There may be many different causes for
pigmentation. The most common being hyperpigmentation from sun
damage.
Sun Damage
Most of the sun
damage is done during our childhood and adolescent years but
it doesn't manifest until later in life. Freckles and brown or sun
spots are a result of sun damage.
In an effort to protect the skin from
the damaging UV rays the body produces excess melanin in the deep
layers of the skin. Over time this melanin moves to the surface
creating visible pigmented areas.
To treat this kind of pigmentation, a
combination of more than one, of the following treatments is
recommended:
Daily Skin Care:
A salon recommended skin care range
specifically formulated for pigmentation or that contains high levels
of vitamin A.
IPL or Laser:
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Q-switch
lasers can treat hyperpigmentation by burning the pigment without
damaging the surrounding skin. The pigmented area will turn dark and
may lightly scab 1 or 2 days after treatment. The scab will fall off
in 1 or 2 weeks. It is important not to scratch or pick at the scab
and avoid sun exposure and solariums. Deeper pigmented layers will
rise to the surface and must be treated again. It usually requires 2
to 6 treatments. Treatments are spaced every 4 weeks.
Skin Peels:
Superficial skin peels with glycolic
acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid can also be used in combination
with some of the other methods to enhance the results.
Daily use of a broad spectrum UVA &
UVB sunscreen is paramount to avoid further sun damage. It is also
recommended to wear a wide brimmed hat for long periods under the
sun.
Melasma
Another cause for pigmentation is
Melasma. Melasma affects mainly dark skinned people and is
more difficult to treat. It often occurs during pregnancy and it is
caused by hormonal changes. Because Melasma usually resides in the
deep layers of the skin more aggressive treatments are needed. To
effectively treat Melasma it may be recommended to combine all of the
treatments bellow.
Daily Skin Care:
A daily skin care programme with high
levels of vitamin A
Chemical Peels:
Stronger chemical peels that can
penetrate to the deep layers of the skin as well as dermabrasion can
also help.
Elos IPL:
Elos IPL which combines IPL and RF
(radio frequency) may also work, however it may require multiple treatments. IPL is set low to avoid burning of the surrounding skin. The IPL energy creates
a path of low resistance for the RF which is not colour dependant.
Hydroquinone Therapy:
Hydroquinone therapy it is also quite
effective for the treatment of Melasma. Hydroquinone is a bleaching
agent that decreases the production of melanin and breaks down the melanosomes
(pigment granules of the skin's pigment cells). Hydroquinone cream is
applied topically to the affected area only.
Again the use of a broad spectrum
sunscreen is essential.
Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
PIH (Post-inflammatory
Hyperpigmentation) is also a frequent cause of pigmentation. In PIH
an injury in the skin causes excessive pigment production. The most
common causes are acne, burns, and psoriasis and they are more often
found on dark skinned people.
PIH treatment is also quite difficult
because it involves a deeper layer of the skin. Treatment options are
the same as in Melasma (see above).
