Dark skin pigmentation on face - Hyperpigmentation on face

Home › Skin hyperpigmentation › Hyperpigmentation pictures › Hyperpigmentation on face

Hyperpigmentation is the medical term for dark, black or brown spots or patches on skin. Hyperpigmentation on face is quite common and it appears as lesions darker than the surrounding areas.

Though hyperpigmentation is usually a harmless condition, it can be cosmetically disfiguring and cause great depression and psychological stress to the affected persons. Hyperpigmentation on the face may also occur due to medical conditions such as acanthosis nigricans, Addison's disease, amyloidosis and tinea versicolor which require proper medical care.

Hyperpigmentation on face is the result of uneven, excess production and deposition melanin pigment as lesions. There are several causes for such excessive production of melanin. In some cases the cause is unknown and is idiopathic. The dark discoloration on face may be focal and well defined. It may also be diffuse with its margins gradually merging with the unaffected areas of the body.

Related posts: Types of skin discoloration <> White discoloration on skin <> Brown discoloration of skin <> Reddened skin <> Reddish skin discoloration <> Yellow skin discoloration <> Orange skin discoloration

Hyperpigmentation causes and types

The quantity and type of melanin present in the skin imparts human skin color. Fair skinned individuals have lesser amounts of melanin whereas darker colored individuals have more of melanin pigment. However due to various reasons the skin pigment may be concentrated as spots or patches on the face or body.

Melasma

In melasma symmetrical patches of hyperpigmentation appear on the face. On exposure sunlight (UV light), the lesions darken due to increased melanogenesis. Nearly 80% of the persons affected by melasma are women. The causes of melasma are, excess exposure to sunlight, hormonal imbalances, oral contraceptive pills, cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries and pregnancy. Melasma treatment aims to inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity. Traditional melasma natural treatments include application of epidermis bleaching agents like lemon juice and papaya juice.

Freckles

Freckles are concentration of melanin pigment and are more pronounced in persons with fair complexion. Apart from the face, freckles also appear on the exposed parts of the body. Freckles tend to darken on exposure to sunlight.

Lentigo (lentigines) and age spots

Lentigines are clusters of melanocytes. The small spots have clearly defined margin. They appear stable and are not darkened by exposure to sunlight.

Mole (melanocytic nevus)

Mole is a concentration of Nevus cells, a variant of melanocytes. The cause of mole formation is not clear and is believed to be caused by a defect in embryologic development. Acquired moles are formed due to excessive exposure to sunlight.

Medication and chemicals

Antimalarial drugs and amiodarone are known to cause hyperpigmentation. The chemicals present in the cosmetics, toiletries, perfumes are also known to cause darkened spots on face.

UV damage

Exposure to excessive sunlight or UV light has been found to stimulate melanocytes to produce excess melanin pigment.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

The post inflammatory process of skin building after severe acne may result in hyperpigmentation. PIH occurs after an acne, burn, cut, abrasion and injury. The affected area turns darker than the rest of the skin.

Smoker's melanosis

The tar-components in the tobacco smoke stimulate melanocytes to produce more melanin pigment. Oral mucosa, lips and fingertips are found to darken with high melanin deposits. The hyperpigmentation gradually fades after quitting smoking.

Hyperpigmentation treatment

Tyrosinase enzyme activity mediates in the synthesis of melanin pigment. The treatment of hyperpigmentation is by applying chemical agents capable of blocking tyrosinase enzyme activity.

Chemical peels
Hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid, retinoic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid, niacinamide and croton oil are some of the chemical agents and peels used in removing hyperpigmentation on face.

Natural hyperpigmentation remedies
Lemon juice, honey, aloe vera gel, papaya paste, horseradish juice, apple cider vinegar, Grape seed oil, evening primerose oil, sea-buckthorn berry extract, bearberry extract and green tea extract are some of the natural remedies for removing hyperpigmentation.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion of the top layer of epidermis removes the old pigmented epidermis. A number of sessions may be required to get satisfactory results.

Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing removes the top layer of epidermis with hyperpigmentation and stimulates new fresh layer without the dark patches to grow out. A number of sittings may be required to get complete result.

Hyperpigmentation can be prevented by avoiding all the triggering factors. As most of the dark spots tend to darken further on exposure to sunlight, avoiding the exposure and wearing proper sun protection can go a long way in preventing hyperpigmentation on face.

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Hyperpigmentation on face - Pigmentation on face

Melasma hyperpigmentation - Melasma causes and symptoms

Home › Brown discoloration of skin › What is melasma? › Melasma signs, symptoms and causes

Melasma (aka chloasma or the mask of pregnancy) is hyperpigmentation of skin caused by the excess deposition of melanin pigments. Symptoms of melasma discolorations appear as irregular light brown to dark brown patches.

Exposure to sun causes the lesions to spread and darken.
Melasma is found to develop in women in their 20 to 50 years of age.
It is rarely seen in men and only 10% of the melasma cases are seen in men.
Pregnant women, those taking oral contraceptives or undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are likely candidates for developing melasma hyperpigmentation.
The facial hyperpigmentosis is a very disturbing cosmetic problem and causes considerable emotional and psychological impacts.

Melasma appears to be a familial condition as it is found to run in families. People with light brown, olive and yellow skin color have higher rate of melasma incidence. In the summer months the hyperpigmentation is found to intensify and spread and in the winter months the lesions lighten and fade.

picture of melasma on face
Image by Elord | CC BY-SA 3.0
www.wikidoc.org

Signs and symptoms of melasma

The appearance of light brown lesions is the early symptom of this hyperpigmentation.

The older lesions may appear grayish brown in color.

The patches are irregularly shaped and have well-defined margins.

Another symptom is that the hyperpigmentation tend to darken on sun exposure.

The lesions usually appear on the face and develop on the forehead, cheeks, chin, upper lip and sides of the nose.

Another typical symptom is that the lesions are symmetrical, affecting both the sides of the face.

What causes melasma?

The exact cause of the development of melasma hyperpigmentation is complex and is not clear. Complex factors interrelated to genetic predisposition, female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and UV radiation appear to cause the lesions. The endogenous factors which trigger the lesions include female hormones and genetic predisposition.

The exogenous factors which trigger this hyperpigmentation include sun exposure, hormonal medications, cosmetic preparations and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. However in men hormonal factor is not relevant and the etiological factors appear to be sun-exposure, family history, use of cosmetic preparations and chronic inflammatory illness.

Apart from the excess production of melanin pigment, these etiological factors contribute an increase in the number of melanocytes (melanin producing cells). There may be proliferation and dilation of capillaries in the dermis. In chronic cases bluish-grayish-brown hyperpigmentation is due to the skin pigments slipping into the dermis.

Anomalies in the functioning of the pituitary gland may cause hyperpituitarism (hypersecretion of pituitary hormones). Hypersecretion of melanocyte–stimulating hormones (MSHs) by the pituitary gland is also believed to cause the hyperpigmentation.

Etiological causes

• genetic predisposition
• pregnancy
• menopause
• increased estrogen, progesterone secretion by the body
• hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• ovarian disorders
• hormonal imbalance can cause melasma
• increase in melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
• oral contraceptives
• sun exposure and the use of sunbeds
• cosmetics
• perfumes
• toiletries
• phototoxic reactions
• certain medications

These hyperpigmentation lesions can treated but their recurrence is always possible. Avoiding the triggering causes can help in controlling and resolving the melasma patches.

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References:
1.Vaneeta M. Sheth, Amit G. Pandya. Melasma: A comprehensive update Part I & II. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Volume 65, Issue 4, October 2011. Picture source: http://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/File:Melasmablemish.jpg Picture author: Elord from Wikidocs | License: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Signs, symptoms and causes of melasma hyperpigmentation

Skin hyperpigmentation

Home › Skin discoloration › Brown discoloration of skin › Hyperpigmentation of skin

Hyperpigmentation of skin is a common problem faced by most of us. Skin hyperpigmentation affects women and men equally.

