20 Sep Skin Pigmentation: Types, Causes, Prevention and Treatment
Pigmentation is one of the most common dermatological issues in Australia today.
With our generally good weather, it’s no surprise we have one of the highest rates of sun-induced skin conditions globally. Hyperpigmentation (when the skin darkens) is the most common issue that Aussies suffer from, but cases of hypopigmentation (where the skin lightens) are on the rise too.
Pigmentation can be challenging to deal with because of the way it visibly affects the skin. Sufferers often become self-conscious of their appearance and get frustrated when drugstore remedies don’t deliver results.
In this blog, we’ll cover types, causes, preventive measures, and the most effective pigmentation treatments available for safe, long-term pigmentation removal…
Book a pigmentation consultation!
Types of Pigmentation
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is an overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. It can result in darker skin patches and lead to the following conditions:
- Melasma: Large, irregularly shaped dark patches that appear mostly on the face (in particular, the cheeks, forehead and upper lip).
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots left behind after an inflammation skin condition or injury. They can often have a brown, red, or purplish hue, depending on the skin tone and the severity of the inflammation.
- Sunspots: Flat, black or brown spots often found on sun-exposed areas like the face, hands, and arms. They can vary in size from small dots to larger patches.
- Freckles: Small brown spots or clusters of spots. They are usually most visible on the cheeks, nose and forehead, becoming more pronounced with sun exposure.
- Age Spots: Also known as liver spots, they can appear anywhere on the body. They are usually brown, grey, or black and can be larger than freckles, often appearing as single spots or in clusters.
Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation refers to a loss or reduction of skin colour due to a decreased amount of melanin. This results in lighter patches of skin and can be associated with one or more of the below disorders:
- Vitiligo: An autoimmune disorder that causes white patches on the skin.
- Albinism: A condition characterised by a complete or partial absence of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes.
- Pityriasis Alba: A mild form of dermatitis often seen in children, causing pale, scaly patches on the face and other areas.
- Tinea Versicolor: A fungal infection that leads to small, light (sometimes dark) patches of skin, usually on the chest, back, or arms.
- Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis: Small, round white spots, often found on sun-exposed areas like the arms and legs.
What Causes Skin Pigmentation?
The most common causes of pigmentation are:
- Sun Exposure: UV radiation triggers increased melanin production, leading to hyperpigmentation issues like freckles and sunspots.
- Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy or the use of hormonal/birth control medications can lead to conditions like melasma.
- Inflammation or Injury: Skin trauma from acne, eczema, cuts or burns can cause post-inflammatory changes.
- Genetic Factors: Conditions like albinism or vitiligo are inherited and affect pigmentation from birth.
- Medical Conditions: Certain diseases can cause excessive pigmentation. These include albinism or vitiligo (mentioned above) as well as hemochromatosis (iron overload) Addison’s disease, lupus and Cushing’s syndrome.
- Medications: Some medications have pigmentation as a potential side effect. Examples include minocycline, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin, and anticonvulsant medications like phenytoin.
How to Prevent Pigmentation
The four most effective prevention strategies for pigmentation are:
- Sun Protection: Protect your skin with sunscreen (at least an SPF 30 lotion, but SPF 50 is better), wear protective clothing like long sleeves, hats and sunglasses, and avoid peak sun hours (approx. 10 am – 4 pm).
- Skincare Routine: Incorporating antioxidant-rich serums, exfoliation, and moisturising skincare products can help maintain good skin health, texture and tone.
- Avoid Irritation: Be gentle with your skin. Avoid picking at blemishes or using harsh scrubs, as these can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Hormonal Management: Consult with doctors and dermatologists to manage your hormone levels if they contribute to pigmentation problems.
Pigmentation Treatment Options
We recommend the following skin treatments and laser treatments for pigmentation:
- Topical Treatments: Creams and serums with ingredients like hydroquinone, retinoids, or vitamin C can help reduce melanin production and lighten pigmentation. They are ideal for mild cases of melasma, age spots, and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
- Chemical Peels: These involve applying acids to exfoliate the skin and remove pigmented layers. They are effective for treating sunspots, age spots, and mild to moderate melasma.
- Laser Therapy: Laser pigmentation removal treatments like Quattro or Excel V use light to break up pigments in the skin. They are effective for deep pigmentation like age spots and severe melasma.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): IPL uses broad-spectrum light to target pigmented areas in the skin. It can treat sunspots, age spots, and melasma by breaking down excess melanin and improving skin tone. It is less invasive than lasers and can cover larger areas at once.
- Microdermabrasion: A mechanical exfoliation technique to remove the top layer of skin. It helps reduce the appearance of superficial pigmentation, such as sunspots and mild post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves freezing pigmented skin cells using liquid nitrogen. It is ideal for isolated lesions like age spots and sunspots.
If you have pigmentation, come to us to have your skin assessed and a tailored treatment plan put in place.