Ever notice dark spots or blackening of some sort on your skin? If you are seeing blackening of the skin, you may have a case of skin pigmentation. Worry not! We will find out what causes that darkening and how to get rid of skin pigmentation.
Skin pigmentation refers to the slight colouring of one’s skin. Our skin contains melanin, a kind of cell that is responsible for giving our skin its colour. Due to some external and internal factors, the melanin in your skin may have some disorders resulting in an unusual skin colouration from your normal skin.
Sometimes, your skin would produce excess melanin that would result in hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a medical term that is used to describe the darkening of the skin. It may be just a few patches or a wide area. There are a lot of factors that could trigger skin pigmentation like acne scars, hormonal fluctuations, and sun damage.
In this article, we will be talking about skin pigmentation, what causes it, how to deal with it and the best ways to treat skin pigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is but normal to all skin types. Having the knowledge as to what it is and how to get rid of skin pigmentation should give you an edge in achieving that flawless and perfect skin.
What Can Causes Skin Pigmentation
For most people, the leading cause of skin pigmentation is excessive exposure to the sun and sustaining sun damage. Sure, getting a tan and having your daily dose of sunshine is good, but overexposure may just cause your skin to darken, and worse build-up dark spots and pigmentation.
You may notice that skin pigmentation usually occurs on body parts that are frequently exposed to the sun. But excessive sun exposure is not the only cause of skin pigmentation. Here are some other causes:
- A number of medications, this can include chemotherapy drugs
- Hormonal imbalance
- Pregnancy hormones
- Endocrine diseases like Addison’s disease
- Melasma
- Skin irritation or skin trauma
- Resistance to insulin
Hyperpigmentation or skin pigmentation nothing but common. It is usually a harmless condition where only a patch of skin on certain parts of the body exhibits discolouration. But knowing more about skin pigmentation is a must as it might also be an indication of underlying health concerns. Consulting a dermatologist would be the best thing to do to understand your case of skin pigmentation.
It is also a given fact that some people are more prone to having skin pigmentation compared to others. We must know that this skin darkening could be a result of years of sun exposure or internal factors including hormonal changes and more.
What You Can Do To Get Rid of Skin Pigmentation
Know this. If you are currently dealing with hyperpigmentation, you are not alone. It is but a common skin condition and there are a number of varying treatment options you can choose from.
We’re pretty sure that you’ve seen a lot of advertisements and tv commercials about treating dark spots. Here are some options that you can choose from to get rid of skin pigmentation:
Lightening Creams
One of the best ways to get rid of skin pigmentation is to use lightening creams. These are over-the-counter treatments that work. Thanks to its select ingredients, lightening creams help decrease pigmentation. Some lightening creams are available in strong prescription forms.
You can apply these creams once or twice a day so your skin will lighten over time. There are also available lightening creams in gel options.
Over-the-counter lightening creams include these common ingredients:
- hydroquinone
- licorice extract
- N-acetylglucosamine
- vitamin B-3 (niacinamide)
With the accessibility of otc products like lightening creams (and sometimes its affordability), hyperpigmentation is easy to get rid of. These lightening creams would work best for flat spots like melasma or age spots.
When you have patches of discolouration, try to consider lightening creams for getting fairer and better skin. The only drawback here is that results might take longer to achieve compared to clinical and professional treatments.
Face Acids
Before you jump into anything and say that you won’t put any type of acid on your face, hear us out first, please. Contrary to popular belief, we are actually using a lot of products that contain acid that we put on or apply to our skin.
In the case of face acids, these are the type of acids that helps in exfoliation or shedding the top layer of the skin. With this, new skin cells emerge thus giving a lighter or fairer skin and even out your skin tone. With the use of face acids, you can also have smoother skin overall.
Face acids are generally available over-the-counter. They can contain ingredients such as:
- alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, or tartaric acid
- azelaic acid
- kojic acid
- salicylic acid
- vitamin C (in the form of l-ascorbic acid)
People with lighter or fairer skin tones would benefit more in using face acids. Just be cautious about using face acids as some may give adverse effects like redness or irritation. It is best to try only a little first and see if it suits your skin.