All ethnic groups can develop areas of darkened skin. Though it is more common in middle age and beyond, young individuals may also get affected.

Skin hyperpigmentation may be idiopathic or caused due to sun damage, diseases, acne, inflammation, hormonal imbalances or injuries. All these conditions can lead to excess deposition of melanin pigment and hyperpigmentation or overgrowth of dermal and epidermal tissues.

Human skin color is determined by the genetic makeup which has evolved over time into different ethnic groups. The skin of these ethnic groups react differently to hyperpigmentation causing stimuli. The skin of very fair individuals may respond to excess sun exposure with sunburn and sun damage whereas the people of Mediterranean, Asian or African origins develops skin hyperpigmentation for similar exposure. However overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer in both the groups.

Dark brown discoloration of skin

Hyperpigmentation generally leads to dark brown discoloration of skin. The discoloration can be as spots, patches or occur on greater areas of skin. Depending on the type of affecting disorder the discoloration can form on any particular region of the skin or generalized.

The discoloration can form on the face as in the case of acne scars or melasma. Many infections, especially by fungii can lead to brown hyperpigmentation which resolve after treatment of the disease. However in some conditions the dark brown discoloration may last for life.

For more information read 'brown discoloration of skin'.

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Dermal discoloration pictures

The pictures of dermal hyperpigmentation gives us a clear comparative idea about the medical conditions and help us in differential diagnosis of disorders like, Addison's disease and acanthosis nigricans. Addison disease initially may appear as patchy tanning.

The pictures also help us from differentiating between sunburn and suntan. Freckles are concentrated clusters of melanin deposits whereas lentigines is due to proliferation of of melanocytes. The lentigo has linear spread whereas the mole hyperpigmentation is a multi-layer nest of melanocytes.

For more information read 'skin discoloration pictures'.

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What is Acanthosis nigricans - Definition

Acanthosis nigricans is brown to black, velvety, poorly defined hyperpigmentation. It is usually found in the body folds like groins, armpits, neck folds etc. There are many causative and triggering factors of this hyperpigmentation disorder like obesity, inheritance and hormonal imbalances.

The skin color of the affected area may range from light brown to black. Acanthosis nigricans hyperpigmentation can begin at any age. Papillomatosis (finger-like growths) and skin tags are observed in and around the affected area.

For more information read 'acanthosis nigricans definition'.

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Acanthosis nigricans pictures - Causes - Treatment

The causes of developing acanthosis nigricans are many. Obesity, insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, certain medications, hypothyroidism, pituitary gland disorders, genetic disposition, certain syndromic diseases and cancers are some of the causative factors.

There is no specific treatment for acanthosis nigricans hyperpigmentation. Treating the underlying cause and trigger can bring about the relief and resolution of the disorder. Reducing the sugars or starches in food to bring down the circulating insulin will help a lot.

For more information read 'acanthosis nigricans pictures'.

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Acne blemishes

Acne is a very common skin problem especially of the teens and young adults. The pores of the hyperactive sebaceous glands get blocked and out come is acne and infection. The blocked pores with the onset infection tend develop inflammation.

The healing process in the acne starts with granulation tissue formation and matrix remodeling. In the new matrix, collagen protein has different fiber composition from that of the original protein leading to scars and hyperpigmentation.

For more information read 'acne blemishes'.

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Acne scars types

Acne scars and hyperpigmentation are brought about by the healing process and the tissue repair mechanism. Depending upon the level of tissue damage and inflammation in the infected acne, hypertrophic or atrophic scars are formed.

In hypertrophic scars there is net increase in the repair tissue resulting in raised thickened tissue. In atrophic scars there is loss of tissue and causing the formation of depressed areas. Depending upon the appearance, atrophic scars are categorized into ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars.

For more information read 'types of acne scars'.

