Hyper-Pigmentation the Causes and the Treatment
Hyper-pigmentation is an unusual darkening of an area or areas of the skin caused by excess melanin
production. Melasma, age spots, acne scars or other dark scars and blemishes are common types of
hyper-pigmentation. The characteristic dark patches can appear on the legs, hands or any other part of
the body but is most common on the face.
Melasma, also known as ‘mask of pregnancy’, is caused by excess estrogen and is often seen in
pregnancy or in women taking birth control pills. Melasma will usually disappear after pregnancy or
when woman stop taking hormonal contraceptives but other forms of hyper-pigmentation are not so
easy to get rid of and a little help is needed to remove the dark marks.
Although hyper-pigmentation can occur with all skin types, it is commonly seen in those with darker skin
tones such as African or South Asian skin. Treatment for hyper pigmentation includes skin lightening
creams or soaps, microdermabrasion and laser skin lightening. Another common cause of hyperpigmentation is exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun so adequate protection from the sun should go
hand-in-hand with any skin lightening treatment and a high factor sun screen (at least SPF 15) should be
worn daily, particularly on the face.
In the United States, Hydroquinone based creams are the most popular topical treatments for hyperpigmentation and hydroquinone based skin lightening creams are readily available over the counter or
by prescription. In Europe, South Africa and throughout most of Asia, it is illegal to sell hydroquinone
based products but there are many other effective alternatives available. The suspected risks associated
with hydroquinone have led to an increase in demand of alternative skin lightening treatments for
hyper- pigmentation and uneven skin tone. Active ingredients in alternative skin lightening treatments
include kojic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and natural ingredients such as lemon juice, Vitamin E,
Vitamin C and extracts from Liquorice and Bearberry.
Whatever the cause, hyper-pigmentation can be distressing, especially when the dark patches appear on
the face and the desire for a smooth and even complexion is strong for people of all skin tones. HyperPigmentation will fade on its own, over several months or years but safe and effective skin lightening
treatments can significantly speed up the process of obtaining a healthy and even complexion.
Hyper-pigmentation, a common skin disorder that results in dark spots or patches on the face or body, is
caused by too much melanin in the skin. And while it’s usually harmless, it can make you self-conscious
about your looks.
Or
Hyper-pigmentation is defined as excess pigmentation in a bodily part or tissue, including the skin.
How you treat your hyper-pigmentation is based on its cause, your aesthetic goals and your skin type.
Melanin
Melanin is the chemical that determines the color of skin. The more melanin there is in a person's skin,
the darker that person's skin will be. Sometimes the cells that contain melanin are damaged or over
stimulated. When this happens, the affected cells may begin to produce too much, or too little melanin.
Too much melanin causes darker spots or patches, while too little causes lighter spots or patches. These
lighter or darker spots appear on the surface of the skin, and can be unsightly. Unfortunately, these skin
color problems are much more visible and common in people with skin of color.
There are many different conditions that can cause discoloration, but the most common are PostInflammatory Hyper pigmentation and Melasma.
Post-Inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation (PIH) causes skin darkening and discoloration that show up as
spots, or as large patches. This is because cells that normally produce brown pigment evenly across
your skin go into overdrive and produce too much melanin. This happens because of an inflammatory
reaction in, or to an injury to, the skin. If the excess melanin is produced in the upper layer of skin
(epidermis), the pigmentation color is a darker shade of brown. If the excess melanin is produced in the
lower layer of skin (the dermis), a gray or blue discoloration becomes visible. Although PIH can occur in
all skin types, it is more common in people of Africa, Asia, Latin, and indigenous Indian background, and
can affect men and women equally.
African American skin contains more melanin due to the large melanosomes, therefore African
American skin is most protected from skin conditions such as wrinkling and skin cancer. However, a
slight would or irritation will cause the skin to darken and takes months and even years to fade.
Taking care of your skin is the first step towards your beauty care. So, your skin needs regular care to
rejuvenate, tighten your skin and for removing wastes of make up, impurities and dead and dull cells of
skin.
A brief understanding of the structure of the skin will be beneficial so that you are better able to take
care of your skin.
Our skin is not just a simple flat sheet, it consists of several layers. Although the topmost layer is
incredibly thin, about one to two tenths of a millimeter, it is actually pretty tough. In fact, it’s one of the
most fascinating creations of nature.
The outer-most layer of the skin is called the epidermis, made by multiple layers of small brick-like units
called cells. New skin cells are produced in the innermost layer and the old one will be pushed upward
by them. As the cells move upward, they age till they reached the surface, when they die and are shed
off. This cycle is continuous and varies from two to three weeks in youngsters to four to eight weeks in
older people.
The epidermis consists ‘melanocytes’ the color factories of your skin. Skin’s color comes from a pigment
called melanin, which is made by melanocytes. They are also found in hair roots. The size and type of
melanin granules as well as their location and distribution varies in each individual. This results in the
tremendous variations in skin color.
The dermis is the skin’s thicker under – layer. It is a dense layer rich with an intricate network of blood
vessels as well as nerves, consists mostly of strong protein fibers called collagen and stretchy fibers
called elastin. Collagen gives the skin its strength, fullness, and suppleness. It also helps repair injured
skin by building scar tissue. Elastin consists of elastic fibers that give skin its flexibility, enabling it to
stretch and contract repeatedly as you move. The dermis also has the sweat glands, oil or sebaceous
glands as well as hair roots. Hair roots are anchored deep within the dermis.
Tea tree oil is mostly used to fighting against viruses and also as an anti bacterial agent. It is crucial oil
that acts as a natural medicine possessing antibacterial antiseptic agents that have been used for
thousands of years by the aborigine tribes. Recent research has shown that Tea Tree Oil has amazing
health benefits when used as a natural curative. With the odor that is much like nutmeg, it is light
yellow oil that is the product of steamed tea tree leaves. The oil is extracted from the steamed leaves
and then used in multiple kinds of natural treatments.
