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Hyperpigmentation








hyperpigmentation


hyperpigmentation

all you need to know.

what is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can affect the skin colour of people of any race.

Types of hyperpigmentation 
  • Melasma: this is believed to be caused by hormonal changes and may also develop during pregnancy. Areas of pigmentation can appear on any area of the body, but they appear most commonly on the stomach and face.
  • Sunspots: also can be referred to as liver spots or solar lentigines, sunspots are common. They are related to excess sun exposure over time. Generally, they appear as spots on areas exposed to the sun.
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation:  this is a result of injury or inflammation to the skin. A common cause of this type is acne. 

Each of these has different causes and a range of treatments and products, including creams and cosmetic procedures. 

How is hyperpigmentation prevented & treated?

It is not always possible to prevent hyperpigmentation. However, you can protect yourself by:

  • Using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
  • Wearing hats or clothing that block sunlight
  • Avoiding the sun during the time of the day when it’s strongest, which is typically 10am to 4pm
  • Limit touching your face – scratching or picking a mosquito bite or spot can result in inflammation and lead to darker pigmentation on your skin, for example, when applying your skincare or makeup, make sure you wash your hands first.

HOMECARE

Sunscreen is the single most important factor in improving most cases of hyperpigmentation. You should look for:

  • Physical blocking sunscreen, preferably with zinc oxide as the main active ingredient 
  • SPF 30 to 50
  • Broad-spectrum coverage 

Use sunscreen daily – reapply it every 2 hours if you are out in the sun – more frequently if you are sweating or swimming. 

 

causes of pigmentation 
The causes of hyperpigmentation depends on the type; the most common causes of hyperpigmentation are:
1. Sun exposure

The body produces more melanin to protect the skin from prolonged exposure to the sun. This can cause dark spots or patches on the skin called age spots or sun spots.

2. Skin Inflammation

Areas of skin can darken after people have had inflammation of the skin. This can include any, eczema, lupus, or an injury to the skin.  People with darker skin are more likely to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

3. Hormones

Darker patches of skin can form when people experience hormonal changes. It is particularly common among women and is thought to occur when the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone stimulate the production of melanin when skin is exposed to the sun. This type of of hyperpigmentation is common during pregnancy.  It can also be triggered by certain medications such as chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, antimalarials and anti-seizure drugs, 

4. Medical conditions

In some cases, hyperpigmentation can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as Addison’s disease. 

5. Hyperpigmentation and age 

As skin ages, the number of melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) decreases but the remaining ones increase in size and their distribution becomes more focused. These physiological changes explain the increase in age spots in those over 40.

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know your ingredients

Discover what the ingredients found in your skincare regime are and what they can actually offer your skin, helping you debunk skincare myths and false promises.

At VieDerma, we are All Your Skin Needs.

effective skincare treatment for hyperpigmentation 

  • Niacinamide: also known as Vitamin B3, this powerful skincare ingredient has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and even skin tone.
  • Retinol: one of the most talked about ingredients of the decade, and retinol can be helpful in reducing the appearance of dark pigmentation spots by speeding up natural skin cell turnover. 
  • Vitamin C: applying a product containing Vitamin C on your skin can help fade marks of hyperpigmentation for a more even-toned complexion.
  • Keep skin moist to boost cell turnover – this means you should invest in a good, nourishing and hydrating moisturiserWhile your primary goal with hyperpigmentation is to lighten the dark spots, it is extremely useful to utilise products that contain ingredients that benefit the skin; moisturising agents such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin to boost cell turnover. These inactive ingredients allow the active brighteners to work more effectively. A good moisturiser can also restore the skin’s lipid barrier, helping to further protect it from the sun’s damaging rays. 

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No matter what you skin type is, it is always important to understand which products/treatments to go for before making them a part of your skincare & beauty regime. 

That being said, you can never be too careful as all skin types are different and unique, At VieDerma, we understand that everyone has individual goals and desires so book a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Skin Specialists to learn how you can treat and handle Hyperpigmentation safely and effectively in your skincare. 

At VieDerma, we know, you have and we are All Your Skin Needs.

skin treatments for hyperpigmentation

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