Do you have patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding areas? If so, you have skin pigmentation or hyperpigmentation. Pigmentation is also referred to as dark spots and usually appears on the face, neck, and hands and other body parts frequently exposed to the sun.
What is pigmentation?
Pigmentation (also known as hyperpigmentation) occurs when there is an increase of melanin or color pigment in the skin. It appears as flat and darkened spots that vary in size, shape, and color. Hyperpigmentation can affect both men and women of all ages and skin color.
Those with darker skin tones, however, are more prone to hyperpigmentation changes than people with lighter skin tone. This is because pigmentation is much stronger in dark skin, particularly with excess sun exposure.
Pigmentation is a common condition that is usually harmless. It also takes in different forms and types, such as:
What causes pigmentation?
An increase in melanin production is the primary cause of hyperpigmentation. Melanin refers to the natural pigment that gives the skin, hair, and eyes their color. There are a number of factors that can trigger increased melanin production. These include:
How can we help?
Pigmentation can make your skin look uneven, dull, and tired. We at Cutis Laser Clinics are here to help. We provide a number of medical aesthetic treatments that can fade or lighten your dark spots. We have non-invasive skin procedures that can reduce or eliminate different types of pigmentation such as age spots, freckles, melasma, and PIH.
Your individualized treatment plan, depending on various factors such as your acceptable social downtime, your expected time frame and budget, will be explained in detail during your consultation with our Harvard trained Medical Director, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez.