Everything you need to know about hyperpigmentation: symptoms, causes, treatments
Do you suffer from hyperpigmentation? Find out about the types of hyperpigmentation, the different causes and the treatments available to even out your complexion.
Hyperpigmentation of the skin is due to the excessive production of melanin. Discover the causes and effective treatments to limit the appearance of brown spots on your skin.
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a darkening of the skin most often caused by the abnormally high production of melanin. Melanin is a natural dark brown pigment responsible for a person's skin colour. It plays an essential role in protecting the skin against ultraviolet rays. When melanin production becomes abnormal, skin pigmentation becomes uneven from one area to another and brown spots appear on the body and/or face.
What types of hyperpigmentation are there?
Hyperpigmentation is the appearance of brown spots of different shapes and sizes on the skin. There are different types of hyperpigmentation linked to multiple causes. Many internal and external factors can explain the onset of hyperpigmentation.
Focal or localised hyperpigmentation
Focal hyperpigmentation, also known as localised hyperpigmentation, is post-inflammatory in nature and can occur after a lesion, a burn, or other cases of inflammation such as acne, contact eczema or atopic dermatitis.
It appears as a spot with blurred, irregular contours, most often visible in the armpits and on the back of the neck.
Diffuse or extensive hyperpigmentation
Diffuse hyperpigmentation, also known as extensive hyperpigmentation, results from drugs and heavy metals, internal illnesses or hormonal changes. Areas of hyperpigmentation can appear on any part of the body but mainly on the torso, stomach and face. The spots are symmetrical with an irregular outline but well-defined boundaries.
Plusieurs causes sont à l’origine de l’hyperpigmentation focale :
The term lentiginosis refers to freckles, flat oval macules of beige to brown colour. Often caused by chronic sun exposure, they are not linked to liver dysfunction. They appear mainly on the backs of the hands and the face.
In rare cases, non-sun freckles may be associated with systemic disorders.
Senile lentigines, commonly known as age spots, are flat, light or dark brown, oval-shaped patches of skin. Very common, they are often linked to excessive exposure to the sun and appear in the form of spots on the most exposed areas, such as the hands and face.
Solar lentigines increase in number with age. They are not cancerous, but people with lentigines have a higher risk of melanoma.
Lentigines of non-solar origin may be linked to certain rare hereditary disorders.
Melasma is caused by hormonal changes and develops mainly in women during pregnancy or when taking oral contraceptives. It usually appears on the face as brown hyper-pigmented spots with irregular edges. It resolves slowly after childbirth or the cessation of hormone treatment.
If melasma occurs in men, it very rarely disappears.
Sun exposure increases the risk of developing melasma.
Other causes, such as skin lesions, skin inflammation, reactions to the sun and skin growths (moles, melanomas) can cause localised hyperpigmentation.
What are the common causes of widespread hyperpigmentation?
Extensive hyperpigmentation can be caused by :
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can affect melanin production and cause it to increase, resulting in darker skin. This is the case during pregnancy or when using hormonal contraception.
Medicines
Medicines and heavy metals can also cause hyperpigmentation. Affected areas are often widespread over the body. These reactions diminish once the triggering drug is stopped.
Cancers and other systemic diseases
Diffuse hyperpigmentation may be caused by systemic causes or cancer, particularly lung cancer. The most common systemic diseases are Addison's disease, haemochromatosis and primary biliary cirrhosis.
The main risk factors for hyperpigmentation aresun exposure and inflammation. These two factors are responsible for the increase in melanin production and therefore hyperpigmentation.
Other factors can also cause hyperpigmentation:
- Use of oral contraceptives
- Pregnancy
- Dark skin tone
- Taking medication that increases sensitivity to sunlight
- Burns/skin lesions
How is hyperpigmentation diagnosed?
Pour diagnostiquer l’hyperpigmentation, un examen physique réalisé par un dermatologue sera nécessaire. En plus de l’analyse de vos antécédents médicaux et de l’examen médical, une biopsie pourra être réalisée pour préciser la cause de l’hyperpigmentation.
Some cases of hyperpigmentation can be treated with topical medication prescribed by your dermatologist.
These topical treatments are applied to the skin and generally containhydroquinone or topical retinoids, which are known to lighten dark spots on the skin.
However, long-term use of these treatments can lead to darkening of the skin. It is therefore essential to consult your dermatologist and not to self-medicate.
It takes a few months for these topical treatments to take effect and lighten the dark areas of your skin.
Another effective treatment against the appearance of hyperpigmentation is theregular use of sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen with a protection factor of between 30 and 50 and broad-spectrum coverage. Sunscreen should be applied every day and reapplied every two hours in the case of sun exposure.
In the case of melasma, opt for a mineral sunscreen containing iron oxide, which can block some of the light in the visible spectrum. Also opt for anti-UV clothing that protects against the sun (SPF).
Finally, laser treatments can be prescribed to reduce the symptoms of hyperpigmentation, depending on the cause.
Comment prévenir l’hyperpigmentation ?
Pour lutter contre l’hyperpigmentation, il est nécessaire de protéger votre peau au maximum contre le soleil :
- Utilisez une crème solaire (SPF 30 minimum) au quotidien, même pour des courtes expositions au soleil.
- Protégez-vous du soleil grâce à un chapeauHow can hyperpigmentation be prevented?
To combat hyperpigmentation, you need to protect your skin as much as possible from the sun:
- Use a sun cream (SPF 30 minimum) every day, even for short exposures to the sun.
- Protect yourself from the sun with a hat or cap to block the sun's rays.
- Avoid exposure between 10am and 4pm, when the sun's rays are strongest
- Avoid medicines known to cause hyperpigmentation
The Bioderma Pigment bio range is particularly suitable for protecting your skin and combating hyperpigmentation. Discover our serum, day care and night care developed for hyperpigmented skin, brown spots and sun spots.
You'll also find a complete range of very high protection sun care products to prevent cell damage and activate your skin's natural defences.
ou une casquette qui bloquent les rayons du soleil
- Evitez de vous exposer entre 10h et 16h, période où les rayons du soleil sont les plus forts
- Evitez les médicaments reconnus comme responsables de l’hyperpigmentation
La gamme Pigment bio Bioderma est particulièrement adaptée pour protéger votre peau et lutter contre l’hyperpigmentation. Découvrez notre sérum, soin de jour et soin de nuit développés pour les peaux hyper pigmentées, les taches brunes et les taches de soleil.
Retrouvez également une gamme complète de soins solaires très haute protection pour prévenir les dommages cellulaires et activer les défenses naturelles de votre peau.