Hyperpigmentation On Face & Body: Causes & Effective Ways To Manage It

‘Dark patches on the moon’ might sound poetic at first. But in reality, those dark patches of hyperpigmentation on your face can be frustrating to deal with.

While harmless in most cases and surprisingly common, they can still affect how you feel about your skin. Maybe even your confidence.

That’s why it’s worth understanding what’s behind these marks: what causes them, how to prevent them, and what really helps fade them over time. And that’s exactly what we’re diving into in this blog.

So let’s get started.

What Is Hyperpigmentation?

The word ‘hyper’ means too much, and ‘pigment’ means colour. Therefore, hyperpigmentation refers to the excess formation of pigments in certain parts of the skin. 

The dark patches may form on your face, neck, arms or other parts of the body. But most commonly, they are seen on the parts which are frequently exposed to the sun. These patches of hyperpigmentation may be of different colours, ranging from brown and black to grey, red and even pink. You may develop them just in one area, or they may form on different parts of your body as well.¹

The Different Types Of Hyperpigmentation

There are different types of hyperpigmentation that can form on your face or other body parts. Broadly, they can be categorised as harmless ones or those that have a deeper underlying cause. Let’s look at some of them and also understand which category they belong to:²

1. Freckles

These are tiny brown dots that show up after sun exposure, especially on lighter skin tones. They’re mostly harmless and more about genetics than skin damage. You don’t need any medical treatment for it unless for cosmetic reasons.

2. Age Spots

Also called sun spots or liver spots, these flat brown patches show up with age and sun exposure. Also harmless, they can be faded with regular skincare and sun protection.

3. Melasma

Melasma looks like blotchy brown patches, often on the cheeks (in a butterfly pattern on either side) or forehead. It’s usually triggered by hormonal changes, such as in pregnancy, or by the sun. 

4. Maturational Hyperpigmentation

This type of hyperpigmentation is common in darker skin tones. This shows up as general darkening around face folds, forehead, and neck. And it’s often linked to friction, heat, or chronic irritation.

5. Dark Circles

You may be surprised to learn that they don’t always come from a lack of sleep! It can occur due to skin thinning with age, allergies or even genetics. Usually harmless, but yes, they can make you look tired even when you’re not.

6. Acanthosis Nigricans

If you’ve noticed thick, velvety dark skin on your neck, underarms or groin, it could be this. Acanthosis Nigricans is often linked to insulin resistance or hormonal imbalances, so it’s best to get it checked with a doctor.

7. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

These are the dark spots left behind after pimples, rashes, burns or cuts. The skin heals after they are gone, but the marks they leave behind can stick around without the right care.

Symptoms Of Hyperpigmentation

Generally, the symptoms of hyperpigmentation are none other than skin darkening itself. But if you do notice any other signs, you must reach out to a doctor for a proper diagnosis.¹

What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is mainly caused by skin darkening as a result of excess melanin production and accumulation in certain areas of the skin. That said, there could be several factors triggering this overproduction of melanin:¹

1. Hormonal Disorders Or Changes

Hormonal imbalances, like during PCOS, menopause, or while taking birth control pills, can trigger melanin overproduction, especially around the cheeks and upper lip. That’s one of the reasons why many women notice patches during hormonal shifts.

2. Genetics

Sometimes, it’s just in your genes. If your parents or grandparents had uneven skin tone or pigmented patches, there’s a higher chance your skin might react the same way over time.

3. Skin Injury

Cuts, burns, acne, or even harsh scrubbing can leave behind dark marks as the skin heals. It’s called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and it’s quite common, especially on darker skin tones.

4. Medications

Some medicines like antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, or even chemotherapy, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight or trigger pigmentation directly. If you notice these changes, you might wanna discuss the same with your doctor.

5. Vitamin Deficiency

Low levels of certain vitamins, especially B12, folic acid, or even vitamin D, can throw off your skin’s balance. This can lead to dullness, patchiness, or unexpected dark spots.

6. Sun Exposure

Too much sun? Hello, pigmentation! UV rays signal your skin to make more melanin as protection, which shows up as tan lines, sun spots, or even stubborn patches.

7. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormone levels skyrocket, leading to melasma, or what many call the “pregnancy mask.” These brownish patches often show up on the forehead, cheeks, or upper lip and may fade after the baby is born.

How Is Hyperpigmentation Diagnosed?

There are several ways for your doctor to check for hyperpigmentation on your face or body.¹

1. Checking your medical history.
2. A physical examination of your skin.
3. Physically observing your skin under a Wood’s Lamp.
4. Prescribing blood tests, or in some cases, a biopsy.

How Is Hyperpigmentation Treated?

Hyperpigmentation is generally treated by addressing its cause. This may include sun protection, stopping medications (if any of them are causing the pigmentation) and taking vitamin supplements.¹

Additionally, your doctor may prescribe certain medications (corticosteroids, tretinoin, bleach) or suggest a cosmetic procedure like chemical peels, laser-based therapies, etc.¹

However, many of these can have unwanted side effects. So make sure you discuss the same with your doctor, particularly if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Is It Possible To Treat Hyperpigmentation At Home

With the combination of the right diet, lifestyle changes (such as sun protection) and a good skincare routine, it might be possible to improve hyperpigmentation on your skin. 

You can try our Skin Brightening Serum that’s formulated with powerful plant extracts such as NaturePep® Pea & Bakuchiol (nature’s very own retinoid), which work together to visibly reduce pigmentation in just 28 days.^{3 4}

The serum is Ecocert certified to be natural and cellularly tested for safety and efficacy. This makes it perfectly safe — especially for pregnant and breastfeeding moms!

To Sum It Up

Hyperpigmentation on the face (or any part of your body) can be annoying. Though mostly harmless, it can make you more self-conscious. But the best thing you can do is address the root cause of it. Protect yourself from the sun as much as possible and consider natural skincare solutions that promise results without causing harmful side effects.

If none of these help, you should consult a dermatologist for personalised skincare advice.

Frequently Ask Questions