• Darkened areas on the skin are the main symptoms of hyperpigmentation. Patches can vary in size and develop anywhere on the body.
• The biggest risk factors for general hyperpigmentation are sun exposure and inflammation, as both situations can increase melanin production.
• The greater your exposure to the sun, the greater your risk of increased skin pigmentation.

Depending on the type of disorder, other risk factors for hyperpigmented patches may include:

oral contraceptive use or pregnancy, as seen with melasma
darker skin type, which is more prone to pigmentation changes
drugs that increase your sensitivity to the sunlight
trauma to the skin, such as a wound or superficial burn injury