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It occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. It can affect people of all skin types. Hyperpigmentation is very common on skin of color, as darker skin tones already have a higher melanin content. Burns, bruises, acne, rashes, or other trauma to the skin can cause it to produce more melanin and lead to dark spots. Types of hyperpigmentation include: age spots, also called “liver” spotsmelasmapost-inflammatory hyperpigmentation Some medications and certain health conditions can also lead to hyperpigmentation. In this article, find out about different causes of hyperpigmentation and the treatments available. We discuss these below. Types and symptoms Share on PinterestSeventyFour/Getty ImagesHyperpigmentation is a common skin condition affecting people of all skin types. Below is a table of the most common types of hyperpigmentation and their symptoms:TypeSymptomsWhere on the body?Who can it affect?age spots, also called liver spots or solar lentiginesbrown, tan, or black spots that appear on the skin with sun overexposurecommonly on the face and hands or on sun-exposed areas of the bodyusually older adults or those with extended sun exposuremelasma, also called chloasma or “the mask of pregnancy”large patches of darkened skinoften on the forehead, face, and stomachusually women, people who are pregnant or taking birth control pills, and those with medium to darker skinpost-inflammatory hyperpigmentationspots or patches of darkened skin that appear after an inflammatory skin condition, such as acne or eczemaanywhere on the bodypeople who have had inflammation or an injury to the skin Sun spots are more common in areas with frequent sun exposure, including the face, arms, and legs. Share on PinterestThis shows melasma on the face. Photography courtesy of Cureus/PubMed Central Photography courtesy of Int J Womens Dermatol/PubMed CentralShare on PinterestThis shows age spots. Photography courtesy of Cureus/PubMed CentralShare on PinterestThis shows inflammation-induced hyperpigmentation. SeventyFour/Getty ImagesShare on PinterestThis shows inflammation-induced hyperpigmentation after a rash. Healthline/Getty ImagesPost-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur after skin inflammation resulting from an injury, cuts, burns, acne, or lupus. It can occur anywhere on the body, but sun exposure can make it more pronounced. Having extra pigment in some areas of skin is usually harmless but can sometimes indicate another medical condition, such as Addison’s disease. How to get rid of hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation is often harmless and may require no treatment at all. However, some people may prefer to remove it. For those who do, various treatment methods and home remedies may help. Topical creams Many people use topical treatments to treat hyperpigmentation. Topical treatments will include ingredients that can lighten the skin, such as:azelaic acidcysteamine creamvitamin Chydroquinonecorticosteroidskojic acidretinoids, such as tretinoinarbutinglycolic acid peelsmequinolniacinamideN-acetyl glucosaminesoy Creams containing steroids and hydroquinone can take 3–6 months to affect the skin color. Some skin-lightening creams, such as steroids and hydroquinone cream, have been linked to: skin rashes and irritationstinginginflammationsteroid-induced acne, leading to scarring and recurrence of hyperpigmentationthin skinreddening of the skinskin soresxeroderma, or extreme drynessan allergic reaction or contact dermatitisblue and purple pigmentation after long-term use, known as exogenous ochronosis — though this is rare People should speak with a doctor before using skin-lightening products, as they may cause adverse effects. Always purchase products from a reputable source and follow the instructions on the pack. These products should not be used to lighten complexion. Cosmetic procedures Some cosmetic procedures can also lighten areas of skin to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Cosmetic procedures for hyperpigmentation include:laser therapyintense pulsed lightchemical peels People considering whether to undergo one of these procedures should discuss the process and possible side effects with a skin care specialist or dermatologist. They can possibly worsen hyperpigmentation by injuring the outer layer of the skin. Home remedies for hyperpigmentation It may also be possible to lighten areas of hyperpigmentation using natural remedies. However, there are no large-scale studies in humans to confirm that any of these remedies are effective. If a person wishes to try a new treatment or natural remedy, they should always try the product on a small patch of skin first and stop using it if it irritates the skin. A 2018 review suggests that the following natural treatments may help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation: Aloe vera Aloesin, a compound present in aloe vera, may lighten hyperpigmentation. Aloesin works by inhibiting the production of melanin in the skin. A 2017 study suggests that taking aloe vera capsules can relieve melasma in pregnancy. People can apply aloe vera gel from the plant directly to the skin daily. However, no research has directly linked aloe vera to reduced areas of hyperpigmentation, so scientists do not yet know the effectiveness of this technique. Licorice Licorice extracts may lighten hyperpigmentation. Research from 2019 suggests that a licorice extract called glabridin can have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-whitening effects. People can use creams containing glabridin on areas of hyperpigmentation. Green tea Green tea extracts may improve hyperpigmentation. Researchers have long studied green tea for its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Very limited research suggests that green tea extracts can improve melasma and reduce sunburn. More research is needed before scientists can fully understand whether or not green tea can improve