pigmentation

Hyper means Excess and Pigment refers to color, so hyperpigmentation refers to excess color in comparison to the normal skin color for that particular ethnic skin. Melanin is a pigment that gives the skin its normal color for that ethnic group. The number of melanocytes in the black skin is the same as non-black skin but they are more active and produce melanin more readily.

Hyperpigmentation can be either epidermal or dermal based:

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation - usually happens in black skin where melanin is always present not only in basal cell layer, but also in the stratum corneum. Therefore it is very important not to squeeze any pimples (except professional extraction) to prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmenation.
Melasma - (or pregnancy mask) usually appears flat, dark, sometimes blotchy marks on forehead, cheeks and chin among females.
Macule - is any discoloration of the skin that is flat (age spots)
Ephelides - is freckles
Solar Lentigo - is larger than freckles, darker in color and do not fade in the winter
Nevus - is a mole that has a uniform color from dark brown to black and is commonly referred to as a beauty mark.

Brown spot/skin disorder removal