Hyperpigmentation Or Brown Spots On The Face, Caused By These 5 Factors

Illustration of hyperpigmentation on the face, causes and symptoms (iStockphoto)

YOGYAKARTA - Hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, it's just that brown spots that appear on the skin are often considered disturbing appearance. When spots appear on the skin that are darker than the surrounding normal skin color, melanin is produced in excess and is known as hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation can affect the skin tone of people of all races, reports the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. There are a number of factors that cause the appearance of hyperpigmentation on the skin, including the following.

1. Sun exposure

The body will produce more melanin, the goal is to protect the skin from prolonged sun exposure. Launching Medical News Today, Monday, August 1, it can cause dark spots or brown patches on the skin. These sun spots are called age spots or sunspots.

Illustration of hyperpigmentation on the face, causes and symptoms (iStockphoto)

2. Skin inflammation

Hyperpigmentation is not only experienced on facial skin. In addition to the face, brown or darker patches can appear on skin folds, elbows, knuckles, toes, inside of cheeks, or lips. Likewise with inflamed skin that can occur on all parts of the outside of this body. Usually, hyperpigmentation is due to inflammation due to injury, acne, eczema, and lupus. People with darker skin are more likely to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

3. Melasma

Darker patches of skin can form when people experience hormonal changes. This type of hyperpigmentation is common during pregnancy. Due to hormones, it can trigger excess melanin production, resulting in a condition known as the 'mask of pregnancy' on the face and skin of the stomach area. In addition, women who take hormonal birth control, or birth control pills, may also develop hyperpigmentation.

4. Taking certain drugs

The body's reaction to certain drugs, such as antimalarial drugs and tricyclic antidepressants, can cause hyperpigmentation. In this case, the patches of skin may turn gray. Sometimes, the chemicals in topical treatments can also cause hyperpigmentation.

5. Medical conditions

More serious causes of hyperpigmentation are Addison's disease and hemochromatosis. Addison's disease, which affects the adrenal glands, causes hyperpigmentation in certain areas of the body including the folds of the skin, lips, elbows and knees, knuckles, toes, and the inside of the cheeks.

Hemochromatosis is an inherited condition that causes the body to accumulate too much iron. This can lead to hyperpigmentation, meaning the skin appears darker or tanned. Hyperpigmentation due to hemochromatosis occurs when iron levels in the body are five times higher than normal.

Those are the five causes of hyperpigmentation. To overcome this, you can take steps for topical treatments or consult a doctor to evaluate the overall cause and how to get rid of it.