Skin pigmentation disorders are often referred to as hyperpigmentation. They include conditions such as vitiligo and albinism – hyperpigmentation is often referred to as sun spots, liver spots or age spots.
In this blog, we’ll run through everything you need to know about hyperpigmentation, answering some of the most commonly asked questions.
We’ll also touch on some of the treatments that are available should you want to remove your hyperpigmentation. Let’s jump right in!
Skin hyperpigmentation is a common condition characterised by the darkening of certain areas of the skin. This occurs when an excess of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour, forms deposits in the skin. Melanin is a perfectly natural component of our skin. Hyperpigmentation is the formation of darker areas that are noticeably different to your normal skin tone.
While hyperpigmentation is a fairly common occurrence, you should pay attention to significant changes in your skin tone.
Hyperpigmentation can affect people of all skin types, but it is more prevalent in individuals with darker skin tones. While it is usually harmless, it can sometimes indicate an underlying health condition – you should contact your doctor if you’re concerned.
There are a variety of factors that can cause hyperpigmentation, including:
More often than not, hyperpigmentation is benign and purely aesthetic. The best way to avoid hyperpigmentation is using sun cream and wearing protective clothing in the sun (don’t forget your hat!).
The treatment approach and appearance vary significantly across these types, with epidermal pigmentation often responding more readily to surface treatments, while dermal pigmentation may require more targeted therapies.
If you’re noticing areas of unwanted hyperpigmentation, there are ways you can mitigate against it.
Topical products, chemical peels, energy-based devices (such as intense pulsed light (IPL) and lasers), and cryotherapy are all effective methods for removing skin hyperpigmentation. Each treatment targets pigmentation in specific ways, making them suitable for different types and severities of skin pigmentation.
We recommend discussing your hyperpigmentation with your GP, or talking with a local, reputable skin specialist.
Superficial skin pigmentation may fade over time, but this varies depending on skin tone and a variety of other factors.
Other forms of hyperpigmentation can be more permanent without professional intervention.
Factors that affect whether your hyperpigmentation goes away naturally are:
A holistic treatment strategy is generally the most effective against hyperpigmentation. This begins with diligent sun protection to prevent further pigment darkening.
Implementing a topical skincare regime to prepare the skin is a critical next step. However, if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already caught the sun, or your hyperpigmentation is caused by something different. So, if you want to quickly fade your hyperpigmentation…
Rapid treatment of hyperpigmentation is challenging; a thorough diagnosis is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. The type of pigmentation significantly influences the recommended treatment – it’s really important that you discuss your pigmentation with a skin doctor.
Many professional aesthetic clinics will use to fade hyperpigmentation quickly, taking between 3 and 4 weeks for fading to begin.
While there are many options for treatment, we highly recommend choosing a local clinic that uses Cynosure Lutronic devices – the safest, quickest devices for treating many types of skin hyperpigmentation.
You can find your local Cynosure Lutronic clinic by clicking the link below:
Learn more about laser treatment for pigmentation in our laser FAQs post.
Ready to find your beautiful? Get started by locating a Cynosure provider near you.