symptoms. Causes of hyperpigmentation The cause of hyperpigmentation depends on the type. The most common causes are: Sun exposure The body produces more melanin to protect the skin from prolonged exposure to the sun. This can cause dark spots or patches on the skin called age spots or sun spots. Skin inflammation Areas of skin can darken after people have had inflammation of the skin. This can include acne, eczema, lupus, or an injury to the skin. People with darker skin are more likely to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Melasma Darker patches of skin can form when people experience hormonal changes. This type of hyperpigmentation is common during pregnancy. Reactions to drug use Certain medications, such as antimalarial drugs and tricyclic antidepressants, can cause hyperpigmentation. In these cases, patches of skin may turn gray. Chemicals in topical treatments can also sometimes cause hyperpigmentation. Medical conditions More serious causes of hyperpigmentation include Addison’s disease and hemochromatosis. Addison’s disease affects the adrenal glands. It can cause hyperpigmentation in certain areas of the body, including the:folds of the skinlipselbows and kneesknucklestoesinside of the cheek Hemochromatosis is an inherited condition that causes the body to contain too much iron. It can cause hyperpigmentation, making the skin appear darker or tanned. Hyperpigmentation can occur when iron levels are five times higher than usual. Melasma in pregnancy Melasma usually covers a larger area than other types of hyperpigmentation, and it usually appears on the face. Melasma more often affects females than males. It is more common in individuals with light-brown to darker skin tones and may run in families. Doctors are unsure about what causes melasma, but a change in hormones can trigger it, for example, during pregnancy or when using birth control pills. People sometimes call it the mask of pregnancy, but it can also occur on the abdomen. Melasma typically disappears when pregnancy ends or the person stops taking birth control pills. If it does not fade, a doctor may recommend: avoiding sun exposure using a topical cream that contains zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or iron oxideusing another medication for other types of hyperpigmentation, such as hydroquinone using camouflage makeup until melasma fadeshaving a procedure such as a chemical peel, microneedling, or laser or light treatment For procedures such as laser treatment, it is essential to see a board certified dermatologist. Diagnosis A doctor can identify the type and cause of hyperpigmentation. They will likely do so by: examining the skin, possibly with a special light called a Wood’s lightasking about medical historyasking about sun exposure and other lifestyle events or habitsin some cases, taking a biopsy, or a small sample of skin, to help rule out skin cancer They will then help make a treatment plan to suit the individual. Prevention It is not always possible to prevent hyperpigmentation or stop it from becoming more prominent, but there are some ways to reduce the risk. You can do so by:protecting the skin from the sun by using a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and wearing clothes that protect the skin avoiding picking at the skin after an injury or when there are spots, scabs, or acneseeking professional advice before using creams to lighten dark patches, as this can cause reactionsavoiding skin-lightening products to lighten the overall complexion Frequently asked questions What are the types of hyperpigmentation The three main types include age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory trauma. Post-inflammatory trauma can result from an injury, sun exposure, or a skin condition, such as acne. What triggers hyperpigmentation Triggers include sun exposure, hormonal changes, and trauma to the skin, for example, due to acne or an injury. Picking at scabs and spots may make it worse. Some face creams can irritate the skin, leading to further hyperpigmentation. How do you get rid of hyperpigmentation A person should protect their skin from the sun by using sunscreen and clothing that covers the body and shades the face. Various topical creams can help. If they do not, procedures such as laser treatment may help. A person should seek medical advice before using any creams. Summary Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that can occur for many reasons. Types of hyperpigmentation include age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is often harmless, but people may choose to remove or reduce it. Options include avoiding sun exposure and using removal techniques such as cosmetic treatments, creams, and home remedies. If a person notices other symptoms alongside hyperpigmentation, they should seek advice from a doctor. If a person wants to treat hyperpigmentation for cosmetic reasons, a dermatologist can advise on the best treatment methods. Read the article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022DermatologyCosmetic Medicine / Plastic SurgerySeniors / Aging 16 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Board-certified dermatologist warns consumers about the dangers of skin bleaching to achieve a lighter complexion. (2021).https://www.aad.org/news/dangers-skin-bleaching-to-achieve-lighter-complexionCiganović, P., et al. (2019). 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(2018).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease/symptoms-causesZachary, C. M., et al. (2020). Kojic acid for melasma: Popular ingredient in skincare products.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33160435/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Beth Sissons — Updated on May 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the potential benefits of oatmeal for the skin? Colloidal oatmeal may help reduce dry skin, itchiness, and irritation from certain skin conditions. 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