Why Hyperpigmentation Occurs & How to Treat It
Wondering why dark spots keep appearing on your skin? It might feel like these skin patches pop-up overnight and won’t go away despite your best efforts. If you’re tired of dealing with hyperpigmentation, you’re not alone!
At CAPS, we understand how frustrating it can be to see your skin worsen over time without understanding the reason or how to treat it. Our skin experts are equipped to share what you need to know about hyperpigmentation and how our effective treatment options can improve the appearance of your skin so you can get back to looking and feeling your best.
What Is Hyperpigmentation and How Do You Identify It?
Hyperpigmentation is a medical term used to describe dark patches or spots on the skin. It’s a common condition where an increase in melanin causes skin to appear brown, black, gray or pink. These patches typically appear on specific areas of the body, such as your hands or face, but can also be found anywhere on the body and cover wide areas. In most cases, it’s not life-threatening or contagious but can be frustrating if you don’t like their appearance. If you notice a dark spot rising or changing in appearance, please seek a professional opinion.
What Are The Most Common Types of Hyperpigmentation?
The different types of hyperpigmentation vary from person to person but the most common types are melasma, age spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Melasma: The most common form of hyperpigmentation that usually appears on the face. Typically found in women due to hormonal changes, melasma tends to get better with age.
Age spots: Also known as sun spots, this form of hyperpigmentation is most common in people over the age of 40 but can occur earlier. These spots are a result of excessive sun exposure and are commonly found on the face, shoulders, forearms and hands.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Individuals with darker skin are typically more prone to this form of hyperpigmentation than lighter, more sun-sensitive skin. It forms as a result of injury to the skin such as acne or eczema.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is very common in adults and can affect people of any race or ethnicity. It can be caused for a variety of reasons including:
Sun exposure
Reactions to medical conditions
Medications that cause a sensitivity to light (such as birth control)
Hormonal changes (especially during puberty or pregnancy)
Adrenal disorders (such as Addison’s disease)
Thyroid disorders
Melasma
Genetics (especially in families with freckles)
Lack of vitamins (including B12 and folic acid)
When hyperpigmentation first appears, it’s important to meet with a skin expert or dermatologist for a definitive diagnosis. These symptoms can be caused by other skin conditions that may require treatment, which is why early diagnosis is vital to your skin's long-term health.
How To Get Rid Of Hyperpigmentation
There are a variety of treatment options available based on your unique needs and goals. These treatments seek to decrease the production of pigment and remove any areas of excess pigmentation that already appears on the skin. At CAPS we are proud to offer some of the most safe and effective hyperpigmentation treatments through our board-certified dermatologist, Laser Center and MedSpa including:
BBL Broadband Light: This innovative technology targets sun and age spots on a variety of areas including but not limited to the face, neck, chest, shoulders and the back of hands. By using broad-spectrum photothermal energy, the upper layers of your skin absorb heat and energy to destroy pigmented skin cells. The particles of any remaining brown pigment will peel off within 7-14 days. The energy and heat will also simultaneously generate new cells and boost collagen production to heal the skin and increase firmness. BBL Broadband Light patients often find that their skin is restored to its natural beauty with a smoother and more vibrant appearance.
MicroLaserPeel: Using advanced erbium laser technology, this treatment safely and precisely removes the outer layer of the skin, replacing the dead skin cells with new, healthy cells and a boost of collagen to improve the texture and appearance of your skin. Each treatment takes 30-40 minutes to complete and patients start to notice results within 3-5 days. The number of treatments needed will vary from patient to patient, but 1-3 treatments are typically needed.
Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser: The world’s only Hybrid Fractional Laser that delivers a non-ablative and ablative wavelength to address multiple levels of skin concerns at the same time. By removing the top layer of unwanted skin while heating underlying skin tissue to produce new collagen, HALO can be used on all skin types and is most often used on the face, neck, chest, arms, legs and hands. Patients will see remarkable results after just one treatment and can resume normal activity within 24 hours after the treatment.
Chemical Peel: An acidic solution is applied to the skin to remove damaged top layers, speed up cell turnover and boost collagen growth for a brighter and more even complexion. At CAPS, we offer effective chemical peels approved for all skin types from top brands such as SkinMedica®, VI Peel, and Obagi®. The type of chemical peel used will depend on your skin concerns and goals. Milder chemical peels contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) like glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids. For deeper peeling action, we offer trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels.
Microneedling: Known as one of the most inexpensive yet effective treatment options for hyperpigmentation, Microneedling uses the power of your body’s natural healing abilities to regenerate skin cells. These safe treatment sessions are less than an hour long with little to no recovery time.
Schedule A Free Consultation To Explore Solutions For Hyperpigmentation Today!
If you’re tired of dealing with hyperpigmentation and want a brighter, more evenly toned complexion, join us at CAPS to find the right solution for you. To discuss your options with one of our skin experts, schedule a free hyperpigmentation consultation today!