About Pigmentation - Uneven Skintone

1. FrecklesFreckles are small spots of concentrated melanin and can appear in various colours, such as brown, tan, red, black or even yellow. Freckles are formed when our skin is exposed to UVB radiation from the sun, activating melanocytes within our skin and increasing melanin production. Freckles can occur anywhere on the body but are commonly seen on the face, arms, neck, back, and chest. They are generally harmless and fade with reduced sun exposure.

 

2. Age SpotsAge spots (or solar lentigo) are more distinct areas of darker and defined pigmentation. They are scattered in distribution compared to freckles and tend to arise years later – hence the name age spots. Age spots are caused by repeated sun exposure, which leads to an overproduction of melanin and abnormal pigment retention. Lentigines, also known as liver spots, typically appear on the back of the hands and the face. They are flat, light brown areas that don’t itch or scale.

 

3. MelasmaMelasma is a skin condition that is symmetric and dark and has irregular shading over the cheeks, nose, upper lip, chin, and forehead. Melasma is common in women, especially those who are pregnant or with a hormonal imbalance. It can affect all skin types but is more common in darker Fitzpatrick skin types. Melasma is caused when the melanocyte cells are stimulated by oestrogen and progesterone, which encourages the skin to produce excessive melanin.

 

4. Post-Inflammatory HyperpigmentationPost-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a type of hyperpigmentation that occurs following inflammation or an injury to the skin. PIH is common after acne, trauma and inflammatory conditions. Severe inflammation or trauma can disrupt the epidermis's bottom layer, causing the melanocytes to produce melanin that can leak down into and become trapped in the deeper layers of your skin. This results in pigmentation that is deeper and more resistant to treatment.