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Melanin determines the colour or tone of human skin. When the cells that produce melanin become damaged or unhealthy skin pigmentation variability occurs. Problems with excessive skin pigmentation are referred to as various forms of skin hyperpigmentation. The term refers to all conditions characterised by the formation of skin patches that are darker than the surrounding tissue.
Excessive skin pigmentation can be brought on by several trigger factors. The dark spots are usually most visible on the hands, the face and the neck. For some people, these can cause a massive loss of confidence. Hence, they’ll seek one or more treatment options.
If you’ve had dark spot formation recently and you’re wondering what to do about it, the following guide will take you through all of the essentials. There are effective treatment options and it’s easy to discover the one best suited to your needs.
There are primarily three types of skin pigmentation.
The most common type of pigmentation is freckles. These develop after repeated exposure to sunlight, particularly if you have a fair complexion.
Also known as liver spots or sun spots. They may occur anywhere on the body and vary in colour from light brown to black. These spots are caused by how much UV light these melanin pigments are exposed to. These must be monitored as they may develop into skin cancer and melanoma. Annual checks with your skin specialist are essential.
Commonly found in women, melasma or chloasma is pigmentation that is deeper in the skin’s dermis. Though causes are unknown, it is often stimulated by hormonal changes. The condition is made worse with UV exposure, some medications, pregnancy and stress.
Skin pigmentation conditions always result from the excessive concentration of melanin in some skin patches.
Various internal or external factors can contribute to the formation of these dark spots. These include:
It is very easy to tell if you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation. The most common symptoms of this condition, regardless of the contributing factors, include:
The good news is excessive skin pigmentation can be often managed or prevented. Avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight or using a high SPF sunscreen rank high among the most important preventative measures.
In some instances, however, very little can be done to prevent the appearance of dark spots. Luckily, if these have already appeared, various therapies can be utilised to improve the condition of the skin.
If you want to learn a bit more about excessive skin pigmentation, check out the US National Library of Medicine collection of sources. These will shed a lot of light on hyperpigmentation conditions and what the best treatments for those are.
Hyperpigmentation treatments are divided in two main categories – topical products and cosmetic procedures performed at a clinic.
Topical products may give you some effect but they’re not potent enough to overcome serious dark spot formation. Such creams and ointments rely on one or more lightening ingredients like:
Prescription medications, either topical or oral, may assist further.
Most of these will work by making the skin peel and reveal new layers of skin underneath. Some will also decrease the rate at which new pigment is formed. With time, prominent dark spots can be reduced.
Some of the typical cosmetic procedures used to address hyperpigmentation include:
Whilst these procedures are costlier, they tend to deliver more pronounced results.
The preparations you’ll need to go through depend entirely on the kind of hyperpigmentation you have and the skin pigmentation treatment you’ll be undergoing.
If you’ll be having a laser procedure, there will be specific before and after-care instructions. These are completely different for the people who have a chemical peel or microdermabrasion.
Have a consultation with one or more experienced doctors in your area. This is the perfect opportunity to have the condition of your skin assessed and to ask questions. A doctor will suggest the best treatment for the removal of the dark spots and let you know how many sessions will be required to get a lasting outcome.
Once you agree on the procedure, you will be given suggestions for the preparations and the after-care you’ll have to go through in the days following the dark spot removal.
Skin pigmentation conditions can reoccur, even if you’ve had a session with the most skilled doctors.
It’s essential to protect your skin after getting a skin pigmentation treatment, regardless of the original cause of the dark spots. A day cream with a high SPF is mandatory for your face and for other exposed body parts. Limiting your exposure to sunlight and being careful about the medications you take will also be important for restoring a beautiful and flawless complexion. If you have more complex skin conditions, don’t hesitate to contact one of our professional to book in a skin consultation.
Our friendly and professional team will happily assist you with your booking enquiry.
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