Everything You Need to Know About Hyperpigmentation
Do you have dark spots on your skin that you just can鈥檛 get rid of? If so, you probably have some sort of hyperpigmentation. Also known as age spots, liver spots, freckles or acne scars, hyperpigmentation occurs when your skin produces too much melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin鈥檚 colour. Here鈥檚 everything you should know about this common skin concern.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
There are three common types of hyperpigmentation:
- Believed to be caused by hormonal changes, melasma is characterized by patches of darker skin. Most common on the face, it can also occur on the shoulders, neck and other areas that are exposed to the sun. It鈥檚 most common on women of colour and during pregnancy.
- Different from a sunburn, sunspots and freckles are the result of sun exposure over time. They鈥檙e most common on the hands and face but can appear anywhere on the body.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This refers to the dark spots that sometimes remain behind after an injury or once your acne has cleared up.
If you鈥檙e predisposed to hyperpigmentation, it鈥檚 important to protect yourself from the sun and to avoid irritating or injuring your skin by picking at it.
Treating hyperpigmentation
Generally, hyperpigmentation isn鈥檛 harmful. However, there are treatments available if you鈥檇 like to get rid of it.
- Topical products. Exfoliating beauty products with antioxidants can help to lighten dark spots and generally brighten your skin.
- Laser therapy. Laser treatments can help to lighten dark spots caused by the sun. However, this isn鈥檛 a great choice for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, as the lasers can cause inflammation.
- This treatment offers a more profound exfoliation, encouraging new skin cell growth.
- Chemical peels. There are a few different types of chemical peels that can target dark spots. Because of the nature of the products used, it鈥檚 important that they be applied under the supervision of a professional and not at home.
Not all of these treatments are suitable for everyone. We encourage you to visit a professional at a medical spa to discover the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
Medical spas in Toronto
If you鈥檙e ready to do something about your hyperpigmentation, visit one of 91自拍鈥檚 medi-spa clinics. You鈥檒l benefit from top of the line treatments performed by licenced professionals and talented cosmetology students.
If you鈥檇 like to learn more about medical aesthetics or would like to pursue a career as an aesthetician makeup artist, or hair stylist, we鈥檙e the school for you. Contact us today to find out about the exciting programs we offer.