The causes of hyperpigmentation can be quite difficult and complicated to understand; although one common misconception is that it is mostly found amongst women, this simply is not true – it is a condition that can affect both men and women, and is often a chronic condition in those affected.
At The Laser Treatment Clinic, treating hyperpigmentation is one of the most popular treatments that we undertake daily, and with friendly, and sympathetic skincare specialists, we take in to consideration each of our client’s individual circumstances, to work together to ultimately reach a point where the problem has been resolved.
Sun Exposure
This is one that we have discussed frequently, and most recently in our “How To Manage Pigmentation In Summer” article. Sun exposure is one of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation in the skin. The sun’s rays cause an increase of melanin in the skin, and whilst this can give you that “healthy glow” that many people seek out during the warmer months, it can also cause unwanted, uneven darker patches of the skin to appear. It’s important to look after the skin in the summer months, and protect your skin from the harmful UV rays by using a good quality sunscreen with a high SPF.
Pregnancy
Another common cause of hyperpigmentation is pregnancy, as an imbalance of hormones can lead to an overproduction of melanin and darker patches forming across the face and body; however, typically this type of pigmentation will fade a few months after birth. In some cases, it may linger and will need treatment to remove.
Certain Medications
Certain medications, including hormonal treatments like the oral contraceptive pill, as well as others such as recently introduced targeted therapies for cancer, scented deodorants, toiletries and cosmetics can cause a phototoxic reaction that may trigger pigmentation in the skin.
Hypothyroidism
Sometimes known as an ‘underactive thyroid’, hypothyroidism is a relatively unknown cause of pigmentation in the skin; as the low levels of circulating thyroid hormone can cause the melanin in the skin to react and create darker patches.
These are just a few of the causes of hyperpigmentation if you are struggling to manage your pigmentation problems, contact The Laser Treatment Clinic and the Skin Experts will be able to help you today.
