Are you getting unusual skin discoloration out of nowhere? Your hormones might be the culprit.
Our skin often reveals what’s happening inside our bodies, and when hormonal fluctuations occur, it could show up as uneven spots and patches. Worse, discoloration may occur in the most visible areas like the face, neck, chest, and arms.
Although this discoloration is harmless by itself, it can take its toll on your confidence. Good thing, a local skin and beauty center like Pure Skin Laser Center can offer various treatments to restore your skin’s smooth glow.
In this post, we discuss common causes of hormonal skin discoloration and the best treatment you can get. We also answered more questions below to help you understand your skin condition better!
What is hormonal skin discoloration?
Hormonal changes, such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuations, can influence melanocyte activity. Melanocytes are specialized cells that produce melanin, or the colored pigments of our skin, eyes, and hair.
Hormonal imbalances and changes could signal melanocytes to overproduce melanin, causing darker patches on the skin. Also, hormonal fluctuations can cause increased melanin production in certain areas, causing uneven skin patches or blotches.
But how come most hormonal skin discoloration occurs on the face, neck, arms, and genital area? These areas have the highest concentration of melanocytes, which is why they are common spots for hyperpigmentation.
What causes skin discoloration (hormonal)?
A variety of bodily changes and medical conditions can trigger hormone-related skin discoloration. In fact, women are more prone to hormonal skin pigmentation than men due to higher fluctuations in sex hormones.
Here are some of the common causes of hormonal skin discoloration:
1. Pregnancy
Skin discoloration is extremely common during pregnancy, affecting up to 90% of expectant mothers.
Melasma, also known as the “mask of pregnancy”, is a very common skin discoloration on the face among pregnant women. It appears as gray-brown or brown patches on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and nose bridge.
The sudden surge of estrogen and progesterone stimulates melanin production, leading to darkened skin patches. Pregnancy melasma may or may not fade after giving birth, though it may stick for years or even a lifetime.
Aside from melasma, pregnant women may also develop linea nigra. This is the vertical pigmentation that runs down the belly button to the pubic area. This pigmentation often resolves on its own after delivery.
2. Menopause
During menopause, a woman’s estrogen levels take a massive drop. When this happens, your melanocytes don’t get as much ‘control’ from estrogen anymore, leading to increased pigmentation.
Also, as we age, our skin becomes more prone to sun damage. Prolonged sun exposure will make your existing dark spots worse, or even make new ones pop up.
3. Hormonal contraceptives
Do you start getting dark spots while on the pill? It could be due to the synthetic hormones on your contraceptives triggering the overproduction of melanin.
Hormonal contraceptives contain hormones that put your body in a state of “artificial pregnancy”. This “artificial pregnancy” triggers similar effects as an actual pregnancy, including melasma.
Aside from that, birth control medications with estrogen can cause ‘spider veins’, or damaged blood vessels near the surface of the skin. This may appear as red, purple, or blue thin lines branching out like a spider’s web.
4. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition among women in their reproductive years. Women with PCOS have higher than normal male hormones, also known as androgens.
This hormonal fluctuation can make a woman prone to acne breakouts, excessive body hair growth, and dark patches on the neck and underarms.
The only way to manage PCOS hyperpigmentation is to treat the underlying cause. It’s best to consult your physician for the best treatment option that suits your unique condition.
5. Thyroid disorders
The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland that sits in your neck. It plays a huge role in producing hormones and regulating key functions, such as breathing and heartbeat. So, when thyroid disease occurs, you’ll experience a slew of symptoms, including skin discoloration.
Skin changes from thyroid disease include a yellowish-orange color on the soles and palms. You may also develop darker skin in the creases of your palms, gums, and other parts of your mouth. While most of these skin changes occur on the face, some may develop skin discoloration on the legs and feet.
6. High stress levels
Constant stress can throw your hormones out of whack. When you’re stressed, your cortisol (stress hormones) levels surge, which can disrupt other hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
The result? Increased body inflammation, slowed healing, and pigment changes on your skin. Failing to manage your stress levels will make you more likely to develop skin problems, such as melasma, eczema, acne breakouts, and hives.
What’s the best skin discoloration treatment?
1. Laser therapy
Laser technologies, such as the Candela PicoWay available at Pure Skin Laser Center, target pigments beneath the skin. It’s an effective treatment for epidermal and dermal melasma without damaging the surrounding tissues.
You’ll need multiple sessions to see substantial results from laser therapy. The total number of sessions depends on the severity of your skin discoloration and your skin type. Most clients will need around 4 to 6 sessions at the beginning.
If you want to know how many laser sessions you’ll need, you can book a consultation with our laser specialist.
2. Chemical peels
Chemical peels strip the outer layer of your skin to reveal smoother and even-toned skin. It’s available in light, medium, and deep formulations – the stronger the formulation, the deeper it can penetrate the skin.
Chemical peels can reduce melasma, sun spots, age spots, freckles, and other pigmentations. However, for stubborn skin discolorations, you may need to combine chemical peels with other treatments to get better results.
3. Microneedling
Microneedling can help reduce the appearance of hormone-related skin discoloration. This treatment uses a derma-roller with tiny needles to create micro-injuries, triggering the skin’s natural healing response.
As the skin heals, it stimulates collagen and elastin production, which improves your complexion and skin texture.
Microneedling is typically combined with serums like vitamin C and retinoids to enhance the brightening effect for hyperpigmentation. The tiny injuries also allow for better product absorption deeper into the skin.
4. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a gentle skin resurfacing treatment similar to microneedling. But instead of tiny needles, it uses a diamond-tipped wand that exfoliates the skin of dead skin cells and trapped dirt.
Through microdermabrasion, you can reduce surface pigmentation and enhance product absorption. Typically, microdermabrasion is paired with a skin discoloration cream or serums that brighten the complexion.
Need expert advice? Talk to our skin specialist today!
Not sure which treatment works best for your skin discoloration? Need more guidance about your treatment options? Book a consultation with us at Pure Skin Laser Center! Our aesthetic specialist with 10+ years of experience will evaluate your skin and recommend the best treatment.
We’ve helped 1,000+ clients in North Hollywood achieve smoother and clearer skin with our FDA-approved treatments. Contact us if you’re dealing with melasma and other types of hyperpigmentation – our non-invasive treatments will improve your skin tone with very little downtime!
FAQs about hormonal skin discoloration
How to tell if pigmentation is hormonal?
To know if your pigmentation is hormonal, you should check its location (usually on the neck and face), timing (pregnancy or menopause), and appearance (usually flat). Still, the best way to determine hormonal skin discoloration is to undergo proper testing to check your hormone levels.
Is vitamin C good for hyperpigmentation?
Skincare products with vitamin C are known for their brightening effect. While vitamin C itself doesn’t cure or fully eliminate hyperpigmentation, it can greatly reduce its appearance. Still, you should use a vitamin C product with the right dosage and formulation that suits your condition.
Does hormonal pigmentation go away on its own?
Why is my skin getting darker for no reason?
Sudden skin discoloration can stem from various causes, including sun exposure, hormonal changes, medications, underlying health conditions, and natural aging. It’s best to consult your physician if you suspect hormonal fluctuations or any medical problems.
