What is Pigmentation?

Pigmentation is a common skin condition, where some patches of skin turn darker in colour. It is usually a harmless condition, caused when there is too much of the pigment, melanin, on the surface of the skin. This condition can affect people of all races.

 

Age spots, sometimes called liver spots, are a form of pigmentation. They usually occur as a result of damage to the skin, from the suns rays. These are often referred to as solar lentigines. The small, dark spots are found generally on the hands and face, but any area exposed to the sun, can be affected.

 

Chloasma and Melasma is a type of pigmentation closely related to both hormonal changes and the suns rays. These types of pigmentation often cover large areas and will darken during the summer months or exposure to sunlight.

 

Melasma is a skin condition presenting as brown patches on the face of adults. Both sides of the face are usually affected. The most common sites of involvement are the cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead, and upper lip. Melasma usually occurs in women and women who take birth control pills often develop this type of pigmentation. Only 10% of those affected are men.

 

Similarly, some pregnant women overproduce melanin and develop a condition called Chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy", on their faces or abdomens. Again this can cover a relatively large area and may worsen after sun exposure.

 

Acne can cause darkening and scarring to the skin, as can skin injuries and sometimes surgery.

 

Freckles are also common and usually a hereditary skin blemish. Though freckles are often thought of as attractive, some people do seek out treatment to reduce them.

 

It is usual for any darkened area of pigmentation to become darker when exposed to sunlight as melanin is part of our own bodies defence system, absorbing ultraviolet rays from the sun, in order to protect the skin from overexposure. This is actually what we refer to as "tanning."

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