Hyperpigmentation

Key facts

• Hyperpigmentation is a broad term for patches of skin that turn darker than the surrounding area. It is not harmful, but it is one of the most common cosmetic skin concerns.
• The darkening comes from excess melanin, the pigment made by cells called melanocytes. UV exposure, hormonal shifts (melasma is common in pregnancy), acne or other skin trauma, and certain medications can all push melanocyte activity higher.
• Melanin-rich skin often shows marks more readily and takes longer to fade, and consistent sun exposure keeps reactivating the pigment even after successful treatment.
• Hydroquinone is the most studied topical treatment; it inhibits the enzyme that drives melanin production and is applied only to the affected patches for a defined course.

Why the skin darkens and what keeps it that way

Melanocytes step up pigment production in response to a trigger, and several common ones exist: UV exposure, hormonal changes such as pregnancy (melasma), acne or other skin trauma, and some medications. In skin with higher baseline melanin, these marks tend to appear more readily and fade more slowly, which is why the same trigger can leave a longer-lasting mark on some people than others. Sun exposure is a near-constant driver in warm, high-UV climates, and hyperpigmentation recurs whenever sun protection lapses, even after successful treatment.

Topical treatment for skin care

The most studied topical ingredient for hyperpigmentation is hydroquinone, which works by inhibiting the enzyme that drives melanin synthesis. It is applied in a thin layer to the affected patches only, not the whole face, and used for a defined course rather than indefinitely. Results tend to appear gradually over several weeks. Sunscreen alongside any depigmenting agent is not optional: UV exposure reactivates melanocyte activity and undoes progress. Browse the skin care range for related products.

When to see a doctor

See a dermatologist if a patch is new, rapidly enlarging, or changing in texture, so other causes can be ruled out before treatment begins.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.