The skin is a large organ covering the entire body that serves as our protective barrier from the external environment. So, it is inevitably the most visible organ! And something as obvious as hyperpigmentation would be a concern, especially in areas like the face and neck. 

Each skin is unique, and some people are even troubled with hyperpigmentation. So, can hyperpigmentation be treated? Let us find out in this article. 

What is Hyperpigmentation? 

One of the components found on the skin is melanin. Have you ever thought about why you get darker after a trip to the beach? Your melanin production is activated whenever your skin absorbs UV radiation from the sun. So, the more sunlight exposure you have, the darker your skin becomes due to an increase in melanin production. 

However, hyperpigmentation works a bit differently. Hyperpigmentation is a medical term for darker patches on certain parts of the skin. This is a common condition where extra melanin is produced on specific areas of the skin only, leading to brown, black, or grey spots. 

Even though hyperpigmentation is not itchy or painful, many people find it an aesthetic problem and often seek ways to get rid of it. 

Possible Causes of Hyperpigmentation 

Before moving on to removal of your hyperpigmentation, you need to know first what kind of skin problem you are dealing with. From here, you can find the most effective treatment option! 

What are some of the possible causes of hyperpigmentation? 

1. Inflammation 

Skin inflammation can result from acne, insect bites, scrapes, and eczema. In cases like this, the itch and discomfort lead to constant scratching on the area that fires up inflammation under the skin. 

Another trigger of pigment production under the skin is inflammation. After some time, that inflamed area can develop a dark spot even after your skin issue resolves.  

This kind of hyperpigmentation is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

2. Medication-related hyperpigmentation or other medical issues 

Some medications can also boost the melanin production of the skin. This includes some antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antimalarials. Use of these will not immediately translate to skin hyperpigmentation. Instead, they may increase the risk of developing it. 

Chemotherapy drugs can also cause dark spots. However, these may resolve after treatment as new skin cells will improve the appearance of the skin. 

Aside from these medications, medical issues can also lead to dark spots. Hyperpigmentation is an expected outcome for people diagnosed with Addison’s disease. This is a disease where the adrenal gland induces a lot more melanin production! 

3. Sunlight 

Sunlight exposure is the most widely accepted theory on developing hyperpigmentation. Melanin production is increased after exposure to the sun’s rays. In a way, this is a defensive mechanism that prevents development of permanent skin damage 

Increasing melanin can make the skin appear darker, but this helps protect the body from too much damage from the sun. However, too many of these can make dark spots more noticeable and more difficult to get rid of. 

4. Hormones and pregnancy 

Lastly, a common cause of hyperpigmentation is hormonal fluctuation and pregnancy. Brown patches commonly appear on the skin when hormone levels undergo massive changes. 

This type of hyperpigmentation is a lot more common in women, but men are not spared from developing it. Furthermore, hyperpigmentation from hormone fluctuation is usually triggered when combined with UV ray exposure and genetic predisposition. 

Diagnoses for Different Hyperpigmentation 

Can hyperpigmentation be treated? Given the medical breakthroughs in our modern time, of course, some options are proven to alleviate these aesthetic concerns. 

A common mistake for people seeking treatment for their hyperpigmentation is to overlook the accurate diagnosis for their case. Keep in mind that different conditions need different treatments! 

Melasma 

The most common diagnosis for hyperpigmentation on the face and neck, especially without any associated itch or burning feeling, is melasma. This patchy hyperpigmentation is common among women due to hormonal fluctuations, paired with massive UV ray exposure and genetic predisposition. 

Since the Philippines is a tropical country near the equator, people living here are bombarded with massive amounts of UV radiation. The risk of developing melasma is quite high for people residing here. Plus, having a family member with melasma increases your risk of developing it yourself! 

Melasma is commonly seen in darker skin tones as symmetrical brown or greyish patches. Common origins of melasma include overproduction of melanin caused by sunlight exposure. 

Moreover, melasma is more commonly developed during adulthood around the face, jaw, and neck. 

Freckles 

Freckles are a kind of hereditary skin hyperpigmentation. Spots appear brown, red, or yellow around the cheeks or under the eye area. Similar to vitiligo, freckles can also appear as early as childhood. 

Melasma: Diagnosis and Treatment Options 

Dermatologists use special tools to diagnose melasma. They may use a dermatoscope or a Wood’s lamp to be sure whether your hyperpigmentation is indeed melasma. Sometimes, these professionals may even suggest a skin biopsy when the diagnosis is unclear. 

In contrast to other types of hyperpigmentation, melasma has a vast array of treatment options ranging from topical products to orally taken medications. 

After confirming that you have melasma with a medical professional, you can look into the following options: 

1. Minimizing sun exposure 

If UV rays induce more melanin to develop under the skin, then, minimizing your sun exposure will help prevent the development of darker hyperpigmentation. 

Indeed, you may want to reduce direct sunlight exposure! Avoid the intense heat of the sun during the daytime. You can also wear hats and sunglasses, plus protective sunscreen. This way, even if sun exposure is inevitable, you would still have a layer of protection on your skin. 

2. Skin exfoliators 

Skin exfoliators like retinol and chemical peels can help lighten the skin. The skin can have a more even skin tone, lesser discoloration, and reduced wrinkles. 

However, make sure to seek a professional consultation as misuse of exfoliators is notorious for doing more harm than good for the skin. 

3. Oral medications 

Pynocare is a combination of procyanidin, Vitamin C, E, and A. These capsules are formulated to specifically tackle melasma. This is an over-the-counter oral medication that has been a go-to for people who want a long-term solution to dark spots like melasma. 

And, this proved to be effective in an 8-week study conducted on Filipino women with melasma. Each component of this medication is carefully studied by experts. Essentially, you get the most effect with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Pynocare as it prevents melanin overproduction. 

Different treatment options may have varying results for people. Hyperpigmentation and dark patches have different sizes and intensities. So, it would be best to remain patient and wait for the results to kick in! 

Pynocare: Oral Treatment for Melasma 

There is no one absolute way of removing bothersome dark spots. Instead, it is best to have a combination of treatments and work on the root cause of the problem! 

Along with constant sun protection, you can also take Pynocare tablets daily. As experts suggest, Pynocare tables are best taken twice a day after meals.  

But you need to be patient! According to a previous study, it takes around 8 weeks to see significant lightening of dark spots with the use of Pynocare. And, you need to keep taking in the oral medication to prevent re-developing the hyperpigmentation! 

Conclusion 

Can hyperpigmentation be treated? By understanding why and how these spots develop, you can easily find the best way to treat them! 

There are all sorts of hyperpigmentation, and each has different intensities and sizes. Melasma is a kind of hyperpigmentation common among women. As these dark spots develop on the face and neck, many look for effective means to get rid of them. 

Looking for ways to effectively minimize dark spots and recurrence? It is best to combine sun protection and oral medications! Prudent intake of Pynocare, along with constant minimizing of sun exposure is highly likely to give you the best long-term improvement. 

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Article Reviewed by: Dra. Carol Carpio