Hyperpigmentation is the excess pigmentation in a tissue or a body part, skin included. It is a condition which leads to dark skins developing patches or dark spots and getting discolored. The darkening of the skin may be a result of sun damage, injuries, hormones, skin type, acne or medications. Hyperpigmentation is usually not that big a problem early in life but as you age, you may start noticing “darker” patches or spots on your face and body.
Your hyperpigmentation treatments will be based on its cause, the type of your skin and your aesthetic goals. In order to determine the cause of your hyperpigmentation, consult a dermatologist whom you can trust. Hyperpigmentation treatments may involve a change in your daily skin care routine, using bleaching creams, changing your current medicines or further invasive treatments.
Below mentioned are the currently available hyperpigmentation treatments. In consultation with your doctor, choose the one which suits you the best:
Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that blocks Melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives color to the skin. Hydroquinone can be obtained over the counter. Your doctor may advise you to combine it with other products in order to maximize the results. If a high dose is used for a long time it may cause side effects such as irritation, increase in pigmentation, permanent hypopigmentation and discolorations. Minimize the complications by following your doctor’s advice carefully.
Lumixyl: Lumixyl is a new skin lightening cream that helps reduce hyperpigmentation spots. It is used as an alternative to Hydroquinone. It helps in reducing melanin but does not irritate the skin like other creams or bleaching agents. It is applied topically and available at the doctors’ clinics.
Retin-A: It is a prescription retinoid used topically. It works by exfoliating the skin, speeding up cell growth, diminishing the dark spots and smoothing out the uneven spots in the process. Your doctor may prescribe Retin-A with other bleaching agents such as hydroquinone.
Elure: It is the most recent entry to the hyperpigmentation treatment arena. It includes a foaming face-wash, night cream and a lotion that reduces the melanin in the skin temporarily. You may see the results in a month and there is a very low possibility of irritation to your skin. It is exclusively available at doctors’ clinics.
Chemical Peels: They use a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of the skin which is damaged. This procedure helps in improving the skin texture, diminishing dark spots, hyperpigmentation spots, acne etc. The cost of chemical peels or microdermabrasion may turn out to be more than over the counter products, however, it is an effective treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): It involves using broad-spectrum light for the treatment of various skin related issues such as minor sun damage, liver spots, dark patches due to hyperpigmentation, redness, age spots etc. It is a therapy based on high intensity pulses of light that penetrate into the skin. As there is no downtime in this treatment, you can go back to your life post-treatment with no blisters, burns etc.
Laser: This treatment is used for moderately severe conditions of hyperpigmentation. The rays of laser are used to remove the layer of the skin that is damaged, leaving a glowing inner skin! At times, chemical peels may be used prior to laser treatments.
Doctors usually prescribe Retin-A, Avita, Renova and other similar medicines to treat hyperpigmentation and its scars.
You can apply aloe vera gel mixed with honey and milk on the skin suffering from hyperpigmentation. It may take several weeks to get the desired results, though. Another effective yet slow treatment is to mix honey, rose water, lemon juice with potato, cucumber or tomato extract; make a paste out of these ingredients and apply to the skin. These foods have skin lightening and brightening properties, and are inexpensive hyperpigmentation treatments.
Rather than waiting for the marks to go away, consider visiting a dermatologist. Get an opinion about the course of action to be taken which shall be best suited to your skin and your budget.
