Hyperpigmentation & Sun Damage

Understanding hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a broad term that covers several types of skin darkening, including age spots (also called liver spots), sun spots, brown spots, freckles, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. What they all share in common is an overproduction of melanin in localized areas of the skin.

Sun exposure is the most common trigger. Years of UV damage stimulates melanocytes to produce excess pigment, resulting in flat brown patches that tend to appear on the face, hands, chest, and shoulders. Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy or while taking oral contraceptives, can cause melasma, a symmetrical darkening often seen across the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs after skin injury, such as acne, cuts, or burns. The inflammation triggers excess melanin production during the healing process, leaving dark marks that can persist for months or even years. For people with darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation can be especially stubborn and requires experienced, careful treatment to resolve without causing further damage.