Retinoids
Retinoids are derived from vitamin A. It is one of the oldest over-the-counter skincare ingredients that is used today. By using retinoids you can target the deep layers of your skin below the epidermis.
Just take note that OTC versions of retinoids are somewhat weaker compare to their prescription counterparts. Though OTC retinoids are generally safe for all skin types, it is recommended that you double-check with your dermatologist if it is not showing any results at all. Other uses of retinoids include treating skin wrinkles and achieving smooth skin.
Related article: What Are the Causes of Skin Pigmentation?
Chemical Peels
When treating a specific area of the skin, you can choose to use stronger acids at a heavier concentration. Chemical peels are one of these. By removing the epidermis, chemical peels help in reducing hyperpigmentation in a short amount of time.
Though you can get over-the-counter versions of chemical peels, it is better to consult a dermatologist and get a professional-grade chemical peel. Since chemical peels are stronger compared to usual face acids, you get quicker results but also increase the risk of side effects. That is why talking to your dermatologist first is a must when using chemical peels.
Now, if you are constantly out in the sun, chemical peels may not be the best option for you. Because chemical peels make your skin sensitive to the sun’s rays, it could only make your hyperpigmentation worse. Thus, it is advisable to take extra precautionary measures after a week of using chemical peels.
Here are also some important steps you should take when using these kinds of peels:
- Keep your skin moisturized
- Avoid scratching or touching bug bites, blackheads and other skin irritations
- Consider getting a prescription-grade medicine for stubborn skin pigmentation
- Consult a dermatologist at once for clinical treatments.
Best Treatments for Skin Pigmentation
Topical creams and acids are some of the best ways to get rid of skin pigmentation. The only drawback in using these is that they may take time before showing results and fully relieving you of those dark spots. But don’t worry, there are available treatments that you could consider to get those dark spots out.
Lasers
When it comes to the most effective treatment, laser skin treatments are a top choice to get rid of skin pigmentation. By using a focused beam of light, lasers target a specific area of pigmentation to break up and eliminate particles in the skin. With the use of intense pulsed light or IPL, your unwanted pigmentation and dark spots can be treated with ease.
Of course, such a treatment that promises great results won’t come cheap. But if you are aiming for quick results with the best outcome, then laser skin treatments are your best choice! Contact your dermatologist today so you could explore options and learn more about laser skin treatments for skin pigmentation.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is also one of the well-recognized skin exfoliating treatments available in the market today. It treats hyperpigmentation by using tiny particles of sand to remove away dead skin. Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical treatment. This means that there is no concern over damaged tissues after the treatment and it does not require a long recovery time.
If you have a mild case of hyperpigmentation, then microdermabrasion is the best way to go. The result that microdermabrasion offers are very much suited to improving skin to get rid of skin pigmentation.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a treatment that is not for the faint of heart. As the name suggests, micro-needling is a clinical treatment that utilizes medical-grade, stainless steel rollers that are covered with microneedles. By doing micro-needling, it creates a series of micro-injuries that promotes the rebuilding of skin collagen production. Furthermore, this enables the skin to heal skin pigmentation and improve skin elasticity as well.
Dermatologists may combine micro-needling with topical treatments to achieve the best results. Infusing ingredients like vitamin C will help lighten the skin. This will then help to get rid of skin pigmentation. Please do take note of the potential risks that scarring from micro-needling could give if not properly done. It is best to consult a certified dermal clinic for this type of treatment.
Conclusion
Hyperpigmentation or skin pigmentation is usually a harmless skin condition. It may be sometimes caused by an underlying medical condition. Certain medications could help to get rid of skin pigmentation. But dealing with skin pigmentation is better done under a medical professional’s supervision.
Thanks to the technological advancements we have today in the dermatological industry, there are a lot of ways to get rid of skin pigmentation available for every skin type out there. Canada Med Laser is here to help you out with your hyperpigmentation concerns. Our dermal clinic is ready to accommodate you and help you achieve the healthy and perfect skin you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get rid of skin pigmentation.
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