Who doesn’t want clearer, smoother and flawless skin? But getting flawless skin is not as easy as it sounds as there can be several bottlenecks in the journey of getting healthier and radiant skin. One such major bottleneck is pigmentation or hyperpigmentation which is caused due to overproduction of melanin in our body. The overproduction of melanin can cause discolouration and darkening of the skin. Many factors can lead to pigmentation like sunlight exposure, dust, following an unhealthy lifestyle, etc. For some people, pigmentation is a major issue as it affects the skin health and overall personality. However, skin pigmentation can be treated and one can get their healthy and natural skin back.
In this article, let’s look at some of the prominent causes and types of pigmentation and the available treatment options.
WHAT IS PIGMENTATION?
Before understanding pigmentation, it’s important to know about melanin. Melanin is a substance that is produced by our body and which is responsible for providing colour to our skin, eyes, and hair. Many reasons determine the amount of melanin in the body like genetics, and the amount of sun exposure that a person’s ancestors had. If a person has more melanin, she will likely have darker skin, hair and eyes. Therefore, pigmentation is caused by the overproduction of melanin in our body. Some people can have a high amount of melanin in their body naturally whereas some people are not born with high melanin but develop over some time due to many factors. However, with the right treatment, you can get rid of these pigmentation or dark spots.
WHAT CAUSES PIGMENTATION?
Several factors affect the natural colour, texture, and tone of our skin. Some internal factors like hormonal changes or external factors like environmental causes can result in pigmentation. So, here is a list of reasons that cause skin pigmentation
- Skin Damage is caused by the UV rays emitted by the Sun.
- Using inferior quality sunscreen with an SPF of less than 30.
- Side effects of some drugs or medical treatments
- Not taking care of skin health
- Using harsh chemical-laden cosmetic products.
- Delaying the treatment of acne and pimples.
MAJOR TYPES OF PIGMENTATION
Let’s look at some of the types of pigmentation
- Freckles
- Melasma
- Sunspots or solar Lentigines
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Post acne spots
- Matured Skin Spots
BEST TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PIGMENTATION
Depending upon the type of pigmentation and its severity, there are a couple of options that can be selected by the patient to treat the pigmentation. At the Collagen Clinic, you can interact with Dr Priyanka who will provide you with the best customised solution. Let’s look at some of the available options.
- Chemical Peel Pigmentation Treatment
This therapy involves applying certain acids or chemical solutions to the affected area that exfoliate the skin and reduce the blemishes and dark spots caused by pigmentation.
- Laser Therapy Pigmentation Treatment
In Laser therapy, the light targets the affected area and reduces the blemishes on the skin.
- Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that reduces the top layer of the skin, thereby reducing the pigmentation.
- Microdermabrasion
Like dermabrasion, it is also a skin-resurfacing procedure that helps in removing pigmentation and improves the texture of the skin.
- Topical Pigmentation Treatment
Topical treatments are a very easy and hassle-free solution that involves the use of vitamin C, glycolic acid, glucosamine, corticosteroids, etc that help in lightening the affected skin thereby treating the blemishes and pigmentation.
SOME TIPS TO PREVENT PIGMENTATION
- Follow a consistent skincare routine that involves cleansing, toning, and moisturising.
- Always apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Please make sure that you don’t rely on a moisturiser that comes with SPF for sun protection as to get effective protection against the Sun, it is important to apply a separate sunscreen.
- Use sunglasses and hats to get complete protection from the scorching sun.
- Don’t procrastinate on seeking treatments for acne and pimples as they can later result in blemishes.
- To restore skin’s radiance, apply mulberry extract, turmeric and retinol-based skin products.
- Consume a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid junk food. Keep yourself hydrated.
- Practise some de-stressing activities like yoga and meditation to deal with emotional distress and tension.
- Don’t compromise on your beauty sleep.
If you are also dealing with pigmentation and don’t know how to treat it, then you can visit the Collagen Clinic, where Dr Priyanka can guide you through the treatment options for the pigmentation.