What is skin pigmentation?
Excessive skin pigmentation is result of abnormal production and deposition of melanin by the melanocytes. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells. The number of melanocytes present in our skin will determine our skin colour. Production of melanin is dependent on UV or sun exposure, and is a natural protective mechanism of the skin. Hyperpigmentation, or areas that are darker than the rest of the skin, result from excess melanin production and deposition. What causes excessive skin pigmentation? Excess skin pigmentation or hyperpigmentation is usually caused by an overwhelming of the melanin-protective system. This leads to excess production and clumping of melanin, and the appearance of brown or darker spots of pigmentation in the skin. Reasons for skin pigmentation problems are; In most cases, especially in an area of high UV levels like Australia, this is caused by excessive UV or sun exposure (most common) Hormonal, as seen in melasma or chloasma that is a type of pigmentation usua
