Hyperpigmentation on legs

Hyperpigmentation on the legs is a common yet overlooked skin condition that affects individuals, regardless of skin colour and skin type. This condition often results from an excess production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its tone.

Hyperpigmentation on legs can appear as patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding area. These dark patches on the legs can vary in size and shape and they might be slightly raised or have the same texture as the rest of the skin.

The colour of hyperpigmented areas can range from light brown to black, depending on the person’s skin tone and the underlying cause.

Treating dark patches on your legs involves a combination of preventative measures and specially-formulated skincare solutions.

Eucerin Anti-Pigment Targeted Areas Body Cream is formulated specifically to target and reduce the appearance of dark patches and hyperpigmentation on the body, including the legs. 

It contains Thiamidol, an active ingredient unique to Eucerin that is proven to effectively reduce melanin production in the skin. By directly acting on the root cause of hyperpigmentation, Thiamidol can help to prevent the formation of new dark spots on the legs, while reducing the appearance of existing ones. 

With regular use, this cream is designed to gradually lighten dark patches on the legs, leading to a more even skin tone and improved skin appearance. 

Sun protection should be used daily to protect the skin from the sun’s UV rays. 

The Eucerin Sun Protection range offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays as well as HEVIS light. By protecting your skin from these harmful rays, you can prevent the formation of new dark spots on the legs and stop existing spots from becoming darker. 

Anything that triggers hyperpigmentation can cause it to appear on the legs. Hyperpigmentation can be triggered by a number of factors ranging from sun exposure to inflammation. 

Possible underlying causes for hyperpigmentation on the legs can range from less serious conditions, such sunburn and age spots, to more serious conditions like diabetes and cancer. If you are concerned about hyperpigmentation on your legs, always contact a medical professional. 

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs after the skin undergoes some sort of trauma such as a cut, acne or an insect bite, however it can also appear due to skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

When the skin is inflamed, melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, are prompted by this inflammation to overproduce, and release melanosomes. Melanosomes are pigment granules that can cause the previously injured area to become darker and discoloured and remain long after the original wound has healed. 

Even smaller, everyday cuts and grazes can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Micro-tears in the skin that occur when we wax and shave can also irritate the skin and cause skin discoloration on the legs.

Sun exposure is a common trigger of hyperpigmentation on the legs as well as other parts of the body by exacerbating existing conditions and potentially causing new areas of hyperpigmentation. 

The sun’s UV rays stimulate the melanocytes in the skin to produce more melanin as a natural defence mechanism to protect the deeper layers of the skin from damage.

UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and are primarily responsible for premature ageing and worsening hyperpigmentation on the legs. Overtime this can result in an uneven skin tone.