Hyperpigmentation

Hhyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.

Hyperpigmentation may be caused by sun damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris. People with darker Asian, East Indian, Mediterranean or African skin tones are also more prone to hyperpigmentation, especially if they have excess sun exposure.

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Dallas, Tex. – (March 23, 2009) Jennifer Linder, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs skin cancer surgeon, today presented a talk titled “Key Ingredient Combinations to Effectively Treat Hyperpigmentation” at the International Congress of Esthetics and Spa, held in Dallas, Texas.

Hyperpigmentation, a discoloration of the skin, is often caused by inflammation, hormonal change or heredity. Inflammation leading to hyperpigmentation can come from prolonged sun exposure, tanning beds, acne, through the use of lasers or other injuries to the skin. Hormonally-induced hyperpigmentation appears most often during pregnancy but can occur with any fluctuation in hormones, such as puberty, the use of birth control pills, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

“I have found, through treating my own patients and in clinical research,” says Dr. Linder, who also struggled with hyperpigmentation as an adult, “that there is no single ingredient that effectively lifts existing and prevents future hyperpigmentation.”

“The greatest benefits to using a combination of ingredients in treating hyperpigmentation,’ Dr. Linder said, “are the synergy created by those ingredients working in concert, the avoidance of potentially irritating ingredients, accelerated results while reducing the risks of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (referred to as PIH), and increased cell turnover and exfoliation.

“Of course, one thing everyone must do to help prevent new hyperpigmentation from developing and greatly reduce the risk of skin cancer is to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays,” Dr. Linder continued. “It is critical that we all use products containing an SPF of 15 or greater daily, even if you work in an office. Look for products that offer both UVA and UVB protection. If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours.”

It is critical that patients struggling with hyperpigmentation receive a thorough skin analysis and consultation about their condition with a physician or licensed medical or skin care professional, such as a PCA SKIN Certified Professional, to learn which combination of professional treatments and daily care products are right for them.

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