Hyperpigmentation is characterised by the increase production and accumulation of melanin, which causes a darkened appearance to the skin in either small or large areas. Three common types of hyperpigmentation are photodamage, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. ⠀
Causes
UV exposure
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Exposure to UV rays increases melanogenesis. The purpose of melanin is to protect underlying tissues from harmful UV rays by absorbing nearly all the UV energy and transforming it into harmless amounts of heat energy in order to prevent DNA damage. ⠀
Hormones
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Melasma or Chloasma appears on pregnant women, who have a genetic disposition to over producing melanin when they are expecting, often these marks disappear but in some cases they remain permanently. It appears as a mask on the face and sometimes on the belly, where it shows up in a vertical line that is known as “line nigra”. Hormonal birth control can also cause melasma.⠀
Post-Inflammatory hyperpigmentation
PIH appears as a result of trauma to the skin such as a burn, acne or from picking spots⠀
Basically it is an overproduction of melanin following inflammation, cytokines and inflammatory mediators have a stimulatory effect on melanocytes, which leads to an increase in melanin production. Capillary flow becomes restricted preventing antioxidants from being delivered to the skin It is a vicious cycle, because a deficiency in antioxidants and protective enzymes result in an increase in melanin production. Tomorrow’s post – how to prevent, improve and eliminate hyperpigmentation.⠀