The irregular darkening in spots or patches is caused by an overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color. Uneven skin tone and hyper-pigmentation can be superficial or deep and can be temporary or permanent.
There are several types of hyper-pigmentation, the common ones are:
Melasma
Typically occurring symmetrically and believed to be correlated to hormonal changes; it can develop during pregnancy.
Sunspots
Solar lentigos or ‘old age spots’ occur related to excess sun exposure over time.
Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation
Typically results from skin injury or inflammation. Common causes are acne or friction.
Excess production of melanin can be triggered by UV rays or levels of hormones.
Uneven skin tone and superficial hyper-pigmentation can be addressed by adopting a high-performance skin care regimen and continued use of sun protection. Stubborn hyper-pigmentation may require in-clinic treatments supported by prescriptions and dermo cosmetics.
