Getting to the Root

Addressing hyperpigmentation in the treatment room

Nothing enters our treatment room more than a client with concerns about hyperpigmentation. And nothing can be as frustrating and tricky to treat for both you and your clients. But what exactly is it, and how can you tackle it to ensure a successful turnaround for your treatments?

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common signs of aging and usually a harmless condition, where patches of skin become darker in color than the surrounding skin. Melanin is the brown pigment that produces our skin’s color and darkening occurs when an excess of that melanin forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can affect any skin tone, lighter or darker. However, some people are just a bit more prone to it than others. It can also vary in its onset. Hyperpigmentation can result from years of sun exposure and then slowly appear over time, or it can appear swiftly and suddenly.

TYPES OF HYPERPIGMENTATION

The causes of hyperpigmentation can vary from hormonal changes to environmental factors and lifestyle choices. Even skin conditions like acne can leave dark spots after the condition clears. Other causes of dark spots are injuries or trauma to the skin, including simply picking a blemish or an incision from surgery. Freckles, which are inherited characteristics, are small brown spots that appear anywhere on the body, but most common on the face, the arms, and the back.