Hyperpigmentation: The Causes and Treatments Available

What is Skin Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a common and usually harmless condition that causes patches of skin to appear darker than the surrounding areas due to excess melanin production, which is the pigment responsible for skin colour. When there is an overproduction of melanin by specialised skin cells, it results in an uneven skin tone. Skin hyperpigmentation can occur superficially in the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin), deeper in the dermis (the middle layer of skin), or as a combination of both.

What Causes Skin Hyperpigmentation?

Skin hyperpigmentation is mainly influenced by the increased production and distribution of melanin, the natural pigment responsible for the colour of skin, hair, and eyes. Hyperpigmentation can result from various causes, some of which are easier to treat than others.

  1. Sun Damage

    Sunlight is the leading cause of hyperpigmentation, as UV rays from the sun stimulate melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin. Prolonged sun exposure triggers increased melanin production as the body’s way of protecting your skin against harmful UV rays. However, excessive exposure to the sun still results in hyperpigmentation irregularities like sun spots or age spots. Sun exposure can also cause dark spots or patches on the skin to become more pronounced.

     

  2. Hormonal Fluctuations

    Hyperpigmentation may develop as a side effect of certain hormone treatments. Your body may experience hormonal changes during pregnancy, when you take oral contraceptives like birth control pills, or when you undergo hormonal therapies, which influence the body’s melanin production. Melasma is a common condition caused by hormonal imbalance.

     

  3. Skin Inflammation or Injury

    Skin conditions or surgery can cause inflammation that activates melanocytes, resulting in pigmentation changes. This process can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where dark or discoloured spots develop after your skin heals from skin injuries or inflammation such as acne, eczema, or lupus. Individuals with darker skin tones are more prone to this condition due to their naturally higher melanin content.

     

  4. Age

    Physiological changes are a primary cause of the increase in age spots in those over 40 years old. The number of melanocytes decreases with age, while the remaining cells grow larger and distribute melanin more unevenly. The change to melanin distribution that occurs as we age can lead to the development of age or liver spots, often caused by years of accumulated sun exposure.

     

  5. Reaction or Exposure to Medications, Chemicals, and Drugs

    If you experience pigmentation changes in your skin triggered by certain medications or chemicals such as antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, anti-seizure drugs, or topical treatments, patches of your skin may turn grey.

Types of Hyperpigmentation

There are various types of hyperpigmentation, but melasma, age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are the most common types of skin pigmentation.

woman with skin hyperpigmentation

Melasma

Melasma, also known as chloasma, or “the mask of pregnancy”, presents itself as brown or grey-brown patches primarily on the face, including the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose bridge, and chin. The patches caused by this common pigmentation condition may also appear on other areas of your body that are exposed to a lot of sunlight like your forearms, neck, and shoulders.

Melasma is often associated with hormonal changes such as pregnancy or birth control use, making women particularly susceptible. Those with light brown to darker skin tones are also affected, especially in regions exposed to more sun.

Age Spots

Age Spots

Also referred to by various other names such as lentigo, sun spots, and solar lentigines, age spots are usually flat spots that are tan, brown, or black. Age spots look like freckles and are darker than the surrounding skin. They are also known as liver spots, and despite the name, it has no connection to the liver. Due to prolonged UV exposure, these spots develop on skin exposed to the sun, commonly appearing on the face, hands, arms, and legs of older individuals or those who are exposed to the sun for an extended amount of time.

post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation presents itself as dark spots, patches of darkened skin, or flat areas of discolouration. These can appear after healing from skin inflammation or injury like acne, cuts, burns, eczema, or lupus. They form due to an inflammatory response that triggers additional melanin production during the skin’s healing process. Sun exposure can also make these spots more distinct.

Treatments for Skin Hyperpigmentation at JY Medical Aesthetics Clinic

Although some skin pigmentation can improve naturally over time, certain types of hyperpigmentation are more stubborn. However, there are aesthetic treatments that help to reduce the appearance of unyielding dark spots or patches.

microneedling rf treatment

Microneedling Radiofrequency

Combining microneedling with radiofrequency (RF), this treatment delivers RF energy through tiny needles, targeting dark spots and uneven skin tone caused by melanin deposits. The RF energy generates heat that progressively breaks down melanin deposits, leading to brightening the affected areas over time. Microneedling Radiofrequency stimulates the skin’s natural healing process, encourages the generation of new skin cells with balanced melanin levels, and promotes a more even skin tone.

pico hybrid laser for skin

Pico Hybrid Laser

Pico hybrid laser uses picosecond laser technology to deliver ultra-short energy pulses to the skin which effectively breaks down pigmentation into smaller particles, enabling the body to eliminate them naturally. This approach offers great precision and causes minimal heat damage to surrounding tissue, making the treatment effective for lightening dark pigmentation and improving uneven skin tone.

This non-invasive hyperpigmentation laser treatment is less abrasive than traditional lasers, resulting in a shorter recovery time. The combination of picosecond and nanosecond pulse durations also helps to address skin concerns more precisely and efficiently. The shorter pulse lengths allow for shorter treatment times, typically lasting 15 to 30 minutes depending on each individual’s condition and treatment area.

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Treating Skin Pigmentation in Singapore

If you want to manage your skin pigmentation concerns, visit our medical aesthetics clinic today to discover how our treatments can benefit you.

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Dr. Branden Seow – Singapore Aesthetic Medicine Doctor at JY Medical Aesthetics Clinic

AESTHETIC DOCTOR

Dr. Branden Seow

Dr. Branden Seow graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is fully accredited by the Singapore Medical Council’s Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee. Before doing Aesthetic Medicine, he had experiences working in several medical disciplines like Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Emergency Medicine, as well as Dermatology.

He found great fulfillment in helping patients regain confidence by addressing skin-related issues, as well as making patients look their best, their youngest and their most confident. Dr. Seow’s passion for aesthetic medicine stems from his natural affinity for hands-on work and a deep desire to improve his patients’ lives. Dr. Seow also believes that aesthetic treatments are not just about physical transformation but also about improving a person’s overall sense of well-being.

CONTACT OUTLET

Jean Yip Loft

307 New Bridge Rd, Jean Yip Loft #02-00, Singapore 088757

Jurong Point

1 Jurong West Central 2, #03-02, Singapore 648886
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:30pm
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