HYPERPIGMENTATION & HYPOPIGMENTATION SKIN CONDITION! ( part 1)

Hello lovelies & Welcome to another post on skin condition.Hyperpigmentation has been a personal experience of mine after I got saved from acne; (LOL) I also had uneven skin-tone, scars on my face in areas that I had acne. Some were darker, deeper than others and some were easier to remove than others. One thing I believe is,  that the more knowledge you have about a situation the eaiser it is to handle. Here are things I wished I knew on my journey, and I am glad that I get to share it, in hopes, that it will help someone out there.Pigmentation is a normal process in the cellular activity within the skin.  Hyperpigmentation can be dotted, spotted, dappled, and discolored skin and is a pervasive skin concern. Hyperpigmentation results from an uneven distribution of melanin over the skin surface, either due to pigment accumulation, as in the of age spots and lentigo, or because of uneven melanin production by the melanocytes, as in the case of melasma. Hypopigmentation or depigmentation is the loss of skin color in a part of the skin that has been injured, the skin area appears white scars. this occurs when the skin is damaged, sometimes the cells that make melanin or the enzyme required to make melanin are depleted; as the skin heals, the skin is white or lighter instead of the normal pigmented color like the rest of the skin.The melanocyte cell is located in the basal layer of the epidermis, it protects a series of dendrites, and within the melanocytes are the melanosomes that produce melanin.Melanin is produced by the tyrosine protein, which is activated by the tyrosinase enzyme in an oxidative environment ( i. e., due to free radical). UV light exposure and the consequent free radical formation incentives an increase in melanin production but the reaction is also hormonally controlled, which is why melasma can be a result of pregnancy and also the use of contraceptives.The rate of melanin production varies from person to person and from race to race; being greater in darker-skinned individuals. Melanin acts as a filter, protecting the skin and body against the harmful effects of the sun’s radiation ( flex in melanin yes ) :D. Surface irritation, often caused by sun exposure, Pimples, acne un triggers increased melanin production, augmenting the amount of pigment in the skin.Melasma is from the – Greek word melas meaning “ black” referred to irregular, uneven-skin-tone patches usually found on the face.Medical Causes for hyperpigmentation: 

• Haemochromatosis, is due to too much iron circulating in the bloodstream, this can cause bronzy skin pigmentation;
• congenital diseases such as but not limited to, Cushing’s, Addison’s disease, as well as other hormonal imbalances, can cause diffuse dappling pigmentation.
• Also, some prescription medications could make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet rays and environmental exposures

 Flat, darkened skin spots are considered Benign Hyperpigmentation, it can be faded and prevented without medical attention. Women tend to develop Melasma more than men.Hormonal cause: Elevated estrogen and hormone imbalance are major contributors to melasma. excess hormones usually occur from overproduction, toxin stimulation, and inefficiency in the natural hormone elimination process performed by the liver.According to the American Academy of Dermatology, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can cause melasma and sensitivity to the sun. Hormones stimulate the growth of a cell that makes brown pigment ( melanocytes), and natural light stimulates the production of even more brown pigment melanin. Thyroid dysfunction can also lead to hormone imbalances that affect the skin.Thanks for stopping by and welcome back anytime.Love & LightNafsi Botanical