What causes hyperpigmentation?
While the amount of melanin that your skin
naturally produces is in part caused by genetics,
we also know that melanocytes can become
overactive as an inflammatory response due to
skin damage — such as an acne lesion or scar
— as well as sun exposure. Hormone changes,
as is the case with melasma, can also cause over-
activity of the melanocytes. Thus, both internal
and external factors can contribute to hyper-
pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
Types of hyperpigmentation
There are several types of hyperpigmentation,
caused by factors such as UV exposure and
hormone fluctuations.
Melasma. Sometimes called the ‘mask of preg-
nancy’, melasma is common among pregnant
women. It is typically characterised by patches
of light or dark brown skin on the face and
sometimes the neck. Melasma can be triggered
by hormonal changes, as well as sun exposure.
While melasma caused by pregnancy may fade
away on its own, anyone who has had this
problem should take extra precautions to avoid
sun exposure so that it doesn’t come back.
of melanin — are able to treat hyperpigmen-
tation issues by decreasing the amount of
melanin that is produced within the skin. Prod-
ucts such as the SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment
Correcting Serum can correct hyperpigmentation
and achieve a more even complexion. It contains
a cutting-edge skin lightening ingredient called
Tranexamic Acid, which inhibits an activator
called plasminogen. Triggered by UV light, the
plasminogen activator then triggers tyrosinase
to produce melanin, resulting in hyperpigmen-
tation. Once inhibited by Tranexamic Acid,
however, this cascade effect cannot occur.
Retinoids are also a popular anti-aging ingre-
dient that can help to improve the appearance
of dark spots and other pigmentation issues. In
addition to using the right treatment products,
practicing good sun protection habits is a must
to prevent dark spots from coming back. Wear
at least SPF15 on a daily basis and higher SPFs
when outside for longer periods of time. Don’t
forget to apply sunscreen to your eyelids, the
tips of your ears, and the back of your neck.
For more information about treating hyperpig-
mentation, you can visit Dr Baumann’s blog at
www.LeslieBaumannMD.com.
Solar lentigos. Although they are often called
‘age spots’, solar lentigos are not caused by
age. These dark patches of skin usually appear
on the face, neck, arms, and hands of people
over 50 and are caused by years of sun exposure.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This type
of hyperpigmentation occurs after damage to the
skin, which could be caused by a cut, bug bite,
acne, or other sources of trauma resulting in skin
inflammation. Dark spots of skin appear over the
area where the inflammation occurred.
How to treat hyperpigmentation
Ingredients that inhibit or block tyrosinase
— the enzyme responsible for the production
ISSUE #12 | 2019 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 35