Hyperpigmentation is not harmful but can be an indicator of the existence of other medical conditions. It is mainly seen amongst the women suffering from estrogen and progesterone hormone imbalances. Hyperpigmentation are of several types, and are often linked to those who suffer with infertility.
While skin pigmentation as such does not cause any harm, it is very important to identify the underlying causes for the pigmentation. Hormones and its imbalance have a direct impact on the skin. Skin pigmentation due to hormonal imbalance is very common among women. One major culprit behind breakouts is due to having a hormonal imbalance. Hormonal acne is a force to be reckoned with, and can treatment takes time, consistency and patience. Another common skin condition driven by hormones is hyperpigmentation.
Fluctuations in hormones can lead to hyperpigmentation or melasma. Estrogen and progesterone, the female sex hormones, stimulate the overproduction of melanin which leads to dark spots. Dark spots due to hormonal fluctuations are more prevalent in darker skin tones—the skin is already creating melanin, which is what gives it a darker color, and when hormones trigger an increase in this melanin production, you’re more susceptible to hyperpigmentation.
How to treat it
For those whose spots remain, it can be really hard to treat, as is the case with other forms of hyperpigmentation. You need to be gentle enough to ensure that you don’t irritate or inflame the skin to the point where you are causing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The best way to go about it is allowing for slow, gradual change, using brightening skin-care products such as vitamin C.
If you’re dealing with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, on the other hand, can be more tricky, When acne heals, it often leave behind “stains” in the skin which, despite not being true scars, can be long-lasting and have a significant psycho social effect. In fairer complexions, when pimples heal, the skin may be left with a red spot. This is known as persistent erythema. In these cases, the fire is out, but there still are glowing embers in the skin. The best way to treat these red spots is to continue treating the face with your acne treatment.
Inflammation
For darker complexions, inflammation can rev up activity of your pigment producing cells leading to dark spots that remain even after the pimple goes away. The spots, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, do fade on their own but it can take several months. Hyperpigmentation may benefit from some measures used to treat scarring. It’s important to realise that since inflammation is a trigger for Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) , we have to be cautious with over-treating the areas of hyperpigmentation. Many treatments will improve and lighten the hyperpigmentation, but often the patients will have to use some form of treatment for many years.
Protect your skin
It is important to protect your skin from the sun and seek shade, wear protective clothing and hats, and be meticulous about using a good sunscreen every day and re-applying when outdoors every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. Your maintenance treatment is just as important as your initial treatment. Fine-tune your personalised treatment game plan with an experienced physician or skin therapist who can offer you a comprehensive routine to target and treat hyperpigmentation as well as other skin concerns.
