How do I know if I have hyperpigmentation or melasma?

Although it also is a type of condition characterized by darker patches of skin, melasma is differentiated from other forms of hyperpigmentation mainly by its cause; rather than just being sun-related, melasma is caused in part by hormonal changes within the body.

What can be mistaken for melasma?

Spots of melasma can sometimes be mistaken for freckles but they are not the same skin condition.

How do I know if I have hyperpigmentation?

Darkened areas on the skin are the main symptoms of hyperpigmentation. Patches can vary in size and develop anywhere on the body. The biggest risk factors for general hyperpigmentation are sun exposure and inflammation, as both situations can increase melanin production.

Does melasma cause hyperpigmentation?

The primary symptom of melasma is hyperpigmentation — the development of discolored patches of skin or uneven skin tone. These patches are typically flat and appear darker than an individual's skin tone, often brown or gray in color.

What is the difference between pigmentation and hyperpigmentation?

Pigmentation is the coloring of a person's skin. When a person is healthy, their skin color will appear normal. In the case of illness or injury, the person's skin may change color, becoming darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation).

Tips for Dark Spots, Hyperpigmentation, and Melasma

What hyperpigmentation looks like?

Hyperpigmentation can appear as brown, black, gray, red or pink spots or patches. The spots are sometimes called age spots, sun spots or liver spots. The spots can occur in just one area of the body or all over.

Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades?

Yes. Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.

Why do I suddenly have melasma?

Causes and risk factors of melasma

This means birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all trigger melasma. Stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be causes of melasma. Additionally, sun exposure can cause melasma because ultraviolet rays affect the cells that control pigment (melanocytes).

Can hyperpigmentation be permanent?

Hyperpigmentation within the dermis has a blue-gray appearance and may either be permanent or resolve over a protracted period of time if left untreated.

What triggers melasma?

Stress causes the body to make more of the hormone cortisol. An increase in cortisol may trigger melasma. Tanning beds: A tanning bed or sunlamp tends to produce stronger ultraviolet (UV) rays than sunlight. When you expose your skin to UV light, it triggers the body to produce more pigment.

How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to go away?

For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), without any treatment at all it can take anywhere from three months to two years for the discoloration to fade, depending on how dark the patches are, and even then it may not disappear completely.

What makes melasma worse?

Sun exposure: Exposure to the sun's rays can make melasma worse and this includes being in the heat and visible light. It doesn't have to be a very hot day out, but if the sun is beaming on your skin, the melasma can immediately get worse.

Does vitamin C help with hyperpigmentation?

It helps fade hyperpigmentation

Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity of an enzyme known as tyrosinase. It's widely used in dermatology for depigmentation of hyperpigmented spots on the skin.

Where is melasma located?

Melasma often begins during pregnancy

These usually appear on certain areas of face like the cheeks, forehead, chin, and even above the upper lip. While less common, melasma can develop on the arms, neck, or elsewhere.

Does melasma have texture?

When magnified, skin affected by melasma often shows signs similar to photodamaged skin, with a thicker, rougher texture.

Can a dermatologist remove melasma?

Procedures for melasma include a chemical peel (such as glycolic acid), microdermabrasion, and dermabrasion. A dermatologist should perfrom these procedures.

How do I know if my hyperpigmentation is epidermal or dermal?

Epidermal pigmentation is mostly brown and fades out in several months. Dermal pigmentation has a grey-brown colour and is generally permanent for years.

Does Retinol remove hyperpigmentation?

Retinol can be applied topically to lighten the skin and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. This over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid can help minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation in under six months when applied correctly and consistently.

How can I lighten my hyperpigmentation fast?

Start with topical OTC whitening creams. “Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist.

Does melasma show up overnight?

When melasma starts to affect your skin, it's rarely sudden. Usually, dark, hyperpigmented skin develops slowly over several weeks or months, leaving you with darkened patches of skin that aren't obvious at first but quickly become visible as time goes on.

Will melasma ever go away?

Most people with melasma do not need treatment. Melasma may fade away slowly if you stop taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. If melasma appeared while you were pregnant, it may go away a few months after you have the baby. If melasma doesn't fade or it bothers you, it can be treated.

Can lack of vitamin D cause melasma?

Although vitamin D is used in the treatment of melanoma and psoriasis and active role of 1, 25(OH)2D3 in skin no reports of melasma associated with vitamin D reported.

How do I know if my hyperpigmentation is fading?

Once what's causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years.

Does exfoliating make hyperpigmentation worse?

You're exfoliating too harshly.

“Patients sometimes try to aggressively exfoliate dark spots to fade them, but that can often make the problem worse,” says Dr. Choudhury. “Too much scrubbing can darken the hyperpigmentation.”

Can vitamin C make hyperpigmentation worse?

No, it does not. It may stain your skin but it cannot darken your skin. It is important to know the difference between staining and darkening the skin. Staining is where the product reacts with your dead skin cells and leads to a change in the color of those dead cells.