Causes ,Treatment and Prevention Tips for Hyperpigmentation.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition in which skin looks darker than normal skin color. Dark patches are form on skin due to excess production of Melanin. Melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color.

The discolored patches developed generally on sun exposed area of our body like face, hands, neck and shins. Hyperpigmentation may appear as age sots, freckles, small or large patches of darkened skin.

It is generally harmless but stressful condition as it affects our visible body parts.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation–

1. Sun Exposure:

• It’s generally happened due to excess melanin production. 
• UV rays stimulate the melanin producing cells that is melanocytes. This can result in dark spot or patches.
• Long Duration of sun exposure can make hyperpigmentation severe.

2.Inflammation:  

• As a part of healing, skin produces extra melanin in response to inflammation.
• Hence post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is occurred after inflammation or injury to our skin
• Acne, skin injuries, skin burn or cuts can lead to PIH.

3.Hormonal Changes:

• Almost all pregnant ladies goes through this problem.
• Hormone can be major reason for the hyperpigmentation.
• Birth control pills consumption, hormone replacement therapy, post pregnancy hormonal imbalance can cause hyperpigmentation.
• large, dark patches occur typically on the face known as melasma, is more common in women.

4.Medications and Chemicals:

• Wrong or allergic skincare products can lead to dark patches; it can be spots, small or large patches.
• Consumption of antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs can cause Side effects like hyperpigmentation.

5.Medical Conditions:

• Certain medical conditions like Hemochromatosis, Addison’s disease can darken the skin leading to hyperpigmentation by affecting melanin production.

Precautions to Prevent Hyperpigmentation

1.Sun Protection-

• The most important precaution we can take against hyperpigmentation is protecting the skin from harmful UV rays.
• No matter what skin type you have, always use broad spectrum sunscreens with minimum spf 30 every morning, regardless of weather.
• Whether you stay at home or have a job, whether you go outside or not, regardless of your gender or age, using sunscreen is compulsory.
• Use adequate amount of sunscreen to cover all exposed body area including face, hand and other parts. Generally, two tablespoons of sunscreen required to cover all exposed skin area.
• Wear protective clothing with long sleeve. Use Umbrella, hats or scarf outside the shade.

2.Avoid Picking at Skin:

• When you squeeze a pimple, scratch or scab, several things can happen, often leading to more harmful condition.
• The physical trauma from squeezing can cause inflammation, making pimple looks larger, redder and more noticeable.
• Interfering with the natural process of healing, it can delay in recovery.

3.Gentle Skin Care:

• skin care products should be mild and non-irritating to skin.
• Always do patch test before incorporating new product into skincare routine.
• Harsh chemicals, physical scrubs, and over-exfoliation can damage the skin and increases the hyperpigmentation risk by triggering an inflammatory response.

4. Hormonal Management:

• Hyperpigmentation causes due to the hormonal imbalance needs consultation with healthcare expert or provider is necessary.
• They suggest medications or treatments to manage the hormonal imbalance.

5.Regular Monitoring:

• Preventing hyperpigmentation requires regular monitoring and proactive care, which can be included in your daily or weekly skincare routine.
• Always hydrate your skin with good moisturizer.
• Regularly examine your skin for any new or changing dark spots or patches. It will be more effective to manage hyperpigmentation after early detection.

Treatment and Cure for Hyperpigmentation

1. Topical Treatment:

• Vitamin C – Helps in brightens the skin and reduces the dark spot appearance also protect the skin against UV rays.
• Retinoids- helps to fade dark patches by shedding the pigmented skin or cells.
• Alpha Arbutin- Reduces the formation of melanin and decreases the pigmentation and dark or age spot.
• Hydroquinone- it inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme, which is required in melanin production. Its is top pick for treating hyperpigmentation as it is skin lightning agent.
• Niacinamide- it makes skin more even tone by minimizing the transfer of melanin to skin cells.
• Kojic acid- it is derived from fungi. It inhibit the production of tyrosinase enzyme , which is amino acid helps in Melanin production.
  

2.Chemical Peels:

• Chemical peels are use to peel off the top layer of skin which mainly contain pigmented cells.
• By peeling off top layer it reveals fresher and less dark skin underneath.
• Some commonly used peels contain exfoliators like glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid.

3. Laser Treatments:

• Laser treatment directly targets the melanin deposition and breakdown the pigmented cells.
• Different types of lasers are used depending upon the affected person’s skin type, severity and type of hyperpigmentation.

4. Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion:

• These techniques include physical exfoliation, which remove the top layer of skin and promote new skin growth.
• Fine crystals or a diamond tipped device used in microdermabrasion.
• Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure which also remove skin’s top layer.

5. Natural Remedies:

• There are so many home remedies to treat the hyperpigmentation. It takes for time than any other treatments.
• Aloe Vera gel, Turmeric, Rice water, Gram flour, Tea tree extract, these are very effective to treat hyperpigmentation.
• You can make mask and apply on your skin for 10 to 15 mins. Then gently scrub the dried mask on skin and wash off.
• Don’t forgot to hydrate the skin by applying a good moisturizer.

6. Medical Procedures:

• If hyperpigmentation is severe , dermatologist recommend more advanced treatments , which stimulates the collagen production and reduce pigmentation.

Living with Hyperpigmentation

• Its very challenging to manage hyperpigmentation as it takes time to get results from any type of treatment.
• Always try to combine preventive actions with right or appropriate treatment can give the best results.
• For Effective management, understanding of individual’s skin type, cause of condition and lifestyle is necessary.
• Try to get personalized treatment by consulting with a dermatologist.

Conclusion:

Hyperpigmentation is influenced by many internal and external factors. With proper knowledge of preventive measures and targeted treatments ,anyone can manage it effectively.