Hyperpigmentation is a medical term used to describe darker patches of skin. These patches result from excess melanin production, which can be caused by everything from acne scars and sun damage to hormone fluctuations.
If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, know that you aren’t alone. Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition, and there are a number of different treatment options available.
Types of hyperpigmentation include age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Each of these has different cause and a range of treatments and products, including creams and cosmetic procedures.
Some forms of hyperpigmentation, including melasma and sun spots, are more likely to affect areas of skin that face sun exposure, including the face, arms, and legs.
Other types of hyperpigmentation form after an injury or skin inflammation, such as cuts, burns, acne, or lupus. These can occur anywhere on the body. Having extra pigment in some areas of skin is usually harmless but can sometimes indicate another medical condition.
To prevent hyperpigmentation, or to stop it becoming more prominent:
Avoid exposure to the sun. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect the skin and stop hyperpigmentation from becoming darker.
Avoid picking at the skin. To prevent hyperpigmentation from forming after an injury, avoid picking at spots, scabs, and acne.
People can try the following treatments to lighten dark patches of skin and remove hyperpigmentation:
Topical creams
Many people use topical treatments to treat hyperpigmentation. Topical treatments will include ingredients that lighten the skin, such as:
azelaic acid
corticosteroids
hydroquinone
kojic acid
retinoids, such as tretinoin
vitamin C
Cosmetic procedures
Some cosmetic procedures can also lighten areas of skin to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Cosmetic procedures for hyperpigmentation include:
laser therapy
intense pulsed light
chemical peels
microdermabrasion
People who are considering undergoing one of these procedures should discuss the process and possible side effects with a skin care specialist, or dermatologist.
If you are looking for a dermatologist hospital in Dubai, then get in touch with the experts at Gargash Hospital, you can find some of the best skin specialist in Dubai at Gargash Hospital.
They will best explain what kind of hyperpigmentation treatment is best suited to your skin.