7 Triggers of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation can be described as any spot on the skin that has a darker appearance, usually showing as a brown or tan color. This kind of hyperpigmentation is more common in more melanated skin types due to their active melanocytes, or melanin-producing cells. There are three different types of hyperpigmentation:
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the most common and can appear as a brown color after trauma on the skin, such as breakouts or injury. This is different from post-inflammatory erythema which is the redness left behind after trauma, more common in less melanated skin types.
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that’s caused by changes in hormones, and is more common in women.
Liver spots are hyperpigmentation marks caused by genetics and the natural process of aging.
7 TRIGGERS OF HYPERPIGMENTATION
1. UVA/UVB Exposure: Sun tanning is actually a form of hyperpigmentation! UVA and UVB rays activate melanocytes and damage your collagen and elastin. Tanning beds use exclusively the more damaging UVA rays, which is why using them leads to so much skin damage and the worsening of hyperpigmentation.
Hormonal Changes: Anything that alters the hormonal structure of the body such as birth control, menopause, pregnancy or even hormone replacement therapy can cause the skin to hyperpigment. This is the most difficult to get rid of because it’s caused by something happening internally and is not usually superficial.
Genetics: Aging is a natural process, and can result in liver spots. We usually start to see this kind of hyperpigmentation in people ages 40 and up, but it can be accelerated by use of tanning beds or frequent sunburns.
Inflammation: Any kind of inflammation can trigger hyperpigmentation. For example, inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, or even irritating skin care products usually containing acids.
Disease: There are some diseases such as hemochromatosis, Addison’s disease or lupus that can cause hyperpigmentation as well. For example, lupus causes hyperpigmentation for some because it increases UVA/UVB sensitivity.
Skin Injury: Breakouts and acne are actually considered wounds of the skin, and also usually have an inflammatory component. We can cause worsened hyperpigmentation by doing extractions at home, because it can cause damage and increased inflammation in addition to the spread of bacteria. Excoriations, or breakouts that have been picked at, in addition to skin abrasions or burns are other examples of skin injury that could lead to hyperpigmentation.
Medications: Certain medications can trigger hyperpigmentation because of their effects on the body. Light sensitizing medications increase UVA/UVB exposure. Some anti-malarial drugs and tricyclic antidepressants are known to cause hyperpigmentation as well.
HOW TO TREAT HYPERPIGMENTATION
There are many treatment options available for hyperpigmentation, from in-spa to at-home. Peels will help to gradually lift the pigment, and laser will target the melanin and break it up. At home, you can use tyrosinase inhibitors such as Vitamin C to block excess melanin from being produced, retinoids will increase cell turnover, and hydroquinone will lighten the skin. Of course, our greatest tool to prevent hyperpigmentation in the first place is SPF! So make sure to wear it every day, especially if using treatments and actives.
Here at Sacred Skincare, we offer a variety of services that can help to lift and clear hyperpigmentation. With a gentle custom peel we’d have the option to choose between multiple acids and concentrations, or a PCA peel would work a bit deeper (and faster) because it uses professional-level-only TCA (aka trichloroacetic acid). LED helps to promote collagen production and wound healing, while Laser Genesis offers a deeper and more intense stimulation of collagen and may help to break up melanin pigments. Microneedling would be an aggressive treatment for hyperpigmentation but it does help to rebuild the structure of the skin and clear hyperpigmentation as well.
Some services at Sacred Skincare that utilize a combination of these modalities are:
Written by: Evan, Esthetician at Sacred Skincare
After having dealt with acne since adolescence, Evan discovered his passion for skincare while working in the makeup industry. Since graduating from Atelier Esthetique, he has mastered his knowledge of skincare throughout his career.