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Is your skin dotted with pesky dark spots or patches of discolored skin? You might also have dry skin and wrinkles. Have you been wanting to get rid of crepey skin and darkness for the longest time and simple home remedies just don’t work anymore?
This article has come to your rescue! We all know that hyper-pigmentation and other aging signs can be annoying and at times, even depressing. But don’t let them get you down any further through the latest treatment methods!
What is Hyper-Pigmentation?
First, let’s discuss what hyper-pigmentation is and what its causes are. Hyper-pigmentation is basically an overproduction of a pigment called melanin in the skin, causing dark spots or patches.
These are darker areas than the surrounding skin that may appear on the face, hands, and arms. Common causes of hyper-pigmentation include:
- Prolonged or excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays
- Use of tanning beds or sunbathing
- Not using enough sunscreen or not reapplying after the prescribed length of time
- Side effects of medications or prescription drugs
- Hormonal changes
- Pregnancy
- The natural process of aging that increases the skin’s susceptibility to damage and reduces its ability to heal and protect itself
- Skin trauma due to plastic surgery or other professional procedures
Many of these causes cannot be helped, but fortunately, there are several methods and ways to treat and prevent the worsening of hyper-pigmentation.
Types of Hyper-Pigmentation
Here are the types of hyperpigmentation including their specific causes to help you understand them and their treatments better:
- Melasma: This type is caused by hormonal fluctuation and is common in pregnant women (pregnancy mask). It can also appear due to hormone therapy medications, as side effects of birth control pills, or thyroid dysfunction.
- Lentigines: Also known as age spots, sun spots, or liver spots, about 90% of people older than 60 have lentigines. They are caused by the skin’s exposure to harmful UV rays, which can also lead to dry skin. Lentigines not caused by the sun are due to a more serious systemic disorder.
- PIH or post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation: As the name suggests, this type is usually the aftermath of inflammation due to acne, burns, psoriasis, or some skin treatment procedures. As the skin heals and regenerates, PIH also goes away.
- Drug-induced hyper-pigmentation: A secondary or indirect hyper-pigmentation called lichen planus happens when certain drugs cause non-contagious inflammation and outbreaks on the skin.
Different Ways to Treat Hyper-Pigmentation
The old, conventional way of getting rid of crepey skin and hyper-pigmentation are topical skin products said to improve the skin tone and texture. However, though some of these products do work to a certain degree, they can only do so much about the underlying causes.
So, what are your other options? Continue reading to find out.
Microdermabrasion for minor darkness
Microdermabrasion is a procedure where the outermost skin layer is removed along with darkness, staining, sunspots, and other types of minor, superficial discoloration. Some versions also involve administering anti-pigment infusions to brighten and lighten the skin further.
Chemical peels for stubborn spots
Chemical peels like TCA(trichloroacetic acid), glycolic acid, phenol, and salicylic acid peels are done to remove discoloration. Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi said that chemical peels could hasten results and remove deep pigmentation. However, chemical peels are not recommended for certain skin colors and type and for people who have a history of scarring.
[Read: Chemical Peels Vs. Microdermabrasion]
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or photo facial
IPL is often used for discoloration due to the sun. It involves light energy pulses applied to the skin and blood vessels. These pulses target the discoloration from deep within the skin to lift them out to the surface, causing treated areas to darken and flake off after the procedure. According to Dr. Patricia Wexler, a dermatologist from New York, IPL is sometimes done after laser treatments to thoroughly clean the skin.
Fractional Laser Resurfacing
This procedure is the most advanced and intense option to remove persistent and stubborn pigmentation. During the process, safe and controlled micro-injuries are inflicted on your skin to encourage its natural healing ability. The result is new, fresh skin without the pigmentation. This also helps in other skin issues like dry skin, wrinkles, and acne scars.
[Read: Tria Beauty Laser Reviews : Everything You Need to Know]
Conclusion
When products like face masks or moisturizers with lightening ingredients such as kojic acid, Vitamin C, hydroquinone, and retinoids still can’t help with your hyper-pigmented skin, there are a lot of other treatment options to choose from.
Research about them, ask your doctor, and try them out! You might even have the chance to say goodbye not only to dark spots but also to wrinkled, damaged, and crepey skin!
AUTHOR BIO:
Emma Smith is an eminent free analyst and has accomplished incredible statures in health, beauty and fitness niche. She is also a pioneer in advancements in skin care items, and battles for more prominent industry and government oversight of beauty care products fixings. She attempts to enhance the lives of her clients, spread data about well-being, wellness, excellence, and healthy skin items and practices her straightforward logic ‘Live, Love and Laugh’.
I have tried many different types and brands of skin lightening treatments at a variety of price points. I have some sun damage/dark spots from years of sun worshipping in the ’80s and more recently I developed melasma on my forehead and above my lip. I had some success with other products on the sun damage but the melasma was more difficult. I tried the Porcelain on a whim after seeing dermalmd skin lightning serum online with some good reviews. At first, I didn’t notice anything. no drying or peeling as others mentioned and really no improvements. I kept using it and within two weeks I definitely noticed improvements in both dark spots and with the melasma. It’s not gone and I doubt it will completely disappear without a more intensive (peel or laser) treatment, but it has faded tremendously and I am extremely pleased with the results. I would definitely recommend dermalmd serum.
Hi Lumby, that is so great to hear that you found something that works! Thanks for sharing.