New Video Abstract
Featuring Pearl Grimes, MD, FAAD, Department of Dermatology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Hyperpigmentation is characterized by uneven skin tone, commonly due to excess melanin production.1 Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common dyschromias and is more prevalent in individuals with higher concentrations of melanin in the skin.1-3 Two common types of hyperpigmentation are melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).1,4 Melasma is characterized by tan-brown patches of pigmentation across the cheeks, nose, forehead, and other areas of the face.2 The development of melasma is caused by several factors, including genetics, UV and visible light radiation, and hormonal influences, including oral contraception, hormone replacement therapies, and pregnancy.5-7 PIH is an inflammatory hypermelanosis caused by a cutaneous inflammatory response, such as to acne, burns, picking of the skin, or certain cosmetic procedures.1,4 Melasma and PIH can have negative psychosocial impacts on individuals with either condition, including low self-esteem and emotional well-being.
