What is Hyperpigmentation and Why Do I Get It?

Posted on 20 Jun, 2016

In our recent blogs we have been heavily focused on hyperpigmentation, the causes and solutions to help our clients understand how they can manage their skincare problems. A lot of our clients come to us and ask ‘what is hyperpigmentation and why do I get it?’, there is a lot of misconceptions surrounding hyperpigmentation and we are here to clear a few of them up.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skincare problems we deal with here at The Laser Treatment Clinic, it is generally a harmless skin problem which can cause patches of the skin to appear darker.

Why Do I Get It?

There is a number of reasons why you may experience hyperpigmentation in your skin, it is caused by an increase of melanin in the skin which in turn causes darker patches of skin to appear. There is a common misconception that it only occurs in women as they age; however, we are here to debunk this myth as we regularly treat men for hyperpigmentation skin concerns.

An increase in melanin in the skin can cause patches to appear darker, and age or ‘liver spots’ are a common form; referred to by doctors as sun lentigines these small, patches are frequently found on the arms or face.

Can It Be Managed?

Yes! If your pigmentation is being caused by sun damage, you can easily protect your skin from hyperpigmentation by using a good quality sunscreen and avoiding over exposure to the sun’s rays. It can be managed and effectively removed with a course of laser treatment; however, each case is different and the results and effectiveness of the treatment will depend on your individual skin and the causes behind your hyperpigmentation. For example, if hyperpigmentation has been caused due to an imbalance of hormones because of a pregnancy it is common that this will solve itself over time after the baby has been born. But in other cases, when hyperpigmentation has been caused by sun damage, it can be harder to treat.

At The Laser Treatment Clinic, our friendly skincare professionals can provide you with advice and a course of treatments that will be suited to your individual needs. Contact us today!