The pigment of your skin is produced by cells called Melanoctyes. Variations in the colour or pigment of the skin varies on factors such as the size and shape of the melanocytes, the amount of melanin they produce, the speed at which the pigment is formed, the way the pigment is concentrated in the skin and the colour of the melanin. Pigment disorders usually occur as a result of the body producing either too much or too little melanin. Excessive pigment is abnormal production of melanin by the melanocytes. Arguably,the most common cause of excessive pigmentation is an increased stimulation in the production of melanin caused by hormonal changes or sun exposure. Hormonal pigmentation (such as Melasma) usually occurs as a result of hormonal therapy, childbirth or contraceptive pill altering the skin pigment production. It appears as dark, splotchy mottled patches on the face and is more pronounced due to sun exposure. Lentigines or age spots/sun spots are benign flat superficial collections of skin pigment which have accumulated within the top layer of the dermis usually as a result of excessive sun exposure. They appear on sun-exposed skin, such as the face or back of the hands.