3 ways to treat hyperpigmentation and tips to prevent it
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Hyperpigmentation and tips for its prevention
Hyperpigmentation is a harmless condition characterized by the presence of uneven spots on the skin. This condition occurs due to increased production of melanin (a pigment responsible for the color of the skin). But how to treat hyperpigmentation This article explores everything you need to know about hyperpigmentation, the treatment options available, and the ways you can prevent it. Keep reading to learn more.
What is hyperpigmentation Why do you get it
Hyperpigmentation is the discoloration of the skin, which leads to the development of dark spots or spots. The affected area looks darker than the rest of the skin. This gets worse with sun exposure. Hyperpigmentation is a broad term. Staining of the skin caused by acne blemishes, freckles that have turned into sun spots, or shading of the skin due to conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, all suffer from hyperpigmentation.
All these skin problems increase the production of pigment cells (cells that make up melanin), which in turn increases the production of melanin on your skin. Excessive melanin is eliminated in the deeper levels of the skin, causing hyperpigmentation. When these spots are more exposed to sunlight, they ignite and fester.
Hyperpigmentation may develop due to several causes and have specific signs and symptoms. Let's take a look at them.
Hyperpigmentation what are its causes and types
Hyperpigmentation is divided into three main types, depending on the causes:
1. Melasma
This is a type of hyperpigmentation that is very common in women, especially those with dark skin. This skin discoloration usually occurs in different parts of your face such as the forehead, nose, cheeks, or just above the lips. This is why melasma is a bit difficult to treat. Your body goes through hormonal changes during pregnancy, when taking oral contraceptives or during hormone therapy, and this increases when you go out in the sun. Sometimes, it disappears when the hormones return to normal.
Signs and symptoms
- Brown spots on the skin
- It usually occurs on the face
- The spots are generally the same
- Spots usually appear on the forehead, chin, cheeks and bridge of the nose
- They may also appear on the forearms and neck
Diagnosis of melasma
Usually the doctor will do the following:
- Visual inspection
- Wood lamp examination, where the doctor holds a special light on your skin and examines bacterial or fungal infections to determine how many layers of skin are affected by melasma.
- Biopsy in case of severe melasma
What risk factors are involved?
The exact cause of this condition is not yet known. However, several factors may expose you to the risk of melasma. They include:
- Your genes. A study found that at least 40% of patients have a relative who has milasma .
- Excessive exposure to UV rays can cause melasma in people who have darker skin tones .
- Anxiety traits and the use of counterfeit drugs and antidepressants increase your risk .
- Apart from pregnant women and those who use contraception, postmenopausal women who get progesterone during hormone therapy are also prone to facial melasma.
2. Hyperpigmentation after inflammation (PIH)
This condition is caused by skin inflammation such as severe acne, psoriasis and eczema . These skin conditions increase the production of pigments, resulting in dark spots. This type of hyperpigmentation can affect people of any skin type, but is prevalent in people with darker skin.
Signs and symptoms
- Pigmented spots usually appear in the area where dermatitis has occurred.
- Pigments appear after inflammation or injury has healed.
- Lesions are usually black or light brown.
- When exposed to sunlight, the spots become darker.
The diagnosis of PIH
A skincare doctor or specialist diagnoses PIH through:
- Review your medical history carefully
- Conducting skin examinations
- Do a correction biopsy
What risk factors are involved?
The risk of developing PIH increases if:
- You have a darker skin tone .
- You have any skin condition, such as trauma/accident, eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
- You have excessive exposure to UV rays.
3. Sun damage or sunspots
Excessive sun exposure is the most common cause of hyperpigmentation. If you have developed hyperpigmentation in your early thirties, remember that the process was already started when you were a teenager.
Sunspots are usually light brown in color (generally called freckles) and appear mostly on the face, neck, chest and hands, which are mainly exposed to ultraviolet rays. People with light to medium skin develop freckles, becoming darker with constant exposure to sunlight.
Diagnosis of sunspots
Visual inspection of the skin is sufficient to diagnose sunspots. However, some sunspots may be a sign of skin cancer (melanoma). In this case, the skincare specialist may perform several other examinations. In the first place, they follow the guidelines ABCDE:
- A-to detect asymmetry
- B-to check the boundaries (is it diffuse or grooved)
- C-for color
- D-spot diameter
- E - is it sophisticated or not
What risk factors are involved?
- Excessive sun exposure
- Not using sun protection may increase your risk of injury.
- Your skin color. Sunspots are more common in people with white or medium skin.
