How to Spot and Treat Hyperpigmentation
Your skin color is the result of both genetics and environment. The amount of pigment or melanin that's produced determines whether your skin is light or dark. The skin's pigmentation is a natural defense against damaging sun rays. With the sun becoming stronger every year, we are more susceptible to sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is visibly seen as patches of dark skin that is surrounded by your normal skin color. The condition is commonly found on the hands, face, and other areas often exposed to the sun.
These darkened spots develop as a defensive mechanism when excess melanin absorbs the sun’s rays. Hyperpigmentation affects all people around the world, but some hyperpigmentation forms do affect people with darker skin. If treated correctly and promptly, you can reduce permanent skin damage and long lasting dark patches.
Freckles, Sun spots, and Melasma are all common symptoms of hyperpigmentation. Melasma is quite common in women because of both hormones and sun exposure. Melasma risk increases during menopause, pregnancy, and when using oral contraceptives. Brief sun exposure without protection can cause changes in skin pigmentation, so it's very important to wear sunscreen even when outside for a few minutes. Pigmentation will generally wash out over a year; however there are products that can speed this process along.
Individuals with fair skin are more likely to get freckles due to sun exposure. The freckles are your skins defense against harmful sun rays. Freckles can fade over time when the skin is protected, but fading can take years. For those who are more susceptible to freckles and sun spots, it's important to monitor them closely and visit your local dermatologist for routine checkups.
The initial step in reducing hyperpigmentation is prevention. Apply a broad spectrum spf protectant at least thirty minutes before exposing your body to the sun. One instance of overexposure can eliminate months of treatments and hard work to reduce sun spots.
Hyperpigemntation can attack both the skins dermis and epidermis layers. Approximately 40% of excess pigmentation will be in the epidermis, which is treatable. If pigmentation comes on fast and does not fade over time, then the problem is most likely deep in the dermis and difficult to treat. In most cases, hyperpigmentation is treatable through an assortment of products, such as Cosmelan. Exfoliating products can be effective in treating the visible signs of sun damage, by lightly removing the top layer of skin cells and then replacing them with healthy new skin cells.
