Hyperpigmentation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Hyperpigmentation is the medical term for patches of skin that are darker than normal skin tone. These hyperpigmentatio patches or "spots" are usually harmless and painless, but most people find them unappealing.

Hyperpigmentation treatment
Hyperpigmentation skin care products abound on the internet, but do they really work? A consumer has to be cautious before purchasing a hyperpigmentation skin care product since many of them may not have undergone much testing.
     Microdermabrasion and retinoic acid can sometimes help hyperpigmentation skin. There are simple skin bleaching creams and gels which can lighten some areas.

Skin Hyperpigmentation

There are several types of skin hyperpigmentation, including:
 

Freckles - These are small brown or tan spots most common in children and individuals with blue eyes, red hair or fair skin. They occur in areas exposed to the sun.

Melasma - This type looks like irregular streaks, spots or patches that appear in a symmetrical pattern on your cheeks, nose and upper lip, or on the neck, chin and around the eyes. Melasma is most commonly a result of hormonal changes during the aging process (age spots) or sun exposure, but can also occur during pregnancy or in women taking birth control pills. For more information on melasma.

Solar lentigines - Also caused by the sun, these round, brown spots can take years to develop and can be quite dark (sometimes called "beauty" spots). They appear mostly on areas exposed to light, such as the face, back, chest, arms and hands.
     First-line therapy for solar lentigines was ablative therapy with cryotherapy. Lasers are an effective treatment. An alternative to ablative therapy is topical therapy and there is good evidence to support the use of a fixed double combination, as well as retinoids, such as adapalene and tretinoin.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is often caused by various preceding disease processes that affect the skin; these processes include infections, allergic reactions, mechanical injuries, reactions to medications, phototoxic eruptions, trauma (eg, burns), and inflammatory diseases (eg, acne, lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis).

Hyperpigmentation questions
Q. I have severe hyperpgmentation on the face - I am a 38 year old male. I read a few resources that said DIM, IP6 and Gamma Oryzanol is good. Do you know and if so how effective they are?
     A. We are not familiar with these nutrients for use in skin hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation treatment