Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition in which some parts of your face can get darker than the rest of the face.
It is a widely common condition and can happen in the form of freckles, age spots, acne spots, sun spots, or liver spots.
Melanin, a substance produced by skin cells, is the cause of the color of your skin, hair, and eyes. The damage to the skin cells can lead to excess melanin production which in turn causes pigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation can occur due to multiple reasons. Some of them are listed below.
1. Inflammation.
There are various ways in which skin gets irritated. Inflammation can be caused in multiple ways such as acne, eczema, bug bites, cuts, and friction from vigorous rubbing or scratching. Irritated skin can produce more melanin than normal leaving behind spots or pigmented skin. This is more commonly known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
2. Sun Exposure for a prolonged duration
Harmful UV rays from the sun can cause melanin levels to spike. To protect your skin from sun damage, melanin is produced in excess amounts. This excessive melanin is the cause of tan, sunspots, and pigmentation.
3. Melasma or Mask of Pregnancy
Melasma is a skin condition that occurs due to drastic hormonal changes. This condition is generally caused during pregnancy. Melasma is the most commonly seen condition in women, however, men could also suffer from melasma and hyperpigmentation.
4. Medications
Addison’s disease, and adrenal gland disorder, can also overproduce melanin causing hyperpigmentation. Some medicines, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause hyperpigmentation due to increased melanin production in the body.
5. Other Causes
Hyperpigmentation can also occur as a result of severe physical treatments like radiation or chemotherapy, insulin resistance, skin trauma, or irritation.
How to reduce or prevent pigmentation
1. Avoid direct sun exposure.
Since the top cause of hyperpigmentation is harmful sun rays, you should avoid direct sunlight. When you are out in the peak hours of the afternoon, cover your face, and use an umbrella or a hat.
2. Vitamin C is your best friend
Add vitamin C to your skincare regime without fail. It is known for its antioxidant properties. Vitamin C also neutralizes free radicals thereby limiting further damage. Vitamin C can be in the form of a serum or moisturizer. Here is The Skin Story Vitamin C Serum that you can try.
3. Sunscreen is a must.
Do not miss out on a good sunblock to protect the skin from UV rays damage. You should apply sunscreen even when you are indoors and also during the winter. Ensure your sunscreen has a minimum of SPF 15+. You can try the wide range of sunscreen we have at The Skin Story.
4. Use a pigmentation serum.
You can add a serum or spot treatment to your skincare routine to spot correct. The Skin Story Pigmentation Corrector Serum is enriched with Alpha arbutin, an active ingredient, known for reducing pigmentation and skin lightening. It also has niacinamide which is known to lighten the skin.
For visible results, you must try the pigmentation serum consistently for 45 days. Follow it with a good sunblock the next morning and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
While these are some of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation and some tried and tested ways to reduce or prevent it, there is more to it. You must follow a healthy lifestyle, work out and rest well. Pigmentation could also be a result of stress, acne breakouts, and an unhealthy lifestyle.
We hope by now you know all about hyperpigmentation. Take amazing care of yourself and your skin. Eat healthy, exercise, sleep well and most importantly use only the best skincare products for your skincare routine.
