Hyperpigmentation
What is hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, a process that is manifested by the appearance of dark spots on the body.
The most common forms of hyperpigmentation are:
- Ephelids or freckles (have genetic transmission and are due to increased melanin production, melanocytes being in normal numbers);
- Dark lentigo-spot on the surface of the skin surrounded by normally coloured skin, with well-defined edges (due to melanocyte cell hyperplasia-increase in the number of melanocytes);
- Melasma-intensification of melanic pigment deposition manifested by the appearance of brown spots (melasma is hyperpigmentation of hormonal cause that occurs in pregnancy);
- Post-inflammatory skin pigmentation following skin trauma or radiation therapy in cancer treatments;
- Photosensitive dermatitis.
What are the causes
Among the most common causes of hyperpigmentation are:
- Prolonged exposure to UV radiation;
- Endocrine factors - melasma or chloasma occurs physiologically in pregnancy due to specific hormonal load, or following treatments with various hormonal preparations outside of pregnancy;
- Aesthetic procedures such as laser treatment or chemical peeling may promote skin hyperpigmentation;
- Post acne;
- Pituitary disorders that lead to increased melanotropic hormone production;
- Skin allergies (to cosmetics, perfumes, medicines, sunburn after prolonged sun exposure);
- Following henna tattoos (residual hyperpigmentation of the skin);
- Ageing (increased volume and increased melanocyte activity).
How it manifests
Hyperpigmentation is more common in areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun: the face, décolleté, shoulders, back chest, or dorsal of our hands. The condition is manifested by the appearance of dark spots from brown to black with well-defined edges that do not stand out (they remain in the same plane with the affected skin).
What is the treatment of hyperpigmented spots
The treatment of the disease can be done with the help of medicinal preparations such as Hydroquinone, Tretinoin (not in pregnancy), Tranexamic Acid but also with various topics based on corticosteroids.
Cosmetic procedures to reduce hyperpigmentation are represented by:
- laser therapy or intense pulsed light in which intense light is emitted at the affected area at certain wavelengths with a reduction in melanin levels;
- chemical peeling- uses acidic substances that remove the superficial layers of the skin followed by its regeneration with the fading of stains;
- medical micro-needling is the procedure through which microchannels are made in the skin that stimulates the secretion of collagen with the appearance of a new layer of skin in 10-14 days;
- cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent that destroys excess pigment;
- microdermabrasion removal with the help of a special rotating brush of the skin surface layer (cleaning and removal of dead cells from the skin surface). After the microdermabrasion treatment, crusts are formed which, after healing, leave a new layer of uniformly pigmented skin.