Hyperpigmentation - Causes, risks, and treatment

Having Hyperpigmentation in Women means persistently perturbing about not to touch acne, scars, or cut so that they don’t end up damaging your supple skin. Hyperpigmentation is the most strikingly variable phenotypes found in most people. Covering each dark patch with your brush and makeup tools can be tedious. Hormonal imbalance, dark patches, acne scarring are common causes of issues today which develops Hyperpigmentation.

People develop pigmentation manifesting a multitude of forms include melasma, lentigines, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. People often experience sunspots or dark patches on the skin which frequently appear parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun. We can help you with how to prevent hyperpigmentation and their primary causes.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Pigmentation refers to the coloring of a person’s healthy skin. When the person’s skin produces sufficient melanin, it appears normal. Due to any injury or illness, the skin may change its color or form patches of darker color known as Hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation does not limit itself in changing the appearance to darker rather it can develop small patches that majorly occur in large areas and affect the entire body. Hyperpigmentation forms when the skin release more melanin than usual. Pregnancy or Addison disease could decrease the function of the adrenal gland and cause high production of melanin and hyperpigmentation in women. When pigment-producing cells are damaged due to exposure of sun or other reason, they eventually produce more melanin that bags up together. These clusters of melanin on certain parts lead to dark patches or hyperpigmentation.

Usually, spots or patches appear darker than other surrounding skin areas. There is a myth, people with darker skin are more prone to hyperpigmentation, but the fact is it affects people of all skin types.

It can occur on any skin type and any age group, but it is mostly harmless. Drugs, antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, antiarrhythmics are also the culprit of Hyperpigmentation.

Type of Hyperpigmentation and their Symptoms

Before you dive into treatment, prevention, it is paramount to understand different forms of hyperpigmentation in women along with their symptoms. Pigmentation due to sun exposure appears as age spots. They frequently expose on face, neck, arms, hands, and decollete.

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation - The cause of Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is skin injury, acne, or cosmetic treatment like chemical peels, dermabrasion, or laser therapy. At the initial stage, the patches appear pink or red later develop into brown or black in color. Acne is a prime mover of hyperpigmentation as the area is inflamed that leads to scarring. Beware, picking, and squeezing won’t add benefit to your bag.

Melasma

Melasma or Chloasma where larger patches provoke tan or brown patches commonly found on the face. Melasma arrives mostly in pregnant women, often said to be “mask of pregnancy”.  Even men can be found to develop this condition. Certain prescription cream can help you treat Melasma.

Exposure to daylight can add up Melasma on your skin. Wear a brimmed hat, sunscreen with SPF 30 can save you from harmful UV rays. Don’t embrace your body with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide physical blocker, as it can worsen the condition.

Vitiligo - People often find smooth, white patches on the skin all over the body. Its autoimmune disorder that produces damages pigments cells. There are cosmetic treatments including corticosteroid creams, coverups, calcineurin inhibitors, or UV treatments.

Albinism - It is a rare inherited disorder caused by a lack of an enzyme that produces melanin. It forces you to lose pigmentation in skin, hair, and eyes. An abnormal gene known as albinos restricts the body from producing melanin in the body. Mostly found in whites, but still, the disorder can spread in any race.

Solar Lentigines - It manifests on the skin that is highly exposed to the sun due to harmful rays in UVA and UVB. When skin is exposed to the sun, it triggers the body melanocytes to produce more melanin for defending. High level often ends up with discolored patches on the skin.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. The best approach to prevent Hyperpigmentation in Women spots and patches on your skin is caring. You don’t have to wait till the dark spot develop, they can be treated immediately once the form. If there is a wound near a dark spot, you need to cure it before diving for treatment.

• Embrace your body for 20 minutes with sunscreen before you jump outdoors.
• Hats, sunglasses, stole and protective clothing can reduce the effectiveness of harsh rays on your body.
• Incorporate an ordered skincare routine with products that include salicylic acid.

Treatments

• Topical Creams

Topical creams are considered a primary treatment for hyperpigmentation. Consistent use of creams or serums that expect visible results with weeks or months.

• Hydroquinone

It is a lightening agent that reduces the proportion of melanin in the skin. The strength of OTC Hydroquinone can fluctuate from 0.5 to 2% as prescribed by a dermatologist. Some might suggest you for 3% or more of hydroquinone.

• Vitamin C

It is a powerful antioxidant and well known for reducing hyperpigmentation caused due to sun damage. It hampers the activity of the enzyme of tyrosinase that is a cause for melanin synthesis.

• Niacinamide

It is a derivate of Vitamin B3 that enhances the treatment of hyperpigmentation due to exposure in sun. It boosts products of collagen in the body.

Cosmetic Procedures

Laser technologies have shown effective results for the dermatological disorder. Technology have brought up approaches like Q-switches, QS alexandrite, QS neodymium, and much more for treatment of hyperpigmentation disorder. The acne-prone skin is treated differently, the inflamed bump evolved in the dark spot is treated on a primary basis. Laser treatments penetrated deeply and safely showing effective results. Some of the treatment includes,

• Chemical peels
• Laser therapy
• Microdermabrasion

Consult your dermatologist.

Home remedies

Studies have shown optimal results for hyperpigmentation if treated in the early stages. However, there is no proof. You can give a try to have safe effects.

• Apply aloe Vera
• Licorice root
• Products with Green tea

Black skin needs to be more susceptible to hyperpigmentation treatment

Darker needs to be more cautious while slathering products to treat hyperpigmentation. Wrong or right ingredients without proper concentration can result in irritation, skin discoloration, excess skin lightening, or other mild effects. Standard ingredients can be a blessing to treat effectively the issue when used properly.

Outlook for Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation in women does not lead to major harm. In some of the cases, it will go away on its own with some vital regime and protection. Some cases need aggressive treatment which would eventually lead with soft, clear, and supple skin.