Hyperpigmentation

By Author: Insta Sculpt
Total Articles: 6
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Most of the women are constantly hassled with pigmentation, patches, dark patches . People are so obsessed with white skin and color they tend to fall prey to wrong ads, use fairness creams and they feel they will start looking beautiful. Rather than white skin it is better to have a flawless healthy glowing skin which is a reflection of healthy mind and soul!
Let us understand about pigmentation and various treatments
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can affect the skin color of people of any race.
Thus, Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.
What are the causes of Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation may be caused by sun damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris. People with darker Asian, Mediterranean or African skin ...
... tones are also more prone to hyperpigmentation, especially if they have excess sun exposure.
Hyperpigmentation can be diffuse or focal, affecting such areas as the face and the back of the hands. Melanin is produced by melanocytes at the lower layer of the epidermis. Melanin is a class of pigment responsible for producing color in the body in places such as the eyes, skin, and hair. As the body ages, melanocyte distribution becomes less diffuse and its regulation less controlled by the body. UV light stimulates melanocyte activity, and where concentrations of the cells are denser than surrounding areas, hyperpigmentation is effected.
What are the types of Hyperpigmentation and its treatment?
* One of the most common is melasma, which causes the formation of light brown or tan patches on the skin. This is a common occurrence in pregnant women. Hyperpigmentation treatment for mild skin disorders such as melasma is quite straightforward. For many women, the darker patches fade after pregnancy, and no treatment is necessary.
* Signs that the problem may actually be melanoma include itching and bleeding. Skin hyperpigmentation is often associated with Addison’s disease. This disorder is caused by a deficiency of hormones produced by the adrenal glands.
What is the General Line of Treatment for Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation treatments include topical lightening agents, laser / intense pulsed light, cryotherapy and chemical peels.
Topical Lightening Agents
Hydroquinone. This bleaching agent blocks melanin, which are the pigment cells that give our skin color. These products can be obtained over the counter in weak strengths or by prescription in higher doses. Sometimes they are combined with other products such as Retin-A to achieve the desired effects. Risks may include irritation, permanent hypopigmentation (diminished pigmentation), increased pigmentation if you do not use sun block, and ochronosis (black speckles or discolorations) if a high dosage is used for long periods of time. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to maximize your results and minimize your risk of complications.
Retin-A is a prescription topical retinoid (derived from Vitamin A) that exfoliates skin and speeds up new skin cell growth, diminishing dark, uneven skin patches along the way. It is available in several strengths and is often prescribed in a step-up fashion. It may be prescribed with hydroquinone or another bleaching agent. For example, TriLuma is a prescription topical skin lightening product containing hydroquinone and Retin-A.
Lumixyl is a new brightening cream that can help reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation. An alternative to hydroquinone, Lumixyl is based on a series of naturally-occurring peptides. It is applied topically and sold in physicians’ offices. It works by reducing melanin, but does so without the irritation or other side effects associated with Hydroquinone or Retin-A.
Chemical Peels
Alpha hydroxy acids, such as 8 percent glycolic acid, are exfoliants and can help remove hyperpigmentation.
Beta hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acids, are also exfoliants that can help address hyperpigmentation.
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
IPL is a type of laser that leaves no scars, can sometimes heal freckles or other mild sun spots without using peels or hydroquinone creams beforehand
Laser resurfacing
Normal laser skin resurfacing works by evaporating the first few layers of damaged skin to leave behind a fresh, evenly toned skin. Hydroquinone or mild chemical peels are often recommended before laser resurfacing for best results.
Microdermabrasion
Of all these treatments for getting rid of uneven skin tone, microderm abrasion is, without a doubt, the least invasive procedure. What microbrasion does is peel off a very fine layer of skin by sandblasting it with a flow of aluminum oxide micro crystals.