By Mary Hayse, Licensed Esthetician, Infuse Skin and Body
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition where there are patches of skin on the face or body that are darker than the normal skin color. It is sometimes called a sun spot, age spot or liver spot.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is caused by an excess of melanin in the skin. While UV exposure (sun damage) is the most common cause of hyperpigmentation, other causes are:
- Hormone fluctuations due to pregnancy, starting and stopping birth control and hormone replacement therapy
- Genetic predisposition — people of all skin colors can get hyperpigmentation, but darker skin tones are more prone to developing it.
- Medications can cause an overproduction of melanin, especially with UV exposure. Some of the most common melanin inducing drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tetracyclines.
- Injuries to the skin and acne breakouts can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), leaving pigmented marks on the skin
Types of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation shows up in different forms:
- Lentigo — a freckle
- Lentigines — multiple freckles
- Solar Lentigines — caused by sun exposure and are better known as sun spots, age spots or liver spots.
- Melasma — splotchy brown or tan patches on the face. Usually both sides of the face are affected, with the most common areas being on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. Melasma is usually caused by hormonal fluctuations.
- Chloasma — often referred to as the mask of pregnancy, this develops on the face and sometimes the abdomen. Chloasma occurs in some pregnant women who overproduce melanin (the condition gets worse with sun exposure).
Treatments for Hyperpigmentation
All skin types can be treated for hyperpigmentation, but the lighter the skin, the more aggressive the treatments can be. People with darker skin tones have to be very cautious with the treatments and products that are used, to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation (loss of skin color). Treatments should be tailored to each person according to their skin tone. The following are some of the treatments available for hyperpigmentation:
- Microdermabrasion or HydraFacials are forms of physical exfoliation that can help improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation. These treatments can safely be used on all skin types. They remove the surface layer of skin, immediately making the area appear lighter. They also speed up cell turnover to replace the removed skin, producing healthier, stronger skin, which will cause the skin tone to look more even.
The other advantage of physical exfoliation is that products designed for hyperpigmentation can penetrate deeper into the skin, producing better results. This step is where an individual’s skin tone must be taken into consideration to avoid inflammation, which can produce more hyperpigmentation. A series of treatments, spaced one to two weeks apart is best for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. - Chemical and enzyme exfoliation remove the surface layer of skin by means of a chemical reaction in the skin. Unless under a physician’s direction, a low dose approach with chemicals is recommended for hyperpigmentation. Acids with a small molecular structure should not be used because they penetrate the skin very quickly and can cause inflammation, in turn causing increased hyperpigmentation. There are many different types of acids and enzymes that can be used alone or in combination to treat multiple skin issues. Some of the better choices for hyperpigmentation include trichloroacetic acid (TCA), lactic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid and l-ascorbic acid, pumpkin enzymes and yam enzymes. Individual skin tone dictates what acids or enzymes can be used.
- Laser or IPL treatments can be very effective in treating hyperpigmentation. These machines use an intense beam of light that targets the browns in the skin. The light is converted to heat and absorbed by the cells, dispersing or destroying the melanin. There are more risks involved with these treatments, there can be downtime and they are not always appropriate for darker skin tones.
Products for Hyperpigmentation
There are many products on the market designed to lighten hyperpigmentation. Some of the ingredients that are proven to lighten hyperpigmentation are hydroquinone, lactic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid, l-ascorbic acid, retinol and licorice root. It is always best to meet with a professional for product recommendations based on your specific concerns. The percentage of corrective ingredients is also important in a product; if the percentage is too low, results will not be seen.
The most important product to use when treating or trying to prevent hyperpigmentation is sunscreen. No matter what type of hyperpigmentation you have, sun exposure is going to make it worse. Always wear a 30 SPF or higher and don’t forget to reapply often. If you are on medications, check to see if there is a warning stating “may cause photosensitivity.” If so, avoid the sun or be vigilant with sunscreen use.
Have you wanted to do something to make your skin look and feel better? Now you can! Make an appointment today at Infuse Skin and Body for a consultation to determine which skin care treatment is best for you. Call 309-691-5901 or visit www.infuseskinandbody.com.
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