Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a condition wherein parts of the skin become darker than the surrounding skin. This condition is caused by the body’s excess production of melanin, and is a harmless and common condition affecting anyone of any skin color and race.
Forms of hyperpigmentation and Causes
There are different forms of hyperpigmentation, and the most common of which is called age spots or liver spots. These are caused mostly by excess exposure to the sun over the years. Doctors call these as solar lentigines. These forms of hyperpigmentation or usually found on a person’s hands, face and other parts of the body that are usually exposed to the sun.
Melasma spots (also knows as cholasma) look like age spots, but they are usually larger spots or parts of darkened skin. These are caused by internal factors more than external factors. One example would be changes in hormone levels – such as pregnancy. Pregnant women develop hyperpigmentation such as a “mask of pregnancy” on the face, the appearance of linea nigra and more.
External causes like wounds, injuries and acne can cause dark spots on the skin as well and these are considered as hyperpigmentation as well. Freckles are another form of this condition, but these are hereditary. Freckles usually become darker once exposed to the sun.