An Overview of Hyperpigmentation

For the purposes of this article, we will refer to skin pigmentations such as:

Freckles
Sun spots (solar lentigines)
Melasma
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

How does pigment form on the skin?

Melanin is a pigment produced by melanocytes in the skin, a cell that lives in the basal (deepest) layer of the epidermis. Melanin is an antioxidant that protects against free radicals (which damage our cells), as well as help absorb UV rays.

Melanin refers to pigment formed on the skin produced by melanocytes (a type of cell).

Within organelles called melanosomes (like the internal organs within the melanocyte), melanin is synthesized through a process called melanogenasis. Part of melanogenasis is signaling tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related-protein-2 (TRP-2). Tyrosinase is a copper-containing enzyme whose job it is to control the production of melanin.

Melanocytes produce two types of pigments:

Eumelanin: brown to black pigment

Pheomelanin: yellow to reddish pigment

What triggers melanin production?

Sun exposure
Hormones
Pregnancy
Stress
Medications
Skin injuries such as a burn or cut

Antioxidants…

Suppress melanogenasis by interacting with the copper ion that is associated with tyrosinase, thus reducing its activity
Trap or scavenge free radicals produced in the skin, which prevents them from promoting melanogenasis
Prevent skin damage and aging induced by oxidative stress in general

Best practices to help mitigate hyperpigmentation:

Eating a diet rich in antioxidants to help scavenge free radicals and prevent them from damaging your skin
Treating your skin daily with a tyrosinase-inhibiting aka an antioxidant-rich brightening serum
Lessening sun exposure and avoiding sunburn
Mindfulness practices to help keep stress at bay