Pigmentation: Causes, Precaution & Treatment Options

Skin is the most important part of a person’s appearance. A healthy skin reflects natural beauty. If a person feels beautiful, confidence radiates from within. Multiple factors affect the tone and texture of the skin, which make it appear dull and lifeless. Pigmentation is one such common issue faced by individuals. It is a common skin problem that develops due to the excess production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that is released by melanocyte cells present in the skin. When these cells start to overproduce melanin, the pigmentation problem arises.

Sure?

In this blog, the expert Pigmentation Treatment Specialist in Bangalore, Dr. Priyanka Reddy has provided crucial insights related to pigmentation and its related aspects. This blog will help one understand about this commonly faced condition.

Pigmentation is triggered by:

• Prolonged sun exposure

• Pollution

• Stress

• Hormonal imbalance

• Lack of nutrition

• Unhealthy lifestyle habits

• Pregnancy

• Acne vulgaris

• Various skin injuries

• Environmental factors

The common forms of pigmentation are not just limited to patchy skin but also dark spots, brown spots, periorbital hyperpigmentation, dark circles, melasma, tanning, age spots, liver spots, blemishes, etc. Each pigmentation issue requires a different treatment. Thus, it is essential to consult a qualified dermatologist to find an apt treatment.

Types of pigmentation

1. Melasma

Melasma, particularly occurs during pregnancy (because of the normal changes the body undergoes), is one of the most common pigmentary disorders of the skin. These are large tan, or brown patches that appear on the face. It is commonly seen in individuals who come from higher latitudes, spend more time in the sun, are on oral contraceptive pills, due to hormonal changes, after pregnancy and is more common in women suffering from thyroid disease, but it can also occurs in men.

2. Freckles

Freckles are the second most common type of pigmentation. They are tiny, closely held dots caused by excessive exposure to the sun. They develop into darker spots after repeated sun exposure. For a person with fair complexion, freckles are more vividly visible.

3. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is another well known pigmentation condition. This causes smooth white patches on the skin. It happens due to the lack of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes in the skin. This is why the skin appears lighter than normal. These patches can be very sensitive to the skin, and this disorder is the most difficult to treat.

4. Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

This type of skin pigmentation is caused due to acne or sun burns. One thing about this kind of pigmentation is that it can be reversed with topical products.

Precautions One Must Take to Avoid Pigmentation

1. Make sure not to pick up on acne or pimples because picking them leaves marks. One can use a gel based sunscreen which can prevent pigmentation development on acne marks. One can also use skin lightening cream which contains glycolic or kojic acid, which can help to lighten these marks effectively. But make sure to consult a dermatologist before using anything.

2. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen regularly and at frequent intervals so that the sun does not damage the skin. This can help prevent the skin from causing freckles or melasma.

3. Treatments such as bleaching can be harmful and can worsen the condition of pigmentation. So excessive facials or bleaching must be avoided.

4. Do not use over the counter fairness creams. Some of the creams contain sensitization agents or steroids which can actually make the pigmentation condition much worse. Make sure to have a discussion with a dermatologist before picking up any cream. They can advise one whether to use those creams or not, or can even advise to use medical cream which would be more suitable for one’s skin type.

Treatment Options for Pigmentation

1. Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a skin resurfacing technique i.e. with the help of certain chemicals the surface skin is peeled eliminating the dead skin cells and damaged upper layer. Different chemicals are utilized depending on the needed level. Alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic, glycolic, and fruit acids, are some examples. After the session of chemical peels, one must stay away from direct sunlight for some time as suggested by the dermatologist.

2. Laser Toning

This is the most popular pigmentation treatment option nowadays because there is no downtime. It doesn’t affect the topmost layer of the skin and targets the deep skin layer to break the melanin pigment. The heat generated by the laser beams induces collagen production, promotes melanin metabolism and elevates skin hydration. Thus achieving shrinking of pores, refined skin, and lightening black spots.

3. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

This is a non-ablative laser treatment, also known as photofacial, that promotes collagen development in the inner skin layer (dermis). Besides addressing the pigmentation concerns, photofacial is also recommended in case of spider veins. It is the most effective for freckles and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Each session lasts around 20-30 minutes.

4. Lightening Creams

These topical products have ingredients that reduce melanin production, hence lightening pigmentation. They ought to be used twice a day. These topical creams are quite effective on most skin types and are best used for Melasma or ageing spots if they are prescribed by the doctor after examining the patient's skin.

These are some of the most effective treatments used at DNA Skin Clinic by the expert dermatologist. Thus, if one is looking for a Skin Doctor in Bangalore, one can consult with Dr. Priyanka Reddy. She is a pigmentation treatment specialist in Bangalore. Book an appointment and say goodbye to all the pigmentation worries!