In the US, life expectancy has increased by nearly 10 years since the 1950s, according to the Census Bureau. Americans are living longer, and the demand for skin care products to slow or minimize aging continues to enjoy popularity.

Of particular interest are those products used to treat "age spots," or hyperpigmentation.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Human skin is equipped with a natural pigment called melanin. Melanin lends color to skin and protects it—to an extent—from sunlight. With increased age and sun exposure, melanin can over-produce in places, causing darkened areas. These hyperpigmented areas are commonly called "age spots."

Hyperpigmentation can also result from hormonal changes within the body. This condition is known as melasma. In melasma, the darkened areas are larger or more pronounced. Melasma is common among pregnant women and women who use hormonal birth control.

These types of skin discolorations are generally considered harmless and rarely cause concern. With any skin anomaly, however, one should carefully evaluate the likelihood of a serious condition before beginning treatment.

Any raised area irregular in symmetry, border, color, or diameter should be brought to the attention of a physician.

What Can Be Done About Hyperpigmentation?

Once skin discolorations are assured to be benign, they may be treated via the application of skin lighteners. There are several products available that combat hyperpigmentation and promote restoration of even skin tone. Most of them contain the common bleaching agent hydroquinone, used alone or in combination with other skin brightening compounds.

Obagi offers a line of products designed to reduce hyperpigmentation as well as lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The Obagi products combine hydroquinone with the anti-oxidants vitamin E and C to give skin a rejuvenated, radiant appearance. The line includes cleansers, creams for day and night, and sunscreen.

Clinicians Complex, formerly Physicians Complex, combines the benefits of hydroquinone with two other brightening agents, kojic acid and bearberry extract. Kojic acid decreases melanin production to help defeat hyperpigmentation before it begins. Bearberry combines the benefits of hydroquinone and kojic acid. Clinicians Complex provides a one-two-three punch to knock out hyperpigmentation.

Celazome products also combine hydroquinone with kojic acid. In addition to decreasing melanin, kojic acid exhibits mild antibacterial properties that help control skin breakouts. Celazome products offer a patented time-release delivery system designed to pinpoint and deeply penetrate precise treatment areas.

Lumedia offers a skin-lightening serum containing hydroquinone. Its unique applicator allows for precise product placement to affected areas. Lumedia also offers a hydroquinone-free product with a patented brightening complex.

All skin lightening products work more effectively (and safely!) if the user wears sunscreen throughout the course of treatment. All of the products discussed here are available without a prescription and may be found at finer beauty retailers or on the Internet.

Hyperpigmentation can affect people of any ethnic group, and its prevalence increases with age. The condition is considered harmless, assuming no indications to the contrary, and can be treated at home with commercially available lightening products.