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What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation Treatment

The main reason behind hyperpigmentation is essentially the surplus production of melanin by the body’s melanocyte cells. Various factors stimulate the abnormal rise in the production of melanin. At the time of initial consultation, the treatment provider will explain the potential causes of this condition.

Reger Vein and Skin Specialists, led by Dr. Gregg Reger, provides medical spa treatments for hyperpigmentation to patients in Spring, TX, The Woodlands, and surrounding locations.

Key Causes

Some of the most common reasons for the production of surplus melanin resulting in hyperpigmentation are as follows:

  1. Inflammation Due to Sunlight

Everyone knows that sunlight darkens the skin. However, tanning may not lead to evenly tanned skin. For several people, tanning can cause hyperpigmentation. When the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun, it generates an inflammatory response. This response occurs immediately on sun exposure.

However, the levels are so negligible that it is not noticeable. If the sun exposure is prolonged, then the level of inflammation increases. Such inflammation in response to sun exposure is the primary reason behind the production of melanin in the skin.

  1. Skin Damage

The skin can sustain damage from anything ranging from a cut to acne. This leads to surplus melanin production. If the skin receives any damage, the body copes with it by initiating an inflammatory response.

This response causes the melanocytes in the skin to activate. Other than an inflammatory response, when the skin is injured, it may be unable to reproduce the skin pigments that were previously there.

  1. Allergic Reactions

When the body experiences an allergic reaction, the skin may undergo an inflammatory response. If the individual is severely allergic to something, the body may go into overdrive when it comes into contact with that matter.

This leads to skin irritation. There are significant chances of the skin displaying inflammatory reactions. For instance, poison ivy could activate melanocyte cells leading to hyperpigmentation.

  1. Medication

There are various medications which may have hyperpigmentation as a side-effect. Antibiotics, hormone meds, topical retinoids, non-steroidal drugs, anti-seizure medications, and chemotherapeutic medicines may lead to hyperpigmentation.

Again, medications may lead to hormonal changes in the body that could cause melanocyte cells to activate. There is a surplus production of melanin once the cells are activated. Numerous medications which have to be taken perforce may have hyperpigmentation as a side-effect.

  1. Hormonal Change

An increase in progesterone and estrogen levels usually due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills can be a cause of hyperpigmentation. Such hormonal changes can lead to more melanin production. The condition where the body produces more melanin due to progesterone or estrogen is called melasma. For several women, hyperpigmentation resolves after the pregnancy. However, this may not be the case for everyone.

  1. Genetics

For several people, DNA influences the presence of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is genetic, but it may skip generations. If a family member has severe hyperpigmentation, then the chances of a person acquiring it are high.

Dr. Gregg Reger receives patients from Spring, TX, The Woodlands, and nearby areas for hyperpigmentation medical spa treatments.

For More Information contact Reger Vein and Skin Specialists in The Woodlands, TX

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Board Certified Phlebologist Dr. Gregg Reger at Reger Vein and Skin Specialists please call 832-585-0090 or click here to contact our team. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.