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Permanent Skin Pigmentation Removal: What Should You Know?

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Skin pigmentation is a notorious self-esteem killer. Luckily, you can fix them. Most people believe that skin pigmentation conditions like dark spots, freckles, and Melasma can easily clear on their own.

From experience helping clients with varying degrees of these types of skin pigmentation, the doctors at My Medical Aesthetics also noted that some of these conditions could resolve on their own. However, if you’re serious about permanently getting rid of skin pigmentation, you will need a dedicated skin pigmentation removal plan.

What Causes Skin Pigmentation?

To understand better what leads to skin pigmentation, it is important to acknowledge that pigmentation or Hyperpigmentation isn’t exactly a condition. Instead, it is a term used in describing skin with darker patches.

The primary risks of getting skin pigmentation are inflammations and sun exposure. These risk factors may increase melanin production in your body, resulting in dark patches or spots. If you expose yourself to the sun more often, you stand even higher risks of getting darker patches or spots.

The darker patches in this case may;

  • Affect the whole body
  • Only be visible in small patches or
  • Affect large patches of the body

Apart from the sun and inflammations, here’s a rundown of common risk factors that may increase the risks of getting pigmented skin.

  • If you use drugs that increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight.
  • If you’re pregnant or use hormonal contraceptives. These situations may increase the risks of Hyperpigmentation, as is the case with Melasma.
  • If you suffer skin trauma, for example, suffering a superficial burn injury or getting a wound.

Research shows that widespread pigmentation may not necessarily be harmful; however, care should be taken to look into it. It may be a red flag for a hidden medical condition. Here is a breakdown of some of the most prevalent types of skin pigmentation and their causes.

  • Sunspots

Also known as solar lentigines or liver spots, sun spots are likely to occur if you constantly get exposed to the sun for extended periods. These spots will mainly be visible on the body parts exposed to the sun’s UV rays, such as the face and hands.

  • Melasma

Medical researchers believe that Hyperpigmentation due to Melasma may be due to hormonal fluctuations since these darkened patches are more likely to appear during pregnancy. They can appear anywhere on the body but are predominantly common on the face and stomach.

  • Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

As opposed to the first two pigmentation cases, which may be due to hormonal changes and sun exposure, the post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation ‘condition’ is more likely to appear due to inflammation or injury on your skin. The most probable culprit due to this condition is acne.

Skin Pigmentation Diagnosis and Treatment: How do you get Rid of Skin Pigmentation?

Skin Hyperpigmentation conditions are complex and affect people differently. Because of that, it is unrealistic for your dermatologist to ask for an over-the-phone consultation to help you diagnose and treat the problem.

For most facilities, you’ll arrange with the doctor to visit the clinic or offices for a physical exam to diagnose the cause of the problem. Additionally, the doctor may also ask you about your medical history to make a more accurate diagnosis.

Depending on your condition, the doctor may also recommend a skin biopsy to determine the cause. After the diagnosis, your dermatologist may recommend topical prescription medication using hydroquinone to lighten the skin.

They may also recommend retinoid to help in lightening the dark patches and spots on your skin. If the initial treatments don’t change anything or there’s very little progress, the doctor may also recommend using chemical peels.

Chemical peels work by removing the outermost skin layers. This activity stimulates the skin cells to recover and improve your complexion. The skin would then look brighter, fresher, and younger. Another way for treating pigmentation if the first two approaches don’t yield the desired results is by using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).

This procedure involves the use of broad-spectrum light, with a handheld flashgun targeting melanin. This procedure uses multiple wavelengths for the light energy to penetrate through the skin to fragment melanin particles. 

Your dermatologist will give you protective glasses to wear during the session, which may last anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes.

Laser Pigmentation removal is usually the last resort if all the procedures mentioned above don’t work as desired. It works by directing short high laser energy pulses through your skin to breakdown the pigmentation particles. Depending on your condition, your dermatologist may use varied laser intensities to get the best results.

Can Skin Pigmentation Recur after Completing Treatment?

There are multiple incidences of pigmentation recurring even after it appears to you that you’ve completed the treatments successfully. Usually, relapses are mostly influenced by not sticking to the post-care guidelines. These may include stopping medications that control your hormones or overexposure to the sun.

Wrapping Up

When it comes to permanent skin pigmentation removal, your best bet is to follow your dermatologist’s advice to the letter. You will also need to maintain sunscreen use when necessary. If you need advice, be sure to contact us today to see how to help out.

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