I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
Hyperpigmentation is a relatively common occurrence, but the indications and signs of what hyperpigmentation can mean for you are quite varied and carry along a wide array of consequences. This brief article will serve to inform you on some of the things that hyperpigmentation can mean for you and how you can go about beginning to address the problem.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a darkening of the skin in localized areas. Hyperpigmentation generally affects the epidermal, or outer layer of the skin. In some cases, hyperpigmentation will also affect the nails.
Although hyperpigmentation in and of itself is not a dangerous disease or disorder, it can be indicative of some larger, more dangerous problems from which you may be suffering. For example, if you notice that you might be suffering from hyperpigmentation, this might be a sign that you are, in addition, suffering from Addison's disease.
Addison's disease is a disease that causes the body to lack adrenaline, which can cause exhaustion, stomach pains and even in some cases, it will cause the sufferer to slip into a coma. Adrenaline is largely related to the production of melanin, and a lack of adrenaline can cause your body to produce an abundance of melanin, thus causing hyperpigmentation. However, most causes of hyperpigmentation are benign. Hyperpigmentation treatment is sought due to the fact that many people feel like hyperpigmentation is cosmetically unappealing.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation caused by an abundance of melanin in the system. Melanin is the active agent in the body that grants the skin a darker hue. The reason for the body over generating melanin is a bit nebulous, however.
No one is for sure exactly why the body will, in some cases, generate more melanin in localized area, although hyperpigmentation tends to appear mainly on the head or the back of the hands, more than anywhere else on the body.
Although a causal relation between outside sources and the body over generating melanin has not been quite pinned down, there are several correspondences between phenomenon and the body generating too much melanin. For example, UV rays are generally thought to increase melanin activity, so being outside on sunny days may cause you to be more prone to experiencing hyperpigmentation.
How Is Hyperpigmentation Treated By A Dermatologist?
Although hyperpigmentation can be unsightly, there are a variety of ways that a dermatologist can help treat your hyperpigmentation. In most cases, a dermatologist will simply prescribe you a topical cream that will serve to lighten the skin and alleviate the damage that hyperpigmentation has caused to the outer layer of your skin. If you have less severe problems, your dermatologist might also recommend mild microdermabrasion. This can be done in your dermatologists office, and will usually require a few sessions to see results.
There are a bit more extreme cases of hyperpigmentation, however. In these cases, there are a variety of methods that a dermatologist might use to correct the problem. Perhaps the most common of these heavy-duty procedures is a chemical peel, in which chemicals are applied to the skin that lightly burn away the epidermal layer. When the face heals and regenerates skin, it will be of a tone that was roughly what it was before you experienced hyperpigmentation. Usually you will need to have a few sessions wherein you receive a chemical peel before your hyperpigmentation lightens to a shade that more closely matches the rest of your skin.
Hyperpigmentation is a relatively common skin phenomenon, and it is generally nothing to fear. You can click here for info about cosmetic options or consult with your local dermatologist to find ways that will help rejuvenate your skin and bring it back to its original tone and hue.
Share18 June 2015
