Melanin, which is a pigment found in your skin, is the body’s natural way of protecting itself against UV radiation. When exposed to sunlight, melanocytes in the lower layer of the epidermis, produce melanin and release it through branch-like cells called dendrites, to the upper layer of the skin.

Melanin absorbs the sunlight and prevents the UV radiation from reaching further into the skin. When the skin is no longer exposed to sunlight, the melanin retracts. Every time this mechanism is activated, a small trace is left behind, and over time these traces accumulate and create a spot. Additionally, this mechanism becomes less effective with time, which also adds to the accumulation of melanin in one area.

This process is highly individual and different reasons are responsible for triggering it. The most evident culprit is sun exposure. But hormonal imbalance, such as the one experienced during a pregnancy is also responsible for hyperpigmentation.