Hyperpigmentation is divided into different categories, depending on the causes:

Melasma

This is a type of hyperpigmentation that is very common in women, especially those with darker skin tones. This skin discoloration usually occurs on different parts of your face like the forehead, nose, cheeks, or just above the lips. And that’s why melasma is a bit difficult to treat. Your body experiences hormonal shifts during pregnancy or when you take oral contraceptives or during hormonal therapies, and this increases when you go out in the sun. Sometimes, it goes away when the hormones are back to normal.

Signs And Symptoms

• Brown patches on the skin
• Typically occurs on the face
• Patches are symmetrical
• Patches usually appear on the forehead, chin, cheeks, and bridge of the nose

Post- Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

This is a condition that results from trauma or skin inflammation such as psoriasis, eczema, and severe acne. These skin conditions increase the production of pigments, causing dark spots. This type of hyperpigmentation can affect people of any skin type, but it is prevalent in those with darker skin tones.

Signs And Symptoms

• The pigmented patches usually appear on the area where the skin inflammation occurred.
• The pigments appear after the inflammation or injury is healed.
• The lesions are usually black or light brown.
• When exposed to sunlight, the patches grow darker.

Freckles

Excessive exposure to sun rays is the most common reason people develop hyperpigmentation. If you have developed hyperpigmentation in your early 30s, remember that the process had already begun when you were in your teens.

Sunspots are usually light brown (generally called freckles) and appear mostly on the face, neck, chest, and hands, which are primarily exposed to UV rays. People who have light to medium skin tones develop freckles, and they get darker with continuous sun exposure.

Solar lentigines or age spots

They are localized brownish spots or patches on the sun-damaged skin. They are commonly located in areas that are exposed to the sun, especially the face and hands. Solar lentigines are common above the age of 40 years as the skin is less able to regenerate from sun exposure. Although this is a benign skin condition, solar lentigines are considered unsightly and some people choose to have them removed.

TREATMENT

1. Protection from sunlight.
   It is very important to avoid sunlight as much as possible. When going outdoor use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or above which offers both UVA and UVB protection. Use umbrella, hat and sunglasses whenever possible.
2. Topical Agents.
   Follow a good skin care routine products that can be used to mask and bleach the pigmentation. These are effective when being applied because they inhibit the chemical conversion that produces the melanin. Once the topical agent is discontinued, there is a possibility pigmentation can come back.
3. Laser therapy.
   Q-switched Nd-YAG laser delivers high-energy nanoseconds pulses to selectively break apart the pigments without damaging the surrounding tissues.  Q-switched Nd-YAG laser from established manufacturer is an effective and safe method of treating pigmentation.
4. Chemical Peels.
   Even in clinical trials, chemical peels have shown promising results in treating hyperpigmentation. 
5. Microdermabrasion.
   This is a procedure in which the topmost layer of your skin is removed (exfoliate and suction them off) by using a device and combined with the infusion of skin-lightening agents into the skin. You will need multiple sessions to get the desired results.