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The Ultimate Guide To Pigmentation, Its Causes & Treatments

By Mary Basiadima, 15 April 2020

Thank you for our to pigmentation. We hope after you have finished reading it you will be better to tackle your pigmentation. (8 min read)

This guide covers the following areas:

What is pigmentation?

According to the Mariam Webster dictionary pigmentation is :

"a colouring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue"

What causes skin pigmentation?

We can suffer from pigmentation issues whatever age, sex, skin tone and ethnicity we are.

Skin pigmentation can result in an over or under production of melanin. Melanin is produced by the in the . When there is an over of pigmentation it is called hyperpigmentation, when not enough is produced it is called hypopigmentation.

and are not sure of the for certain skin pigmentation changes. Other conditions like sun spots have obvious causes.

Pigmentation and hyperpigmentation

Pigmentation of the skin is a misleading phrase as all skin contains . When it is unwanted or a problem it is best referred to as .

causes dark patches or spots. They can be beige, brown, red or purplish coloured and can appear anywhere.

The sun is one of the causes of pigmentation, along with pregnancy and changes. Below are the most common forms of pigmentation. Sometimes it can be severe and like or albinism. Let’s look at these two extreme forms of first.

Pop star Michael Jackson is said to have suffered from vitiligo which saw his skin colour change over the years from dark to light.

Other severe skin pigmentation issues can occur due to conditions, changes and sometimes shock.

Pigmentation seen in is not a severe as the two above. The following types of pigmentation are more common, with one of the most .

What is Melasma?

by is called Melasma. (It is also known as ‘chloasma’ or ?? mask’). The name comes from melas which is the Greek word for black. It results in brown or greyish patches of usually on the face.

It is more common in women with up to 50% affected during pregnancy, in people of colour and those who tan easily.

Hyperpigmentation From Sun Damage (Solar Lentigenes)

When on the face it is normally found on the most areas of the cheeks, nose and forehead. They can look like freckles or age spots or just as of colour. Sun spots or age spots are commonly found in people over 50 but they can also appear in younger people who have spent many hours in the sun.

Hyperpigmentation from Acne Scarring

Scarring from acne can also cause hyperpigmentation. It is often red and can be very noticeable and difficult to cover up as the skins surface is damaged and uneven.

Acne pigmentation

This is caused by the extra melanin which can form around damaged skin. It is often to as hyperpigmentation and can be removed with careful skin care and laser treatment. Lasers destroy the discoloration and is for all skin types

The left behind by acne can be as bad as the acne and is more permanent. If an acne breakout gradually fades away red, brown or discolouration, where the spots once were, can permanently be left behind.

Freckles (Lentigenes / Ephelides)

is one freckle and lentigene are many. are a type of . The for them is . They happen because more melanin is across the skin. This causes little spots of discolouration known as a .

Freckles are not caused by the sun. They’re genetic. They do, however, appear when the skin is to the sun.

What can I do about hyperpigmentation?

The best against it to use When it is caused by medication or by certain it is best to speak to your doctor.

Before have the area by a skincare expert, doctor or dermatologist. Any skin changes should also be checked by a .

Once you are given the go ahead for and have been advised there is nothing about your pigmentation, or any recent changes, you can take the next step to have them treated. But what are available?

Treatments for hyperpigmentation

There are many cures, over the counter lotions and creams all to work for . The internet is full of them. And they are usually quite expensive. Only a few of these treatments will have an effect for most people.

That is why it is important to speak to a professional so they can point you in the right . Trying to navigate through all the claims and promises can leave your off and out of pocket for hundreds of pounds.

Some of the best proven treatments for pigmentation are listed below.

(OTC) treatments use specific ingredients to reduce pigmentation in either gel or cream form. Many have stronger varieties available via . Applied once or twice a day, over time they help the skin over time.

Creams or gels are most effective on flat spots like age spots or . They are also good for of discoloration across most .

OTC products are easily available and a more affordable option for hyperpigmentation. They can take longer to work than professional treatments.

If you are buying online only from websites and you trust.

Face or skin acids or shed the top layer of your skin. The new older ones out your skin tone making it .

Face acids are available OTC at and . Always look for an acid content of 10% or less from a trusted source. A higher may of side effects and are best left to in a clinic setting.

