As your summer fun in the sun is wrapping up, you may notice patchy sunspots on your face from a bit too much sun exposure. You may even notice your scars have turned a shade darker. Others may see hyperpigmentation year-round in the form of melasma during/after pregnancy. All these pigment changes in your skin are due to the increased production of melanin.

Melanin is your body’s natural pigment, it is what gives your skin, hair and eyes color. Melanin production increases during sun exposure as it absorbs/reflects harmful rays and helps neutralize free radicals, protecting your body from the harmful effects of UV radiation. While sun exposure is a very common cause of dark spots on the skin, the upregulation of melanin can be due to more than just sun exposure, it can be due to changes in hormones, age, or even tissue injury.

Some causes of hyperpigmentation are out of our control, but at the most basic level, we can protect our skin against the sun. You should use a water-resistant sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 or greater with protection against UVA/UVB rays. Finding a mineral based sunscreen with zinc oxide/titanium dioxide will provide an extra layer of protection by reflecting light away from the surface before the sun penetrates your skin.

If you are looking for basic skincare to treat hyperpigmentation, products like Vitamin C and tretinoin/retinol are great places to start. If you are looking to halt melanin production altogether, you can use hydroquinone-based products, but this should be used with caution and only for short periods of time. You do not want to completely inhibit melanin production in the long term.

Chemical peels, laser resurfacing, broadband light therapy (BBL), and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) are some of the best treatment modalities for pigment concerns. These resurfacing treatments should be repeated throughout the year, and you should make sure to avoid the sun before, during and after treatment. Melasma can be very challenging to treat so I generally recommend first consulting with your local dermatologist for this condition before proceeding with any treatments.

If you have questions about sun protection and keeping your skin looking bright and fresh, please take our skin survey, then call to set up an in-person or telephone consultation with me! ~Layla Shadman, PA-C~