Hyperpigmentation is a harmless condition where patches of skin become darker due to excess melanin. Age spots, melasma spots, and freckles are types of hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure can worsen darkened patches, but prescription creams and laser treatments can help lighten them.
Hyperpigmentation is a common condition where certain patches of skin become darker in color. This is a harmless condition caused when there is too much brown pigment, called melanin, in the skin. This condition can affect people of all races.
Age spots, sometimes called liver spots, are a form of hyperpigmentation. They usually occur due to skin damage caused by the sun. Doctors call these spots solar freckles. The small dark spots are usually found on the hands and face, but any area that gets a lot of sun can be affected.
There are two types of spots that are similar to age spots, but cover larger areas of skin. These are referred to as melasma spots or chloasma, and while they look similar to age spots, they are the result of hormonal changes. Some pregnant women produce excess melanin and get a condition called “pregnancy mask” on their faces or abdomen. Women who take birth control pills may also develop hyperpigmentation as their bodies react hormonally as if they were pregnant.
Hyperpigmentation is not the only cause of skin color change. Acne can cause darkening of the skin, as well as skin lesions and some surgeries. Freckles are dark spots on the skin of the face and arms and is an inherited condition.
Any darkened patches can become even darker when that area of skin is exposed to the sun because melanin absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet rays to protect the skin from overexposure. This is actually what we call a “tan”.
There are a variety of prescription creams that can help lighten dark spots on your skin. They do this by slowing down the production of melanin so the patches fade. Laser treatments are also effective for removing hyperpigmentation and can often remove pigmented areas without leaving scars.
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