Hyperpigmentation

Melanin is a pigment produced by our bodies and affects one’s natural skin color. Melanin production is rooted in genetics, but it can be affected by all sorts of environmental and bodily changes. Acne scars, exposure to the sun, and hormone fluctuations caused by pregnancy can all mess up one’s melanin production.

That may help to explain why hyperpigmentation (the formation of darker patches in one’s face and body) is so prevalent. While common, its intensity varies, and some cases of hyperpigmentation can be particularly noticeable. Mainly harmless, it can be treated for aesthetic reasons with the help of laser therapy.