HYPERPIGMENTATION

 

Pimple marks, sunspots and melasma patches - one of the most frustrating things about hyperpigmentation are that it can be as unavoidable as the forces that manifest it. Sun, heat, and hormones, we’re looking at you! As a result, this skin health issue has become one of the trickiest to conquer on your own. From natural botanical brighteners such as arbutin, soy, and licorice root to the gold standard chemicals such as retinoids and hydroquinone; hero antioxidants such as vitamin C and green tea and exfoliating fruit enzymes not to mention the golden rule of sunscreen application - there are many ways to tackle hyperpigmentation. But the most important place to start? Investigating your symptoms and causes.

WHAT CAUSES PIGMENTATION

Melasma- Hormonal Changes

 Melasma, as known as chloasma, is a skin condition where larger patches of hyperpigmentation develop on the skin over time. This is caused by hormonal changes and often develops during pregnancy and can appear on any area of the body - most commonly the face and stomach areas.

SunSpots - Excessive Exposure to the Sun

Often referred to as Age Spots, liver spots, and solar lentigines- Sun Spots are pretty common. They are directly related to excess exposure to the sun over time and therefore generally appear on areas most frequently exposed to sunlight. For this reason, hands, face, shoulders, and décolleté are the most common areas for sunspots to be located. They tend to look like small, darker patches of skin.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - Acne

This type of hyperpigmentation appears when the skin has been injured after a pimple, insect bite or other trauma to the skin has occurred and once healed leaves a flat, discolored mark in its wake. It’s most commonly found amongst acne sufferers