Hyperpigmentation: Causes & Best Treatments (Part 1) - AMAE Med Spa

Hyperpigmentation: Causes & Best Treatment (Part 1)

The majority of skin tone and texture issues are purely aesthetic in nature – and are generally not dangerous – although they can certainly undermine one’s self-confidence.

However, some types of hyperpigmentation (dark spots) can be indications of a more severe disease like skin cancer. But even if uneven pigmentation issues don’t cause pain or discomfort, they may be distressing – especially when they affect parts of the body that are most apparent to others, such as the face.

In this article the skin care experts at AMAE Med Spa in Bloomfield Hills area address some of the most prevalent kinds of hyperpigmentation, as well as the signs, symptoms, causes, and recommended treatments for each.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is defined as dark patches that appear after an inflamed (red and infected) sore on the skin has healed – causing discoloration and/or scars. One of the most frequent causes of hyperpigmentation in patients is acne scars.

Flat, dark brown, red, gray, black, pink, or purple dark patches av be produced by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This results when excess melanin is generated when the skin tries to repair itself after the inflammation or infection. The afflicted region becomes discolored as a consequence, which is generally permanent, but skin discolorations may diminish somewhat with time.

Age Spots

Medically called “solar lentigines”, age spots, go by many names: liver spots, dark spots, and sun spots, to mention a few. Sun damage as one ages causes these discolored spots, which develop over time and become more visible and severe in elderly individuals.

Although age spots are more prevalent in individuals with lighter skin tones, they may afflict people of all skin tones. As with most skin conditions, there is typically a hereditary component as well. Age spots are characterized by increased pigmentation in tiny spots or patches that are flat, oval-shaped, and beige, black, or brown-colored. Age spots are most often seen on the face, shoulders, hands, arms, and chest, which have been exposed to the sun for a long time.

Melasma

Melasma, also known as “chloasma”, is a dark patch of skin that develops across the cheeks, nose, upper lip, and chin, as well as less often on other sun-exposed regions of the body such as the legs and arms. Melasma is one of the most common and visible pigmentary problems, affecting up to five million Americans, the majority of them women. Melasma affects just 10% of males, but women are considerably more prone to get this condition.

Melasma frequently occurs during pregnancy. It’s known as “the mask of pregnancy” because of this, and it’s believed to be produced by a shift in hormones, among other things. This hormonal component is also the reason whey more females than males suffer from melasma.

The symptoms of melasma are mainly cosmetic and generally otherwise harmless. Melasma symptoms include gray, brown, or light-beige spots on the chin, cheeks, upper lip region, nose, and forehead.

Hyperpigmentation Treatment | Bloomfield Hills, MI

No matter what is causing your skin to show signs of hyperpigmentation, the trained professionals at AMAE Med Spa in the Bloomfield Hills area can help restore your skin to youthful clarity and smoothness!

Beginning with a professional skin consultation, hyperpigmentation treatments are selected and optimized to meet your unique and specific needs. Schedule a hyperpigmentation consultation at AMAE in the Bloomfield Hills area, then relax in our Bloomfield Hills area Med Spa, while we help you look and feel younger, and restore your skin to youthful clarity!

Hyperpigmentation Treatment | Bloomfield Hills, MI: 248-335-7200