{"id":111640,"date":"2022-08-18T09:40:14","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T09:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.co.uk\/skinlab\/?p=111640"},"modified":"2022-11-17T14:05:33","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T14:05:33","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-hyperpigmentation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.com\/skinlab\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hyperpigmentation\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About Hyperpigmentation"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have darker areas on your skin, you\u2019re not alone. <\/span>Hyperpigmentation<\/span><\/i> is a common skin condition that\u2019s caused by increased melanin production and it can affect anyone. Read on to learn more about hyperpigmentation, what causes it, and our advice if you want to reduce it.<\/span><\/p>\n

First things first, how can you tell if you have hyperpigmentation? Well, there\u2019s no <\/span>one<\/span><\/i> way hyperpigmentation can show up \u2014 in fact, there are many different types, in lots of shapes, sizes and shades, so it may not always be easy to know which you have. Here are four common types, how they look, and why they appear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freckles<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Freckles are probably the most recognised type of hyperpigmentation. They appear as small, dark spots, usually less than 5mm in size. They can be any colour darker than your natural skin tone, from light tan to deep brown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your genetics can make you more likely to develop freckles, so if you have them, you\u2019ll probably have noticed them on your skin since childhood. They tend to come out during the sunny months and fade in winter when you\u2019re younger, but as you grow up, they can become visible year-round. Anybody can have the freckle gene, but it\u2019s much more common in people with fair skin \u2014 especially those with red hair. Some people only have a few, while others have many.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freckles are caused by cells producing extra melanin in your skin, but unlike other types of pigmentation, they\u2019re not actually a sign of sun damage. However, UV exposure can make them more visible, which is why they often appear during summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Melasma<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Melasma is a common skin condition that\u2019s identified by, darker patches of skin usually on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. It\u2019s often\u00a0 associated with hormonal changes, so it\u2019s\u00a0 more common during pregnancy,\u00a0 or while taking the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy \u2014 you may have even heard it described as a \u2018<\/span>pregnancy mask<\/span>\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UV light is the main trigger for melasma, and continued exposure once you have it can\u00a0 exacerbate it. The pigmentation it causes is usually brown or grey, or simply darker than your natural skin tone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although we don\u2019t know the precise cause of melasma, just like freckles, it can be more visible during summer, and less noticeable in winter. <\/span>Learn more about melasma<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun spots and age spots<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Sun spots, sometimes known as age spots or liver spots, are usually larger than freckles and appear in areas that get lots of sun, like your cheeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019re the result of repeated sun exposure over many years (typically around 10-20 years) and are more likely to appear in people over 40, although you could see them earlier if you regularly use sunbeds, sunbathe, or don\u2019t use enough sun protection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun spots can be faded effectively with ingredients like <\/span>hydroquinone<\/span> and <\/span>azelaic acid<\/span>, but it\u2019s still very important to protect your skin with regular applications of SPF 30-50 to prevent them returning or becoming more visible \u2014 and to keep you safe from UV damage, of course! You can find out more about getting the most from your sun protection <\/span>here<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Any inflammatory skin condition \u2014 which includes everything from active acne to bites and burns \u2014 can leave behind a pigmented area behind. This is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and it\u2019s caused by your body producing extra melanin as a result of injury or irritation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The colour of PIH varies depending on your complexion. It tends to be more common in dark skin tones, appearing as brown or black patches, but in very fair skin types, it can be more red-toned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Just like the other popular types of hyperpigmentation, PIH can be lightened significantly with effective skincare, and even faded away completely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s our dermatologist-approved guide to fading hyperpigmentation\u2026\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important thing you can do to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation is using sunscreen. UV exposure can make affected areas look darker and cause further pigmentation. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB with an SPF of 30+ daily, and remember to top it up at least every two hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Many powerful active ingredients are clinically proven to be effective at fading hyperpigmentation. Tretinoin is a prescription-strength retinoid that increases skin cell turnover, which helps to fade or even out areas of pigmentation. Azelaic acid is very effective at reducing both hyperpigmentation and acne, if you have that as well, while hydroquinone decreases melanin production in the skin<\/span><\/i>. Some of these ingredients are only available with a prescription, but you can access one for free and find out the best treatment for you with our <\/span><\/i>online consultation<\/span><\/i><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In rare cases, prescription-strength formulas may not be fully effective for you, and you may want to see a cosmetic practitioner to look into laser or chemical peel options. However, it\u2019s always best and safest to start with a clinically proven topical treatment plan first.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Want to know more about hyperpigmentation? Find more dermatologist-approved advice <\/span>here<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

New to Dermatica? Complete a <\/span>free online consultation<\/span><\/a> to start your skin journey today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you have darker areas on your skin, you\u2019re not alone. Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that\u2019s caused by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":111642,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[180],"tags":[137,140,145,153,158],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEverything You Need To Know About Hyperpigmentation - SkinLab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dermatica.com\/skinlab\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hyperpigmentation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Everything You Need To Know About Hyperpigmentation - SkinLab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you have darker areas on your skin, you\u2019re not alone. 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