There are many different types of pigmentation including hyperpigmentation, age spots, brown spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, freckles, solar lentigines and melasma.
Abnormal skin pigmentation occurs when there is excess in melanin production, which forms deposits in the skin. This can be triggered by a variety of factors including hormones, genetics, medication, the ageing process, skin diseases such as acne and injuries to the skin, but by far the biggest cause is sun damage.
Although skin pigmentation is in most cases harmless, many people seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. Wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen is the most important factor in preventing skin pigmentation however there are a wide variety of treatment for pigmentation including prescription products such as hydroquinone, tretinoin and Retin-A as well as non-prescription topical, chemical peels and laser and light treatments.