Skin pigmentation is a common issue experienced by almost everyone, and as such, it affects the natural beauty of the skin. In fact, an anomaly can be called Dermal Pigmentation if there is a combination of genetics, high melanin, and high vascular/erythema readings because connective tissue is involved at two levels: dermal-epidermal junction and the supporting connective tissue of the dermis. Thanks to technological advancement, the best treatments for pigmentation are more accessible today than before.
What Causes A Skin Pigmentation?
Pigmentation on the face and other body parts may cause by several reasons. Some major skin pigmentation causes are:
- Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation increases melanin production. Sun exposure has both a good and harmful impact on the skin. It matters how much time is spent under the sun without using a good broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Hormonal variation during menopause or pregnancy makes people susceptible to hyperpigmentation. Pregnancy can trigger overproduction of melanin, as well as those women taking birth control pills are also prone to hyperpigmentation.
- Skin damage due to injury, acne scars, and skin blemishes may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Improper hair waxing promotes skin darkening and can cause hypersensitivity (allergic reaction).
- Genes are also accountable for skin pigmentation on the face and other body areas. Those who have a family history of hyperpigmentation are more prone to pigmentation.
What Are The Medical Treatment Options For Pigmentation And Spots?
The treatment to remove the dermal pigmentation depends on the cause of the hyperpigmentation. If it is due to other health-related issues, treating the underlying problem can help reduce pigmentation. Some of the common treatments options include:
Laser treatment
The laser treatment option could be costly, but it is the most effective treatment for hyperpigmentation. Moreover, the lasers work by photodamaging the melanocyte cells and consequently destroying them. That said, it helps reduce melanin content in the skin, thus improving hyperpigmentation.
As such, different lasers can be used, such as Q-switched Nd: PDL laser, YAG laser, carbon dioxide laser, and Q-switched ruby laser, to treat hyperpigmentation with minimum scarring. On the alternative side, an intense pulsed light (IPL) can also be used, but this laser is less focused and can affect the surrounding skin. In this case, consult the dermatologist on focused laser treatment to prevent burns and inflammatory response.
Chemical Peeling
This pigmentation treatment refers to skin exfoliation using mild acids. Chemical peeling works by removing the skin’s surface, where melanin is present, thus fading dark spots. In addition, the procedure exposes new skin layers by stimulating the production of new skin cells and boosting collagen synthesis.
Also, chemical peels’ most commonly used acids include lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, and acetic acid. In fact, the yellow peel has been a recent addition to chemical peeling treatments. Yellow peel is a combination of phytic acid, azelaic acid, retinoic acid, and kojic acid that produces anti-pigmentation effects.
Indeed, this solution helps improve hyperpigmentation by influencing the sensors and receptors at cellular levels. It also helps boost microcirculation in the area, thereby increasing oxygen and nutrient supply.
Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is also an exfoliation treatment, which refers to mild sanding of the skin surface using a rotating brush. For effective results, the dermabrasion procedure may be repeated a few times. However, note that it can cause redness, scabbing, and swelling in the skin, and on rare occasions, complete healing of the skin may take several months.
On the other hand, microdermabrasion is another form of dermabrasion that employs diamond or crystal-tipped brushes to exfoliate surface skin cells. This method is commonly used to treat mild hyperpigmentation.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is a surgical procedure that involves freezing the affected tissue to extremely low temperatures using liquid CO2, liquid nitrogen (NO2), or ice and salt. The process destroys melanocyte cells and thus reduces hyperpigmentation.
Skin-Boosting Treatments
The skin booster treatment involves a series of micro-injections using a fine needle that deposits a product into the skin’s dermal layer. The good news about the skin-boosting treatment is that it’s a quick lunch-time procedure that targets the areas of concern with minimal bruising. The results have been known to repair sun-damaged skin, slow down aging at a cellular level, and better acne scars by increasing the production of collagen content in damaged skin cells.
Anti-Pigmentation Creams from Doctors
Lastly, these medical products contain active ingredients that lower melanin levels in the skin. The short-term application might be able to improve the dark spots and melasma. Keep in mind that pigmentation removal creams may cause skin irritation in some minority individuals, especially with intense sun exposure.
Because of this, make sure to keep the skincare routine in check with the doctor, and always use sunscreen before leaving the house. This way, it protects the skin from the harsh UV rays, and it also gives the advantage of being more affordable than the lasers treatments. However, the downside of cream is it can’t treat deep forms of pigmentations, e.g., Hori’s naevus.
How To Avoid Skin Pigmentation?
The number cause of black pigmentation on the skin is sun damage, and there are ways to prevent it by applying SPF and staying out of direct sunlight. Although not all causes of pigmentation on the face can be prevented, some steps below may be helpful:
- Avoid direct sun exposure and stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 10 am to 2 pm.
- Shade the face and scalp using a wide-brimmed hat.
- Make sure to apply sunscreen when going out.
- Limit touching the skin. It’s been known that scratching or picking a mosquito bite or a spot can cause inflammation and darker pigmentation on the face, so it’s best to avoid touching the skin.
- Keep skin moist to boost cell turnover.
The Bottom Line
There are several ways to remove dermal pigmentation, and it may be challenging to choose from so many options. Destiny Med Spa offers Deep Dermal Pigmentation to diminish the appearance of “age spots” on the face, arms, neck, and other body areas. Ultimately, Destiny MedSpa has selected the best products and medspa treatments to provide members of the community with health, wellness, and balance with science and nature.