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Melasma

Melasma is patchy brown skin hyperpigmentation usually developing on the face. Genetic predisposition and frequent sun exposure seen to precipitate the development of melasma. Mostly women are affected by the lesions and is rare in men.

Pregnant women as well as women taking hormonal medications appear to develop the lesions frequently. The withdrawal of hormones or childbirth appears to resolve the brown hyperpigmentation completely.

For more information read 'what is melasma'.

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Current topic in natural skin care: Hyperpigmentation of skin.

Kinds of skin discoloration

Home › Basic skin care › Skin discoloration › Pictures of skin discoloration

Patchy irregular skin discoloration can be caused by various reasons.

The skin discoloration pictures and their brief description gives us a clear idea about the conditions and the ways to tackle them.

Changes in melanin pigmentation, diet, pregnancy, inflammation, growth of foreign organisms, diseases, hypercarotenemia, hypervascularization, cyanosis, mineral overload, medicines and jaundice can cause these various hues of discoloration.

Skin discoloration can be different and versicolor like white, brown, dark, red, pink, black, blue, orangish, yellowish, bronze and slate colors.

Skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation in Addison disease

Addison's disease, which is a disorder of adrenal gland insufficiency, increased tanning can be noted.

The manifestation of Addison disease in the skin primarily by hyperpigmentation.

Sunburn

Sunburn is a burn to skin tissue due to over exposure to sun light. There is malady and pain with hot, red or reddish skin and associated fatigue and mild dizziness.

Tanning

Tanning is a process by which skin color is darkened due to exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Moderate exposure to sun light has benefits like enhancing the vitamin D production by the dermis.

Freckles

Freckles are often visible in people with fair complexion and are concentrated clusters of melanin deposits.

Freckles contrast from moles and lentigines in that there is no increase in the number of melanin producing cells.

Lentigo

Lentigo (plural lentigines) is a benign hyperplasia (proliferation of cells) of melanocytes.

Regardless of sun exposure lentigo is stable in color and differ from moles in its linear spread, whereas moles are multi-layer nests of melanocytes.

Acanthosis nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans is brown to black, velvety, poorly defined skin discoloration.

Acanthosis nigricans dark brown coloration is usually found in the body folds like groins, armpits, neck folds etc.

Scleroderma diabeticorum

Scleroderma diabeticorum is a rare disorder affecting people with type 2 diabetes.

Scleroderma diabeticorum causes thickening of epidermis on the upper back and the back of the neck with excess black or dark brown melanin deposits.

Albinism

Albinism (achromia) is a hypopigmentary disorder which is congenital.

Albinism results from defect in production of melanin pigment due to dysfunction of melanocytes (melanin producing cells) in the skin, hair and eyes.

Leucism

Leucism, white skin coloration, is a result of defects in neural crest pigment cell differentiation.

Unlike albinism wherein the melanocytes are very much present but they fail to produce melanin pigment only, here the discoloration is caused due to defect in the embryonic development and there is partial or complete absence of pigment cells.

Vitiligo

In vitiligo, a chronic disorder, loss of pigment (depigmentation) occurs in patches leading aesthetic disfigurement of the affected individual.

These depigmentation patches occur usually on the extremities and around body orifices like umbilicus, mouth, genitalia, nostrils and eyes.

Tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor is caused by yeasts (fungi) Malassezia globosa and Malassezia furfur.

The first signs of tinea versicolor infection are small spots of pale discoloration, usually lighter than the surrounding area, developing on the oily areas of the body, such as back, upper arms and shoulder giving rise to itching.

Nevus depigmentosus are harmless non-progressive hypopigmented stable localised patches.

Nevus depigmentosus patches result from localised abnormalities in the function of melanocytes which fail to produce pigments.

Mongolian spot

Mongolian spot, also known as "Mongolian blue spot," is a benign, flat, congenital birthmark with wavy borders and irregular shape.

The blue discoloration is caused by melanocytes, melanin containing cells, that are deep under the skin.

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