You want the perfect complexion, but it’s frustrating to have all kinds of pigmentation that make your complexion uneven.

Hyperpigmentation, or the appearance of dull skin in spots or patches in the skin, is caused by overproduction of melanin – the natural pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes color. There are many factors that can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age, and skin damage or inflammation.

The most common manifestations of hyperpigmentation are:

chloasma

sun spot

post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

In the United States alone, chloasma affects more than 5 million people. A common cause for it has not to be found yet; however, most doctors believe it may be due to abnormal functioning of the melanocytes (chromophores) in the skin, resulting in excessive color production. Therefore, people with darker skin and more melanocytes are more likely to develop the disease. Other potential triggers include sun exposure, skincare products that irritate the skin, and hormonal changes from hormone therapy, birth control pills, or pregnancy (chloasma). Depending on the nature of chloasma, it can be treated with a combination of chemical peels (such as Enlighten Depigmentation Treatment or VI Peel) or a fractional CO2 laser.

Sun spots, also known as freckles or age spots/liver spots, are caused by overactive pigment cells and worsen from exposure to UV light. These spots can affect people of all skin types, but are more common in adults with lighter skin. Unlike freckles, age spots do not fade. The best way to prevent age spots from forming is to consistently use an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen throughout the year and keep it out of direct sunlight. Once the spots have formed, the most effective treatment is Picosecond. Picosecond’s breakthrough technology directs energy to the spot, shattering the pigment over time for natural metabolic elimination.

Another very common form of hyperpigmentation occurs after skin damage or irritation. It’s called PIH, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and causes the skin involved to turn tan, brown, or purple. PIH is especially common in people with pigmented skin, but it does occur in all skin types and is usually caused by acne, insect bites, psoriasis, and more.