Hyperpigmentation is a broad word that refers to a variety of skin problems in which patches of skin become markedly darker than the surrounding skin in the same place. Many common skin diseases are caused by hyperpigmentation, including:

• Age spots, also known as liver spots or solar lentigines, are brown, tan, or black patches that form on the skin after prolonged sun exposure.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is characterised by darker spots and patches on the skin and is frequently connected with acne. It frequently arises following an inflammatory skin disease or trauma, such as acne, eczema, scrapes, or insect bites.
• Melasma is characterised by brown spots that regularly occur on the face. Hormonal swings constitute a significant cause of this illness, which is why it is more common in women, particularly during pregnancy. Melasma normally shows as a pattern on the face, most commonly on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip, and worsens with sun exposure

What is the cause of hyperpigmentation?

Skin hyperpigmentation is produced by an increase in melanin, the body’s natural pigment that determines the colour of human skin, hair, and eyes. Several variables can influence melanin synthesis in the body, including:

• Various medicines can produce hyperpigmentation. As a side effect, several antibiotics, chemotherapeutic medications, antiarrhythmics, and antimalarial treatments can produce hyperpigmentation.
• Some women’s melanin synthesis might be affected by changes in hormone levels during pregnancy.
• Addison’s disease, a rare endocrine disorder, may result in increased melanin synthesis and hyperpigmentation, which can be more visible in sun-exposed regions such as the face, neck, and hands.
• Age spots, freckles, and other dark skin patches become more visible when sunlight is exposed. Melanin absorbs UV ray energy to protect the skin from overexposure, resulting in overproduction and darkened skin patches.

What are some hyperpigmentation treatment options?

Lasers diminish hyperpigmentation by using focused laser beams. Non-ablative lasers target the dermis to encourage collagen formation, whereas ablative lasers remove layers of skin. As a result, these lasers encourage the creation of new skin cells, which aids in the reduction of hyperpigmentation. Similarly, laser treatments can also treat acne.

Other cosmetic procedures for hyperpigmentation accessible at our skin care centre, in addition to laser therapy, are:

• Broadband Light Therapy (BBL) or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – Also known as photofacials, these devices help restore your skin’s natural beauty.
• Chemical peels – Acid solutions exfoliate the skin by eliminating the skin’s outermost layers, revealing healthier and cleaner skin beneath. These treatments are available in various depths and can address many issues and aims.

What parts can be treated?

You can treat any healthy region of the body with laser pigmentation removal. Face, head, neck, throat, shoulders, back, behind, bikini line, arms, underarms, legs, and feet are all included. A more thorough laser treatment plan may be recommended for body parts with thicker skin, such as the posterior.