Hyperpigmentation usually presents itself as age spots, uneven colour, freckles and sometimes melasma (mask of pregnancy), due to excess melanin production and deposition in the skin. The main cause is sun damage or photo-ageing but pigmentation can also be aggravated by other factors, including hormones such as during pregnancy or the contraceptive pill, certain medications and also inflammation following trauma or acne.

Hyperpigmentation, or skin discolouration, affects almost everyone over time. Pigmented spots often appear as a result from sun exposure, heat, medication, hormones, acne breakout or a post inflammatory reaction to a skin injury. The good news is that there are products and technologies that can reduce and sometimes reverse hyperpigmentation altogether.

Sun damage is by far the biggest cause of premature ageing.