Hyperpigmentation: Types, Causes & Treatments

Hyperpigmentation is a type of skin pigmentation that can potentially occur anywhere on our bodies, taking the form of dark patches. The primary culprit of hyperpigmentation is an excess of melanin, which itself is a type of skin pigment. Hyperpigmentation affects all races, ethnicities, and skin shades.

While the issue is generally harmless, hyperpigmentation can potentially be indicative of a more serious illness or disease. However, most people who have hyperpigmentation worry first and foremost about the worries that come with the cosmetic changes. The main causes of the increase in melanin that causes hyperpigmentation are sun exposure, hormonal issues, age, and skin issues. Specific causes may include:

• adrenal disorders (the body is incapable of making enough cortisol)
• hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy
• vitamin deficiencies
• thyroid issues
• sun damage
• medications that could potentially cause sensitivity to light
• skin injury such as acne, cuts, or burns that leave behind hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation Consultation and Diagnosis

If you have discoloration on your face or body and want to confirm whether or not hyperpigmentation is the issue, the first step is to contact Southeastern Dermatology and schedule a consultation. Dr. Doppelt and the Southeastern Dermatology staff can examine the pigmentation issue and determine if it is hyperpigmentation. Once diagnosed, we can both inform you on the scope of your hyperpigmentation issue, and go over treatment options that are available to help treat the issue.

Hyperpigmentation Treatment Options

At Southeastern Dermatology, we have extensive experience with hyperpigmentation, and offer a variety of options and treatments. Most hyperpigmentation issues fall into three major categories: brown spots and freckles, redness, and melasma. Below is a by-category list of the many solutions available through Southeastern Dermatology.

Products & Treatments for Brown Spots & Freckles

• SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment: A powerful daily serum to help target and prevent visible discoloration. This treatment is designed to be a foundation in your daily regimen.
• SkinMedica Even & Correct Dark Spot Cream: A heavy-duty, targeted, fast-acting booster that reduces the appearance of dark spots with visible improvement in as little as one week.
• SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Pads: Alcohol-free brightening pads exfoliate for visibly bright skin. They prep the skin for absorption of treatment products.
• SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense: Highly potent serum that reduces the appearance of skin discoloration by brightening and evening skin tone.
• SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF: Antioxidant treatment serum that improves skin tone and radiance
• SkinMedica Retinol Complex: rejuvenates the skin by minimizing the appearance of fine lines, smoothing the skin, and lightening dark blemishes
• EltaMD UV Physical Sunscreen: protects the skin from sun exposure and hydrates the skin for a healthy appearance
• Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex: lightweight mineral sunscreen that evens skin tone for a beautiful appearance
• Chemical Peel: a chemical peel uses a specific solution in order to remove damaged outer layers of skin and reveal a younger and more even looking skin underneath. These are normally done on the face but can also be used on the hands and neck.
• IPL Photofacial: an Intense Pulsed Light photofacial is a form of laser treatment that uses short bursts of light on the skin’s surface to remove discoloration spots

Products & Treatments for Redness

• SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic: antioxidant treatment serum that protects the skin against free radicals and stimulates both collagen and elastin production.
• EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen: sunscreen that helps to calm and protect sensitive skin types prone to discoloration and promote the appearance of healthy skin
• EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser: gentle enzyme and amino acid blend cleanser that leaves your skin feeling clean and balanced
• IPL Photofacial: an Intense Pulsed Light Photofacial is a form of laser treatment that uses short bursts of light on the skin’s surface to remove discoloration spots

Products & Treatments for Melasma

• SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment: A powerful daily serum to help target and prevent visible discoloration. This treatment is designed to be a foundation in your daily regimen.
• SkinMedica Even & Correct Dark Spot Cream: A heavy-duty, targeted, fast-acting booster that reduces the appearance of dark spots with visible improvement in as little as one week.
• SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Pads: Alcohol-free brightening pads exfoliate for visibly bright skin. They prep the skin for absorption of treatment products.
• Hydroquinone Brightening Pads: brightens and soothes skin while helping reduce redness
• SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense: Highly potent serum that reduces the appearance of skin discoloration by brightening and evening skin tone.
• SkinMedica Retinol Complex: rejuvenates the skin by minimizing the appearance of fine lines, smoothing the skin, and lightening dark blemishes
• SkinMedica Total Defense & Repair: rejuvenating sunscreen that helps to prevent the appearance of premature aging from exposure to infrared rays. Helps to improve the appearance of damaged skin.
• Clear + Brilliant: this is a laser treatment that uses innovative technology to combat and prevent aging of the skin, revealing a more beautiful, youthful, and vibrant skin
• Picosure Focus Array: a cosmetic skin rejuvenation treatment that works to improve issues such as sun spots, pigmentation issues, fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring.
• Chemical Peel: a chemical peel uses a specific solution in order to remove damaged outer layers of skin and reveal a younger and more even looking skin underneath. These are normally done on the face but can also be used on the hands and neck.

Hyperpigmentation Prevention

While Dr. Doppelt and Southeastern Dermatology offer numerous cosmetic products and treatments to deal with hyperpigmentation, it’s important to dedicate a bit of time to how we can prevent it in the first place. While genetic issues can’t always be fought, you can protect your face from excessive sun exposure, a leading cause of hyperpigmentation.

Be sure to apply sunscreen every day, preferably one that is both broad spectrum (combats both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays) and at least SPF 30. Use physical blockers such as zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Finally, avoid too much sun exposure in general. This means both staying out of the sun and using protective clothing and hats when sun exposure is a necessity.

Stay Ahead of Hyperpigmentation

The first step to staying ahead of hyperpigmentation is obviously taking care of your skin with preventative measures, such as using sunscreen and avoiding excessive sun exposure. However, if you’ve noticed some pigmentation issues and want to deal with these issues as early as possible, the next step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Doppelt and Southeastern Dermatology.

At a consultation, we can determine whether or not your skin issue is, in fact, hyperpigmentation. Then, we can help put together a treatment plan that will help your skin get back to its best state. Call today!