factors include the use of photosensitizing medications and the presence of autoimmune thyroid problems.
Additional Forms and Causes
Some people develop hyperpigmentation as a result of systemic disorders that include primary biliary cirrhosis, Addison's disease and hemochromatosis. You can also develop localized versions of the disorder if you experience a burn, cut or any other source of skin inflammation. A specific form of the disorder, called focal linear hyperpigmentation, occurs as a result of the combined effects of ultraviolet light exposure and the consumption of chemicals contained in plant-based foods such as celery and limes. If you have skin hyperpigmentation, talk to your doctor. She can help you determine the cause of your condition and guide you toward effective treatments.
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