If you’ve ever noticed dark spots or uneven patches on your skin, you’re not alone. Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns worldwide and it affects people of all skin types. While it may seem just a cosmetic issue, the truth is that hyperpigmentation is the result of complex biological mechanisms. At Revalene Labs, this problematic has been at the center of our research for years.
What exactly is hyperpigmentation?
Our skin tone depends on a pigment called melanin. It is produced by skin cells known as melanocytes.
These cells act like a natural “ink producers” for our skin. When they are overstimulated by sunlight, hormones or other triggers, they create too much melanin. This excess gathers in certain areas leaving visible dark spots or uneven skin tone.
To put it simply, hyperpigmentation is what happens when melanin production and distribution get out of balance.
The main causes fall into two categories :
- External triggers :
- Sun exposure (UV rays are the number one cause)
- Blue light and visible light from sun and screens
- Pollution, which accelerates oxidative stress in the skin
- Internal triggers :
- Genetics (some skin types are more inclined to it)
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, contraception, menopause)
- Inflammation from acne, irritation or scars
- Skin aging, which slows down natural repair mechanisms
The many faces of hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation doesn’t look the same for everyone. The most common forms include:
- Dark spots (age spots, sun spots) : caused mainly by UV exposure
- Melasma : often linked to hormones, appearing as diffuse brown patches
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation : marks left behind after acne or irritation
- Pigmentation after procedures : for example after laser or peeling treatments
- Pollutanning : a newer term describing pigmentation caused by pollution exposure
Why are dark spots so hard to fade?
Many people try creams, peels, or even lasers, but the reality is that pigmentation often comes back. Why?
Because hyperpigmentation is not caused by a single factor, it’s multifactorial. Melanocytes respond to many signals at once, which makes the condition recurrent.
Another challenge is that some traditional treatments can irritate the skin, which sometimes makes pigmentation even worse. That’s why dermatologists emphasize the importance of prevention (sun protection) and gentle, natural treatments.
A new approach by Revalene Labs
At Revalene Labs, we’ve been studying how pigmentation works at the cellular level. Our focus has been not just on melanin production but also on how it spreads from melanocytes to surrounding skin cells.
This led to the creation of our patented technology : Dendrix.
It is an association of more than 9 actives selected for their synergy that acts on both melanin production and distribution.
The innovation of this patent lies in reducing the size of melanocyte dendrites, which are the extensions responsible for distributing melanin. By shortening these extensions, the ability to transfer melanin to neighboring cells is significantly reduced.
In other words, instead of just trying to “erase” spots once they’re already here, Dendrix works upstream to slow down the process that creates them.
