Hyperpigmentation Q&A

If you’re feeling self-conscious due to skin hyperpigmentation, which is the darkening of the skin in specific areas, you don’t have to live with it any longer. The experienced medical team at Health and Beauty Associates in Charlotte, North Carolina, effectively diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation using a laser treatment called Cynosure® Icon™. Call their office to learn more, or book an appointment online.

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General Questions

What is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition that’s usually harmless but causes patches of skin to become darker in color than the surrounding skin.

Hyperpigmentation occurs when the brown pigment melanin forms in excess in specific areas of your body. Common types of hyperpigmentation include:

Lentigines

Lentigines, also known as liver spots, are small, dark, and often oval-shaped patches found on the face or back of the hands. Your risk for liver spots increases with age and high amounts of sun exposure.

Melasma

Another common type of hyperpigmentation is called melasma, or chloasma. Melasma is similar to liver spots but appears in more significant areas of skin, which is caused by an overproduction of melanin. Melasma often looks like splotchy skin containing numerous darker patches.

Freckles and birthmarks

Freckles are a type of hyperpigmentation characterized by small, darker spots that can appear in clumps anywhere on the body — especially the face and arms.

Birthmarks are similar to liver spots, but they vary in color, shape, and size.

What causes hyperpigmentation?

Genetics is often the cause of hyperpigmentation. Autoimmune disorders and certain medications may also lead to hyperpigmentation, and extensive sun exposure can cause liver spots to form over time.

Hormone changes, as in the case of pregnancy or taking birth control pills, can also be a primary cause of melasma.

What is the treatment for hyperpigmentation?

Treatments for hyperpigmentation often include prescription creams, cryotherapy, or laser therapy. The skilled team of physicians at Health and Beauty Associates use state-of-the-art Icon laser treatment to diminish the appearance of dark skin spots permanently.

Treatment with the Icon laser is powerful and takes just minutes with visible results after only one session. It’s a non-invasive treatment with minimal discomfort, and it reduces dark skin patches due to:

Sun damage
Liver spots
Melasma
Birthmarks
Moles
Freckles

The Icon laser system also includes a cooling system that eases potential discomfort. There’s little to no downtime afterward so that you can resume normal day-to-day activities immediately after treatment sessions.

When you’re ready to reduce your skin hyperpigmentation, call Health and Beauty Associates. Book your appointment online today.