Causes of hyperpigmentation
Beginner · SESH Academy
Learn the mechanism and apply it to a practical routine.
Melanocytes produce pigment and transfer it to surrounding cells. The diagram explains a mechanism; colour alone does not diagnose a dark spot.
Open full-size image ↗Core idea
Melanocytes produce melanin, which contributes to skin color and partial natural UV protection. UV, hormonal influences and inflammation after acne or eczema can affect pigment production and distribution, causing dark patches. Dark appearance alone does not establish a diagnosis.
Look beneath the label
After inflammatory acne, brown or grey marks may remain: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Chronic sun exposure can produce sun spots; melasma often creates symmetrical facial patches and has multifactorial triggers. Different causes respond to different care.
Apply what you learned
Address ongoing causes: avoid picking, manage active inflammation and use broad-spectrum sun protection. Compare marks every few weeks in consistent lighting; fading often takes time. Rapidly changing, bleeding or irregular lesions warrant evaluation.
Locate ultraviolet and visible light within the spectrum. This is not a sunscreen protection test; protection must be assessed from product data and testing.
Open full-size image ↗Why inflammation can leave a mark
Inflammatory signaling can increase melanin production and alter its distribution. Brown or gray discoloration may persist after the pimple itself is gone. Fading differs with pigment location, baseline skin tone, inflammation severity and UV exposure.
Prevention is part of the plan
If you address old marks while picking new pimples or neglecting sun protection, fresh marks can mask improvement. Identify whether active breakouts need management first, then build photoprotection and treatment around the real cause rather than relying on one brightening serum.
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