Hyperpigmentation is defined as excess pigmentation in a bodily part or tissue, including the skin.
Hyperpigmentation removal treatments target darkened areas of your skin, which may be a result of hormones, sun damage, injuries, your skin type, medications or acne. For example, melasma, sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy”. It is marked by brown to gray-brown patches on the face that occur as a result of hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or run in family.
What are causes of Hyperpigmentation?
Many forms of hyper – pigmentation are caused by an excess production of melanin. Hyper – pigmentation 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, hyper – pigmentation is effected.
Hyper – pigmentation may be caused by sun damage, inflammation, hormone, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne that induce excessive melanin production. People with darker Asian, Mediterranean or African skin tones are also more prone to hyper – pigmentation, especially if they have excess sun exposure.
How to treat hyper pigmentation?
How you treat your hyper – pigmentation is based on its cause, your aesthetic goals and your skin type. The first step is to consult with our dermatologist to determine the cause of your hyper – pigmentation. She will examine your skin, take a thorough medical history and suggest a treatment strategy based on these findings. She will also discuss the risks, costs and recovery period associated with any recommended hyper – pigmentation removal procedures.
Treatment options may involve the use of bleaching creams or a change in your skin care routine. Some options may be as simple as switching your current medication to an alternative that does not affect your skin tone; others may be more invasive.
available treatments for hyper – pigmentation:
1-Topical medication cream.
Hydroquinone: it has been prescribed by doctor as a gold standard treatment for hyperpigmentation. It is a bleaching agent that reduce melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that give our skin color. Sometimes they are combined with other products such as Retin-A to achieve the desired effects.
Retin-A: This medication 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.
Other exfoliating cream: Phytic acid or glycolic acid for example. They also exfoliate skin and speeds up new skin cell growth, diminishing dark, uneven skin patches. It is available in several strengths and is often prescribed in a step-up fashion too.
The procedure involves the application of a chemical solution to the surface of the skin to produce the careful removal of its outer layers which contain old dull skin cell and pigmentation. Allow the skin to reproduce new younger cell and collagen in more organize pattern, leave you with clear porcelain skin. The amount of skin removed will depend on the type of chemical used, the strength of this product and how long it is left on the skin.