Hyperpigmentation

Skin patches looking darker - unlike the surrounding areas it is the feature of hyperpigmentation. The first sun spots (also known as liver spots or age spots) can appear on different parts of body. Sun spots are one of the most well-known forms of uneven skin tone and it’s impossible to hide them, they look ugly. Unevenly pigmented skin cells are adhered closely to the skin’s surface. It means that microdermabrasion can easily reach and remove them, so let the normally pigmented skin underneath be uncovered.

Microdermabrasion against hyperpigmentation

Undoubtedly, among all skin resurfacing procedures against uneven skin tone, microdermabrasion is the least invasive treatment. The microdermabrasion procedure leads in peeling off a very delicate skin layer by sandblasting it with aluminum oxide micro crystals flow.

Usually dark sun spots are improved but are not removed completely. For those with severe hyperpigmentation it’s better to look at other treatments.

Also microdermabrasion treatment improves turnover of cells fighting with the irregular pigmentation. While the old, pigmented cells are shed, the new, normally-pigmented skin cells replace them.

Many people resort to microdermabrasion procedure once and if disappointed they give up. This is superficial exfoliation so results can be mentioned only after 10-12 treatment. Therefore, one will be satisfied with the effects after applying full treatment.

Hyperpigmentation removal

There are a lot of treatments against hyper pigmentation. Here is the list of the most common and available procedures:

* Hydroxy Acid Peels - cause cell renewal rate increasing and improve hyper pigmentation marks. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) remove hyper pigmentation, being water soluble acids; Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s) are lipid soluble acids which, however, are not so good at removing hyper pigmentation, but increase the exfoliation rate.

* Laser resurfacing - normal laser skin resurfacing cause evaporating of the first few damaged layers, so a fresh, evenly toned skin is left behind. To achieve better results, it’s recommended to use hydroquinone or mild chemical peels.

* Intense Pulsed Light - IPL is a kind of laser removes scars, sometimes heal freckles or other mild sun spots, but with no peels being applied or hydroquinone creams in advance.

* Hydroquinone Creams - the skin is bleached by decreasing the production of melanin. Dark spots disappear in a few weeks. They are appropriate for hyper pigmentations which are not caused by hormonal changes.

* Physician Formulas - are considered to be the most effective treatments while being the most expensive (Kinerase, Retin A, Renova, Avita etc).

The reasons of hyperpigmentation

The most well-known form of uneven skin tone liver spots are considered to be. The medical term is “solar lentigines” and they are caused by sun damage. Hands, neck and face are most prone to age spots because they are exposed to the sun. The lack of appropriate SPF protection and excessive sun exposure causes liver spots.

Melasma or chloasma spots look like age spots however hormonal changes are the reason and they are larger. They can be mentioned on face (temples and forehead), chest or abdomen, depending on hyper pigmentation reason.

Melasma spots are appeared more often because of hormonal changes (for instance, pregnancy or birth control pills) and after child birth or when the birth control treatment is stopped they disappear.

Usually skin with uneven pigmentation has a lot of freckles on it, appearing anywhere on the body - on the face, cleavage and hands. Normally, freckles are heritage from parents.

Acne scarring or other skin conditions, leaving marks after healing may lead skin hyperpigmentation. Also hyperpigmentation may be caused by injuries or cosmetic surgery burns.

Such components of drug treatment as amiodarone, cyclophosphamide, tetracycline, minocycline and quinacrine also may result to hyperpigmentation. With available history of taking some of these drugs it s better to consult with a dermatologist.

NOTE: Popular belief says that any dark spot is a sign of skin cancer, but that is not true. Actually, melanin is the natural brown pigment which the skin tone depends on, so this component causes color changes.

Uneven Skin Tone and Sun Exposure

It doesn’t matter what hyper pigmentation one may have; in spite of all conditions it’s very dangerous to expose unevenly pigmented skin to the sun. Age spots, freckles, or melasma change in darker or larger condition. Ultraviolet rays are absorbed by melanin to achieve the skin protection. Such process is named tanning; during hyperpigmentation, it can result to darkening of any dark patches.

Plenty of broad spectrum sun block are very useful (both UVA and UVB can be blocked by SPF lotion). If it’s too late for prevention it doesn’t mean it’s too late for care.