This oil is now becoming an essential part of the makeup box of women. The use of Tea Tree natural Oil
is extremely useful first aid medication and against numerous skin disease, infections, cuts, scrapes,
burns, insect bites and skin spots. This is effective against nail fungus, ringworm, athlete’s foot,
dandruff, acne, blackheads and many types of infestations including lice, mites, scabies and mosquitoes
for humans and animals alike.
Tea Tree Oil is not just soothing and disinfecting; it is capable of penetrating into the lower skin layers
with its anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, pain-killing and wound-healing qualities.
Some time overuse of tea tree oil may cause the dry skin, cutting, or burning.
There are five basic skin care types: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is
determined by how much or how little, oil your skin produces.
Genes, diet, stress level, medication and even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your
skin produces.
• Type 1: Oily
Oily skin tends to shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to blackheads and blemishes. You might
experience some tightness.
• Type 2: Combination/normal
Tthis skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend
toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone.
• Type 3: Sensitive
Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is
frequently allergic and can be rashy.
• Type 4: Dry
Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. You have a tendency towards fine wrinkles, flaking and
red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.
•Type 5: Aging or Sun-Damaged
This skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone, especially around the cheeks and jaw-line
with leathery texture and broken capillaries.
4 Essential skin care notes.
1. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it.
2 . Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But if you start properly
exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. There are several ways to exfoliate
skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.
3. Moisturizers seal moisture into skin
4. Apply Sunscreen. The number one cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use
sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days.
Treatments for Hyper-Pigmentation.
Treatments:
4% Hydroquinone Products
Retinoids
Azelaic acid
Glycolic acid
Chemical Peels
Microdermabrasion
Cocoa Butter
Aloe Vera
And prescription varieties
Peels work by exfoliating the upper-most layer of your skin and the dark area with it. There are many
different types of peels and they are usually solutions that the dermatologist applies to the skin. The
peels that are used most often to treat PIH in brown skin are the alpha-hydroxyl acid (glycolic acid) or
beta-hydroxyl acid (salicylic acid) peels. As with chemical peels, microdermabrasion works by exfoliating
the upper-most layer of your skin and the dark area with it. This procedure is particularly well suited for
individuals who have sensitive skin (many individuals with brown skin) or those who have had a previous
reaction to a chemical peeling agent.
Chemical peels are popular cosmetic treatments that help to even the skin tone, texture and reduce
wrinkles and fine lines. As African American skin is more prone to hyper pigmentation than other skin
types, many African Americans look to chemical peels as an option to quickly even the skin tone. Not all
cosmetic procedures that suit Caucasian skin types will suit other skin types so you may be wondering
about chemical peels for African American skin. There are several different types of chemical peel
available and some are definitely not recommended for African American skin. Whether you perform
the peel at your dermatologist’s office or at home, there are different types of chemical peels for African
American skin.
There are superficial peels, medium surface peels and deep chemical peels available. Phenol peels are
the deepest kind of peel that there is available and are definitely not recommended for black skin as
there is a risk of severe damage. Phenol peels are used to treat scars, deep wrinkles or severely sundamaged skin and can only be carried out once in a person’s lifetime. A phenol peel cannot be carried
out at home and the patient is usually under general anesthetic while the peel is applied.
TCA or trichloroethanoic acid is a medium surface peel and should not be carried out at home on African
American skin. TCA is excellent for fading dark marks, evening the skin tone and lightening the skin but
should really be carried out by a licensed professional. Ensure your dermatologist is experienced in
carrying out TCA peels on dark skin before making an appointment.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)
TCA is even stronger than glycolic and salicylic acid and extra care should be taken here. When using
concentrations over 35%, scarring and discoloration is very possible! Concentrations of 30% and below
are safe for home use but anything above this should be reserved for the dermatologist’s office. If
you’ve never done a TCA peel before, it is recommended that you start with a low concentration like
10%.
Superficial peels are by far the safest but they are also effective at dealing with skin discolorations.
Salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid can all be used for superficial peels. Lactic acid is the mildest of
the three but it can be used weekly or every two weeks depending on the concentration of the acid
used. Lactic acid is effective for fading acne scars and other minor hyper pigmentation problems.
Salicylic acid is usually used for treating acne more than for hyper pigmentation. Salicylic acid is often
found in face washes and moisturizers that are used to treat pimples or acne problems.
Salicylic Acid
Many facial washes and creams targeted to treat acne and fade dark marks contain 2% salicylic acid to
exfoliate the skin without any visible peeling. For at home salicylic acid peels, concentrations of about
20% are common.
Glycolic acid is the strongest of the superficial peels and is effective at treating mild hyper pigmentation
on African American skin.
Glycolic Acid
At a dermatologist’s office, glycolic acid peels of up to 50% concentration can be used but this is
definitely not safe to do at home. Most over the counter products containing glycolic acid limit the
concentrations at 10% but any weaker than that won’t do much for your skin as a chemical peel so for
home solutions, generally concentrations of about 20% are used. For moisturizers and daily facial
products, a concentration of up to 10% is fine.
It is important to remember as effective as these peels are for treating hyper pigmentation, they are
acids and carelessness can damage your skin. When carrying out chemical peels for African American
skin, be sure to follow the instructions very carefully if you decide to do it at a spa, doctor’s office or at
home.
Acids used for chemical peels can be diluted with distilled water to achieve the concentration you
require. With any at home chemical peel, always carry out a patch test on a small area of skin with your
chosen concentration. If the effects are too harsh, you will want to reduce the concentration and do
another patch test until you are happy.