Hyperpigmentation and its appearance on skin:
Hyperpigmentation is the word used to describe areas of uneven pigmentation in skin. Hyperpigmentation appears as darkened patches or spots on the skin that make it look uneven. These dark spots are known as sun spots or age spots and hyperpigmentation is also at the heart of skin conditions such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation typically appears on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to the sun such as the face and hands. Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin production. Melanin is the natural pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes their color. This increased production is triggered by a variety of factors, but the main ones are sun exposure, age, hormonal influence.
Causes of hyperpigmentation:
Oxidative stress caused by the sun’s UVA and UVB rays are the primary cause of premature skin aging and skin hyperpigmentation issues, but recent studies
have shown that high-energy visible light, the light we see all around us, also causes oxidative stress to skin and can also contribute to hyperpigmentation.
Sunexposure the major cause: Sun exposure is the number one cause of hyperpigmentation as it’s sunlight that triggers the production of melanin in the first place. Melanin acts as your skin’s natural sunscreen by protecting you from harmful rays, which is why people tan in the sun. But excessive sun exposure can disrupt this process, leading to hyperpigmentation. Small, darkened patches of skin known as sun spots are, as the name suggests, caused by sun exposure. They commonly appear on skin that is frequently exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, décolleté and hands. Once dark spots have developed, sun exposure can also exacerbate the issue by making then even darker.
Aging: Another common name for sun spots is age spots. As skin ages, the number of melanin-producing cells (known as melanocytes) decreases but the remaining ones increase in
size and their distribution becomes more focused. These physiological changes explain the increase of age/sun spots in those over 40 years. Role of sunscreens: Photosensitive conditions such as hyperpigmentation (PIH) ,dark spot are exacerbated by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and visible light making sunscreen use an essential component of treatment. This is especially true in skin of color patients who are less likely to use photoprotection, even if diagnosed with these photoexacerbated conditions.
Types of hyperpigmentation include: • age spots, also called “liver” spots • melasma • post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation Some medications and certain health conditions can also lead to
hyperpigmentation. There are several ways that you can treat hyperpigmentation at home. While several of the remedies we share here are anecdotal, some research suggests their main ingredients work on skin pigmentation.

Natural remedies for hyperpigmentation: Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which research Trusted Source shows may lighten pigmentation. To use this remedy: • Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a container. • Apply to your dark patches and leave on two to three minutes. • Rinse using lukewarm water. • Repeat twice daily you achieve the results you desire. Aloe vera :
Aloe vera contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been shown to lighten skin and work effectively as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment, according to a 2012 study. To use: • Apply pure aloe vera gel to pigmented areas before bedtime. • Rinse using warm water the next morning. • Repeat daily until your skin color improves. Red onion : Red onion (Allium cepa) extract is an ingredient in some commercially available skin- and scar-lightening creams. Research has found that the dried skin of red onions can effectively lighten skin. Green tea extract : ResearchTrusted Source shows that green tea
extract may have a depigmenting effect when applied to skin. You can purchase green tea extract and apply it as directed. Some websites suggest applying green tea bags to dark spots for a lightening effect, though there is no evidence to back this claim. Black tea water : An animal study Trusted Source published in 2011 found that black tea water lightened dark spots on guinea pigs. The black tea water was applied twice a day, six days a week for four weeks. To try your own version of this hyperpigmentation treatment at home: • Add a tablespoon of fresh black tea leaves to a cup of boiling distilled water. • Steep for two hours and strain to remove the leaves. • Soak a cotton ball in the tea water and apply to areas of hyperpigmentation, twice a day. • Repeat every day for six days a week, over
four weeks. Licorice extract : Licorice extract contains active ingredients that have been shown to lighten hyperpigmentation caused by melasma and sun exposure. Topical creams containing licorice extract are available over the counter. Use as directed on the packaging. Milk : Milk, buttermilk, and even sour milk have all been shown to effectively lighten skin discoloration. Lactic acid is the ingredient responsible for this effect. Tomato paste : A study published in The British Journal of Dermatology in 2011 found that tomato paste rich in lycopene protected the skin against short-term and long-term aspects of photo damage. Study participants consumed 55 grams of tomato paste in olive oil daily for 12 weeks.
Orchid extracts : Orchid extracts are just as effective as vitamin C hyperpigmentation remedies, according to research Trusted Source. Applying orchid-rich extracts to the skin for eight weeks improved the size and appearance of dark patches. You can buy skin products containing orchid extract, including masks, creams, and scrubs. Use as directed for the best results. Topical medicinal therapies: • Retinoids. … • Azelaic acid. … • Kojic acid. … • Tranexamic acid. … ¾• Cysteamine. … • Cosmeceuticals.
Prevention: Sun damage is the number one cause of patches of hyperpigmentation, and you can do a lot to prevent sun damage by applying SPF and staying out of direct sunlight. To treat darker skin pigmentation, using products that contain ingredients such as retinol or Niacinamide can help.
Both natural and medicinal use can reduce hyperpigmentation and helps in reducing age spots as well. References:
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov