What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition characterised by darkening of certain areas of the skin due to an excess production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. It can affect people of all skin types and can be caused by various factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, and skin injuries. Hyperpigmentation can manifest in different forms, such as:

• Sunspots (Solar Lentigines): Dark spots or patches that develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, hands, arms, and chest, due to prolonged sun exposure.
• Melasma: Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches, usually on the face, especially the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip. It occurs when pigment-producing cells in the skin (melanocytes) make too much melanin. Sun exposure, hormonal changes (like pregnancy or birth control pills), and genetic predisposition are major triggers along with extreme hot and cold temperatures, i.e exposure to hot weather for periods of time will induce melasma as well as exposure to extreme cold temperatures. Though harmless, melasma can be persistent and challenging to treat. Options like topical creams, chemical peels, specific laser therapy, and strict sun protection can help lighten the discoloration over time.
• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) Dark patches or spots that develop after skin inflammation or injury, such as acne, burns, cuts, or insect bites. PIH can affect any part of the body and may persist for months or even years after the initial injury has healed.
• Freckles: Small, flat, brown spots that develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin, particularly in fair-skinned individuals. Freckles are usually harmless and may darken with