Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition affecting many people, regardless of age, sex or skin type.
Although medically harmless, it can affect self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Fortunately, effective aesthetic solutions exist to restore even skin tone.
Personalized assessment
To determine the most appropriate treatment, an initial consultation is recommended.
The aim is to analyze your needs and draw up a customized treatment plan.
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is characterized by the appearance of darker areas on the skin, due to excessive melanin production.
Melanin is the pigment responsible for the natural color of skin, hair and eyes.
Subjected to certain factors, we may produce too much melanin, creating pigmentation spots or irregular areas.
This phenomenon can appear on various parts of the body, and particularly on the face, hands and décolleté.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
Identifying the causes of hyperpigmentation is essential to choosing the most appropriate treatment.
Here are the most common factors:
The sun is the main cause of hyperpigmentation.
UV rays stimulate melanin production to protect the skin from damage. This excessive production can lead to dark spots, known as solar lentigos or age spots.
Hormonal changes, particularly in women, can cause hyperpigmentation called melasma.
This phenomenon is common during pregnancy (pregnancy mask) or when using hormonal contraceptives.
After inflammation or injury to the skin (acne, cuts, burns), the skin can react by producing more melanin, resulting in dark spots.
With age, skin becomes more prone to pigment irregularities, often caused by the accumulation of sun damage over the years.
Certain skin types, especially darker ones, are more likely to develop hyperpigmentation due to a greater amount of melanin.
Environmental factors, such as pollution, can also play a role in aggravating pigment imbalances.
This phenomenon can be due to a number of factors, and can be amplified accordingly.
Different types of pigment spots
- Melasma
Melasma is often linked to hormonal changes.
Presenting as brownish or grayish spots, it generally appears on the face (forehead, cheeks, chin).
Although more common in women, men can also suffer.
- Solar lentigos
These brown spots, also known as age spots, are directly linked to prolonged exposure to the sun.
They appear mainly on the most exposed areas, such as the hands, face and shoulders.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
It occurs after an injury or inflammation of the skin, such as acne, a cut or an allergic reaction. These spots may disappear over time, but are sometimes persistent.
How is hyperpigmentation treated?
Hyperpigmentation can be improved with appropriate, non-invasive care.
