Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of the pigment melanin is deposited in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in the skin that gives the skin its color.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation develops when a wound, rash, pimple, or other stimuli causes skin inflammation, which triggers the skin to produce too much melanin. The excess melanin darkens and discolors the wounded area. This discoloration remains even after the wound or rash has healed.

Melasma occurs when a fluctuation in hormones triggers the skin to produce excess melanin. Pregnancy or birth control pills can trigger overproduction of melanin that causes the “mask of pregnancy” on the face, arms and other areas.

Products

Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is a widely used treatment for hyperpigmentation. It is available over-the-counter at 1{256d1e8b25b48cb3fd52c7e6d99f62cf8e092061094cd35cb21cca3f2ac29e6e} to 2{256d1e8b25b48cb3fd52c7e6d99f62cf8e092061094cd35cb21cca3f2ac29e6e} strength, and in 3{256d1e8b25b48cb3fd52c7e6d99f62cf8e092061094cd35cb21cca3f2ac29e6e} to 4{256d1e8b25b48cb3fd52c7e6d99f62cf8e092061094cd35cb21cca3f2ac29e6e} prescription creams. Hydroquinone works by blocking the enzyme responsible for melanin production, thereby lightening the skin. Hydroquinone creams often contain additional lightening ingredients, such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, tretinoin or other retinoids, or vitamin C. These combination creams can give you better results than using hydroquinone alone. Hydroquinone creams should be carefully applied to darkened areas only to prevent the unwanted lightening of your natural skin color.

Several products can be used to treat hyperpigmentation including:

  • Glytone Clarifying Cream (contains 4{256d1e8b25b48cb3fd52c7e6d99f62cf8e092061094cd35cb21cca3f2ac29e6e} hydroquinone)
  • Glytone Sunvanish (contains 4{256d1e8b25b48cb3fd52c7e6d99f62cf8e092061094cd35cb21cca3f2ac29e6e} hydroquinone)
  • Skin Medica Lytera
  • Skin Medica Retinol