Melanin is a pigment produced by melanocyte cells in the skin. It gives skin it’s colour. Sometimes Melanin can be over produced and result in ares of hyperpigmentation, which appear as darker patches.

​

These dark patches can appear for different reasons:

​

1. Age - ‘age spots’ or ‘solar lentigines’ appear with time, due to damage from the sun

2. Melasma are darker patches that appear mainly on the face due to hormonal changes, so they often appear during pregnancy or due to being on a contraceptive pill.

3. Acne and other causes of scarring can results in pigmented lesions

4. Freckles can be naturally occurring and people tend to be predispositioned to them. They can, however, become more obvious and plentiful after sun exposure.

​

​

​