Understanding Hyperpigmentation: Causes, Types, and Risk Factors

When you spend a lot of time in the sun, various issues can occur. In certain cases, your body may produce an excess of melanin, which darkens the skin. This can cause dark patches to form on your skin that are darker than your natural skin tone. This can make it uncomfortable for you to feel good in your skin and you may want to seek out an even skin tone. The providers at Southside Dermatology Mohs and Skin Surgery in Tulsa, Muskogee, and Broken Arrow, OK, can explain hyperpigmentation and what you might need to understand about this condition.

Understanding Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation doesn’t typically affect your overall health but can affect your self-esteem. When you’re dealing with uneven skin tone, you might feel embarrassed and like you need to cover up the dark patches on your skin. This can especially be difficult if dark spots are on your face. Hyperpigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin which is typically triggered by sunlight, hormonal changes, skin injuries, or acne inflammation.

Common types of hyperpigmentation include:

• Albinism
• Vitiligo
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Your dermatologists in Tulsa, Muskogee, and Broken Arrow, OK, can discuss hyperpigmentation treatment options with you. Often, topical creams, chemical peels, or laser therapy can be used to reduce the production of melanin within your skin and remove the hyperpigmented cells that are causing dark spots. In some cases, you might need skin cancer surgery to remove these patches of dark skin.

Contact Our Providers Today

Find out how you can deal with hyperpigmentation. Contact the providers at Southside Dermatology Mohs and Skin Surgery in Tulsa, Muskogee, and Broken Arrow, OK, to learn more about hyperpigmentation. Call for more information and to schedule a consultation today at (918) 760-0700 for the office in Tulsa, OK, (918) 840-5276 for the office in Muskogee, OK, and (918) 770-4599 for the office in Broken Arrow, OK.