Hyperpigmentation is the technical term for when your skin darkens. Dark spots are often caused by excess melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. The melanin can build up in patches and make the skin appear darker than the skin around it. Dark spots can be caused by many things including prescription medications, certain health or skin conditions, excessive sun exposure, or infections.
Sometimes dark spots can be caused by more serious conditions such as skin cancer. It is important to be familiar with your own skin and schedule a yearly physical exam with your healthcare provider in person if you have any suspicious skin spots. If you notice spots or marks on your skin that are changing in number, size, or shape over time, you should see a dermatologist for a more comprehensive skin exam.
Our medical team can prescribe a specially compounded cream to treat dark spots that contains three active ingredients:
- Hydroquinone - brightens dark spots.
- Tretinoin - promotes skin cell turnover, allowing brighter skin cells to surface.
- Hydrocortisone - a steroid that reduces any irritation or inflammation that can be caused by tretinoin and hydroquinone in patients with sensitive skin.