Skin discolouration can appear in different forms as dark spots, age spots, post-blemish marks or redness—and can show up differently on various skin tones. In general, lighter skin tones tend to be more prone to sunspots. Medium skin tones are more prone to age spots and darker skin tones are more prone to blemish marks. Skin discolouration often appears on your face and neck but can even show up on your hands and body!
What Causes Skin Discolouration?
Skin discolouration can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Hyperpigmentation: This occurs when areas of the skin become darker than the surrounding skin due to an excess production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by factors such as:
Sun Exposure: UV radiation from the sun stimulates the production of melanin, leading to sunspots, freckles, and overall uneven skin tone.
Melasma: Hormonal changes, often during pregnancy or while taking birth control pills, can trigger Melasma, which are larger patches of hyperpigmentation on the face.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): This occurs after an inflammatory skin condition or a skin injury. Once the inflammation subsides, the skin can darken in the affected areas.
Hypopigmentation: This is the opposite of hyperpigmentation and refers to areas of the skin that are lighter than the surrounding skin. It can be caused by:
Vitiligo: An autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing Melanin.
Post-Inflammatory Hypopigmentation: Similar to PIH, but in this case, the skin loses Melanin instead of producing more. It can occur after skin injuries or certain inflammatory conditions.
Certain Skin Conditions: Some skin conditions can result in lighter patches on the skin.
In conclusion, skin discolouration interferes with the overall clarity of your complexion. It can and will show up in different forms through different stages of your life. Regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the skin from UV damage is crucial to prevent many types of skin discolouration.