Don't worry, most cases of hyperpigmentation respond well to treatment. Since this is one of the most widespread skin diseases in women, constant research is continuing, and experts come up with new forms of treatment to eliminate these ugly spots. From brightening agents to facial procedures, here are some of the most common treatment options for hyperpigmentation.
read more:Whitening face here you will find 4 masks that make you like the moon
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3 ways to treat hyperpigmentation and tips to prevent it |
How to treat hyperpigmentation
1. Topical medicine
The dermatologist will often suggest topical drugs and chemical ingredients to lighten the spots, such as:
Hydroquinone (2%)
This is very effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and melasma and prevents further skin discoloration. Usually, doctors prescribe skin ointments containing 2% hydroquinone. However, this drug may not be used by pregnant women.
Chemical peels
Even in clinical trials, chemical peels have shown promising results in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Of all the chemical peels, glycolic peels are the safest and most effective in eliminating stains. Even salicylic acid and lactic acid work well in the treatment of hyperpigmentation .
Retinoic acid (tretinoin)
Both tretinoin creams and peels act on dark spots in a similar way. Both disperse melanin pigments and lighten stains .
Kojic Acid
This bleaching agent is non-toxic (Kojic Acid Derived from palm oil) and gives very satisfactory results when it comes to lightening dark spots and preventing further discoloration caused by increased melanin production .
Dimethyl methoxycromanyl palmitate
It is a safe and effective choice for pigmentation treatment and this brightening agent is widely used for pigmentation treatment .
2. Other treatment options
There are several facial procedures that a dermatologist can perform on your skin to treat hyperpigmentation. Depending on the severity of your sites, you may need multiple sessions. The most common procedures are:
Fine scraping
This is a procedure in which the top layer of your skin is removed (exfoliated and aspirated) using a device. You will need multiple sessions to get the desired results.
Laser therapy
Also known as laser resurfacing treatment, this procedure uses light beams to remove or exfoliate the surface of your skin. Laser therapy can be euphoric (an intensive laser is used to remove layers of skin) or inconspicuous (promotes the development of collagen and tightens the skin). Powerful lasers are a bit powerful and may cause side effects. Talk to your doctor/dermatologist before considering laser treatment because the type of laser that is suitable for your skin depends on your skin type and degree of discoloration.
3. Over-the-counter treatments
Over-the-counter creams are available to help lighten skin tone. However, some creams are slightly stronger, and you will need a doctor's prescription to get them. But most other creams are usually mild and over-the-counter. They come in gel or cream form and should be applied to the marks once or twice a day (or as suggested by the doctor or manufacturer) for noticeable results. The most common over-the-counter creams / gels include:
- Niacinamide or vitamin B3
- N-acetylglucosamine
- Hydroquinone (up to 2%)
You will get these creams easily, and they are affordable compared to other professional treatments. However, remember that these work very slowly, and the results may take longer to appear compared to other treatment options.
Prevention is better than cure – we know you've heard of this since childhood, but this adage is true in this case. Pigmentation starts early from the deepest layers of your skin and won't appear until it gets worse. Here's what you can do to prevent it.
Methods of preventing hyperpigmentation
Never forget the sunscreen
Always use one that has the highest SPF and provides long-term UV protection (A) and (.). Use every day before going out in the sun and apply to all exposed parts. Reapply the sunscreen after every 2-3 hours.
Try to avoid the sun
You have hats (preferably wide – brimmed hats), scarves, umbrellas and sunglasses-wear them to prevent sunlight from hitting your skin. You can stay in the shade when the sun is hot (whenever possible).
Follow a good skin care routine
This helps your skin heal the abuse that you experience every day (such as pollution and other environmental factors). Also, if you have an inflammatory condition (such as acne or eczema), use anti-inflammatory skin care agents regularly. Most of the time, these conditions lead to the appearance of pigmentation that worsens if not handled properly.
Once you have an outbreak and treat it, you should immediately follow it up with lightening agents. Remember,” stitch in time provides nine", so you need to act quickly.
If you have hyperpigmentation, consult a dermatologist to find out the extent of your condition and which treatment method will suit you best. We hope that the information in the article helped you get a better understanding of hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is a harmless skin condition that causes skin discoloration. It is of three main types: melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sunspots or sun damage. It can be treated with topical medications, over-the-counter treatments, and chemical peels. However, you can prevent this skin condition by avoiding excessive sun exposure, using sunscreen diligently and following a good skin care routine. If you have hyperpigmentation, consult a dermatologist to find out the cause behind it and the available treatment options that will suit you best.
Conclusion
Hyperpigmentation or dark spots are classified into three types-melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun points.
Melasma usually occurs among women and is difficult to treat. Genes, excessive sun exposure, and contraceptive use are some of the possible causes.
While Rhea is common among those with darker skin tones, sunspots are mostly seen among those with light or medium skin tones.
