Hyper Pigmentation 

Simply put, hyperpigmentation modifies the coloring of the skin because of an excess of pigment known as hyperpigmentation or, conversely, a lack of pigmentation known as hypopigmentation.

These discolorations do not disappear through washing or cleansing -- and they usually remain for a long time, and sometimes for a lifetime.

Due to excessive sun exposure, sun damage and hormonal imbalance or skin inflammation from trauma, hyperpigmentation may be expressed as dark spots on the face, neck, torso and arms because of an uneven accumulation of pigment in the upper layers of the skin -- the epidermis.

Cells called melanocyte are responsible for skin pigmentation in humans. Located in the lower level of the epidermis, these cells produce a complex brown-black color substance called melanin that travels to the upper skin layers, giving the skin its color.

The darker the overall skin color, the greater the amount of melanin within the skin. Dark-skinned people produce melanin more easily than people with lighter skin, allowing them to tan quickly with minimal burning. People with fair complexions usually produce less melanin, and often burn or get freckles.

Sunlight stimulates melanin production. This increased production results in a greater melanin concentration on the skin surface and, at the same time, a darkening of the exposed areas. The most common varieties of hyperpigmentation include:

• freckles: small brown spots on sun-exposed areas
• age spots: small, evenly pigmented, light to dark brown spots on sun-exposed or non-sun-exposed areas
• melasma (also know as a pregnancy mask): irregular patches of light to dark areas usually seen on the face.
• postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: random dark spots in areas of previous inflammation, such as acne.

Factors such as race, genetic influence, hormonal imbalances, UV light exposure and even surface skin irritation -- such as friction, scratching, rubbing or acne injury -- are responsible for altering melanin production and changes in skin color.

Melasma appears in patches, and is believed to result from hormonal changes that often occur during pregnancy or estrogen therapy. These hormonal changes cause pigment-producing cells to increase melanin production in an uneven pattern, resulting in color-alteration patches that can cover a wider area (sometimes the entire cheek, forehead or upper lip).

When hyperpigmentation is the result of melanin accumulation on the skin surface, glycolic acid-based products or retinoic acid products help to lighten darkened areas because of exfoliation properties that help to eliminate accumulated melanin. In this case, the use of a skin-lightening lotion, while not essential, will accelerate the lightening process.

For melasma, a skin-lightening lotion based on a therapeutic bleaching agent, such as Clear Tone Plus, should be used in conjunction with SkinUSA anti-aging cream.