Causes of Hyperpigmentation and Treatment Options

Hyperpigmentation is when a part of your skin looks darker than the rest. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by a wide variety of conditions and is more common the older you are. These “brown spots” can be distracting and break up the appearance of the skin. This can be distressing and can affect a person’s confidence. Thankfully, there are treatment options for brown spot removal. Let’s explore some causes of hyperpigmentation and how it can be treated.

Sun Damage

The sun emits powerful UV radiation. This radiation penetrates the skin and damages the cells and underlying structures. Your skin naturally mitigates some of this damage through the melanin in your skin. However, enough exposure will still cause damage and kill cells. In response to the damage, your body will produce more melanin and darken your skin to try and protect itself. This is commonly known as tanning. The excess melanin in your skin can occasionally clump up and develop what’s called a sunspot. This spot on your skin will remain dark even after the rest of your skin lightens. This process can happen from natural sun UV exposure or from tanning beds.

Medications

Certain medications can cause hyperpigmentation as a side effect. Medicine that can cause light sensitivity, like oral birth control, can lead to an accumulation of melanin and cause hyperpigmentation.

Melasma

Melasma is a condition where the body produces too much melanin. It commonly affects the face, arms, neck, and back. It is very common among pregnant women, and 15 percent to 50 percent of pregnant women experience melasma. Thankfully, melasma is rarely permanent and will fade over time.

Injury

Injuries to the skin can cause hyperpigmentation through postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is when the body develops too much melanin in response to inflammation in the skin. It is also common after a thermal injury, like a burn. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation can fade over time or be permanent until treated.

Seeking Treatment

Hyperpigmentation and the overproduction of melanin can be frustrating, especially because you rarely have any control over it. Thankfully, Dr. Joseph Jensen with Elevation Aesthetics provides brown spot removal services to help you feel more comfortable in your skin. Dr. Jensen offers many different options for brown spot removal, like Cynosure or Picosecond laser technology. If you’re ready to say goodbye to hyperpigmentation, contact Dr. Jensen’s office at 385-424-4567 today.