Pigmentation, what is it? What are the causes/ symtoms and/or signs?

Pigmentation, what is it? What are the causes/ symptoms and/or signs?

Hyperpigmentation can be an unwanted consequence of internal physical factors and/or external factors which can include hormonal changes, sun exposure, skin type, trauma and the skin’s natural ageing process. Presenting as areas of uneven skin tone, darkness, age spots or freckles, pigmentation occurs when excess melanin (skin pigment) has been stimulated. Factors that may contribute to this process can be divided into external, internal and genetic triggers:

What causes pigmentation?

• Sun damage
• Genetics
• Skin type
• Hormones/Pregnancy
• Skin trauma/Injury
• Birthmarks
• Environmental exposure
• Environmental changes
• Friction
• Uric acid (sweat burn)
• Trauma, medications and medical conditions

.

What are the different types of pigmentation?

Epidermal Pigmentation (Superficial) usually affects lighter skin tones, and is usually caused by sun damage. Some examples of Superficial pigmentation include:

• Sun spots
• Age spots
• Freckles



Dermal Pigmentation (Deeper) which can be caused by trauma, medications and hormonal factors, can present itself as:

• Pigmented acne scarring
• Birthmarks
• Chloasma/Melasma

Hyperpigmentation is not just restricted to the facial area and commonly presents on the shoulders, neck, décolletage, backs of the hands and bikini area. Pigmentation affects all skin colours and all skin types and conditions. Any form of hyperpigmentation may be further aggressed by sun exposure and the daily use of an SPF30 or greater sunscreen on all affected areas is crucial.