Hyper-pigmentation, a preventable condition, is a major and common dermatolgical disorder after 35-years of age. It takes years to cause skin damage by pigment, but once damaged the condition is almost irreversible and resistant to any form of treatment. Hypermelanosis  has many causes, but sun-damage, hormones and acne play important roles. Children and adolescents should be protected from harsh sun-light and damaging UV irradiation. Once excessive melanin is layed down in the layers of the skin it is very difficult to remove and most treatments fail. To achieve lightening, many months of application is needed together with sunscreens. Avoidance of over-head sun-light between 12 o'clock and 3 PM is advisable especially in Africa. Sun-light is an important cause of skin cancer and malignant melanoma, and is on the increase in "sun worshippers".

On 17 March 2009 a hyper-pigmentation summit and work-shop is scheduled in Cape Town, at the Medi-Clinic Louis Leipoldt Hospital Conference Centre. The workshop is sponsored by LEENYX. Products such as Cosmelan and Dermamelan, and the role in skin lightning and facial hyper-pigmentation will be discussed. Speakers include Don du Toit and Lizzle Botha of the University of Stellenbosch and private practice, respectively. There is academic and private practice input. Aspects of biomedical sciences, skin morphology , tissue culture, and Visia Skin Scanning after Cosmelan Mask Therapy for hyper-pigmentation will be presented.