1. What is hyperpigmentation?
2. What can cause hyperpigmentation?
3. Pregnancy can sometimes cause hyperpigmentation:
    A. True
    B. False


The cause of hyperpigmentation is an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives color to our skin. (As a refresher, those with lighter skin have less melanin, and those with darker skin have more melanin.) 

Certain areas of our skin can have extra melanin in comparison to other areas, and this causes the appearance of dark spots. Several things contribute to this:

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is one of the main culprits of hyperpigmentation. Rays from the sun stimulate the production of melanin (the same melanin that helps you tan in the summer), but this can also lead to the development of dark spots and uneven skin tone. 

Skin Injury

When you have a wound, the skin can overproduce melanin in response to the injury. Melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, ramp up production as a protective response, which causes dark spots and discoloration as the skin heals.

This is more common in people with darker skin tones. The response is more intense if the injured area is manipulated, like if you pick at acne spots or scratch at a scab that has formed over an injury.

Melasma

Melasma is when dark, symmetrical patches appear on the face, usually around your cheeks or forehead.

This skin condition is caused by hormonal changes, like those that occur during pregnancy (melasma is nicknamed the "mask of pregnancy"), taking birth control pills. or the onset of menopause.
system
1. What is hyperpigmentation?
2. What can cause hyperpigmentation?
3. Pregnancy can sometimes cause hyperpigmentation:
    A. True
    B. False


The cause of hyperpigmentation is an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives color to our skin. (As a refresher, those with lighter skin have less melanin, and those with darker skin have more melanin.) 

Certain areas of our skin can have extra melanin in comparison to other areas, and this causes the appearance of dark spots. Several things contribute to this:

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is one of the main culprits of hyperpigmentation. Rays from the sun stimulate the production of melanin (the same melanin that helps you tan in the summer), but this can also lead to the development of dark spots and uneven skin tone. 

Skin Injury

When you have a wound, the skin can overproduce melanin in response to the injury. Melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, ramp up production as a protective response, which causes dark spots and discoloration as the skin heals.

This is more common in people with darker skin tones. The response is more intense if the injured area is manipulated, like if you pick at acne spots or scratch at a scab that has formed over an injury.

Melasma

Melasma is when dark, symmetrical patches appear on the face, usually around your cheeks or forehead.

This skin condition is caused by hormonal changes, like those that occur during pregnancy (melasma is nicknamed the "mask of pregnancy"), taking birth control pills. or the onset of menopause.
user
1. Hyperpigmentation is an overproduction of melanin.
2. There are several ways hyperpigmentation can develop, including sun exposure, skin injury, and melasma.
3. A. True: Pregnancy can cause hyperpigmentation due to hormones (melasma).
assistant
<|system|>
</s>
<|user|>
1. What is hyperpigmentation?
2. What can cause hyperpigmentation?
3. Pregnancy can sometimes cause hyperpigmentation:
    A. True
    B. False


The cause of hyperpigmentation is an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives color to our skin. (As a refresher, those with lighter skin have less melanin, and those with darker skin have more melanin.) 

Certain areas of our skin can have extra melanin in comparison to other areas, and this causes the appearance of dark spots. Several things contribute to this:

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is one of the main culprits of hyperpigmentation. Rays from the sun stimulate the production of melanin (the same melanin that helps you tan in the summer), but this can also lead to the development of dark spots and uneven skin tone. 

Skin Injury

When you have a wound, the skin can overproduce melanin in response to the injury. Melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, ramp up production as a protective response, which causes dark spots and discoloration as the skin heals.

This is more common in people with darker skin tones. The response is more intense if the injured area is manipulated, like if you pick at acne spots or scratch at a scab that has formed over an injury.

Melasma

Melasma is when dark, symmetrical patches appear on the face, usually around your cheeks or forehead.

This skin condition is caused by hormonal changes, like those that occur during pregnancy (melasma is nicknamed the "mask of pregnancy"), taking birth control pills. or the onset of menopause.</s>
<|assistant|>
1. Hyperpigmentation is an overproduction of melanin.
2. There are several ways hyperpigmentation can develop, including sun exposure, skin injury, and melasma.
3. A. True: Pregnancy can cause hyperpigmentation due to hormones (melasma).</s>
