Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation refers to areas of skin where an excess of melanin has been produced and formed deposits, causing skin patches that appear darker than the surrounding skin. Common skin areas that experience hyperpigmentation or dyschromia are the face, arms, and hands.  Age spots, liver spots, freckles, sun spots, melasma, and any typical dark or brown spots in the skin are examples of hyperpigmentation. 

Although sun exposure, hormonal changes, and heredity are often causes of hyperpigmentation, botched skin treatments are also sometimes known to cause hyperpigmentation.  A variety of skin peels, laser and light treatments, as well as prescription skin creams containing hydroquinone are often used to treat hyperpigmentation.