Popular acids include:

Face acids are ideal for mild hyperpigmentation on lighter .

are some of the oldest used in the beauty industry. Derived from A, their small lets them deeply penetrate into the skin layers below the epidermis.

can be either or OTC, with OTC being weaker. If after a few months you don’ results ask your about (Retin-A).

may be safe for all skin tones. If you have darker skin, check with your skin care if you plan on using them long term.

Also retinoids may not be the first line of defence as they are more often used to treat than .

goes much deeper into the layers of the skin then and is more with a longer time required. The results are more as a result of the .

For a diamond head is used along with a unique nourishing serum. are "blasted" over the skins in a controlled way.

Old and damaged skin is smoothed away with clear, left behind.  As the layer is removed collagen production is encouraged. A course of is ideal to or pigmentation.

Practitioners can use various methods to lessen the pain to a or so you should not worry about it being .

The treatment must only be carried out by . Too much or over vigorous treatment can damage the skin and actually cause new to form. If is very effective. It can be used on a wide range of pigmentation acne scarring.

works best on and for people with lighter skin. Your will help you decide whether it is the right treatment for you.

Dermabrasion works on more serious and is far more riskier, a longer process of days. There is also a risk of infection as layers of skin are scrapped away.

A chemical is used to take off upper layers of skin. The most is acid mixed with other skin nurturing ingredients.

The is applied by brush and left like a normal facial peel. When it is removed the skin sheds. This happens over the course of a few days.  sun block after a peel is critical. If not more pigmentation may occur as the new fresh skin is very vulnerable and delicate.

Two popular peels many clinics offer are the Cosmelan Peel and the Dermaquest Peel.

which is effective for reducing dark spots and patches. It is a one-off peel that is suitable for anyone from deep pigmentation or melasma. It blocks the melanin production in problem cells so gets to the root of the problem.

After the peel you will need an extensive home care kit to help improve your results in the weeks and months following the treatment.

This is a more gentle pigmentation peel. It is ideal for targeting sun spots, age spots and . It works by the skin the skin.

Skin peels are also treatment for rejuvenating the skin where age spots or darker pigmentation is . Over a course of treatments, a Alpha is applied under clinical . This removes a layer of skin revealing fresh, undamaged skin beneath. The treatment is not and the results are superb.

Chemical peels are best suited to treat age spots, sun damage, and blotchy skin. They also work best on lighter skin tones and may provide results than face acid products.

Non invasive and pain free, laser treatment is very against many forms of pigmentation. It is becoming increasingly because of the results and used.

Todays lasers are more advanced and sophisticated then earlier models and are now very successful on a range of skin types too.The laser beam the unwanted in the skin cells. It destroys the without affecting the surrounding .

The pigmentation is then removed from the body naturally over time through its immune system. Laser pigmentation removal is not painful or . After 2-6 sessions most will notice   in skin.

Laser treatment work well on Freckles, Sun Spots, Hyperpigmentation, Age spots (solar lentigines), Flat pigmented birthmarks (congenital melanocytic naevi) and is suitable on all skin types.

IPL is a type of (fractional) laser treatment. Non ablative means it heats up the skin and is gentler then ablative procedures which the layers of skin and a longer period.

Intense Pulsed Light treatment  (IPL) is great for skin tones. It is different then laser as it uses wavelengths to target larger areas. Unlike laser which focus a targeted laser on an exact spot at an exact wavelength.

production and growth is stimulated within the dermis. It normally requires multiple .

IPL is used for overall issues, but flat spots especially respond to this treatment. It may also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, spider veins, and pores.

IPL works best for people with fair skin.

What works best for your skin tone?

Skin tone affects the and length of treatments. People with all skin tones can use the mentioned above but if you have a darker skin tone you may need more time for treatments to work.

The following may be ruled out if you easily tan or have darker skin:

lasers

IPL therapy

peels

microdermabrasion

or kojic acid

microdermabrasion

lower-strength peels

laser treatments – only used at lower intensities over a larger number of sessions

Dark Circles Under The Eye Dark (Preorbital Dark Circles)

Dark under the eyes or preorbital dark occur when the skin below the eyes shows blood and pools. They appear blue in people with fair skin as skin only lets in the blue wavelength of light.

If they appear darker it is because under eye circles reflect light from blood under the thin skin. The contrast is greater and more apparent the lighter your skin. Skin under your eyes is only 0.5mm thick which compares to 2mm thick on rest of your body.

Causes range from:

Dark under eye circles can be treated by a number of ways.

microneedling and .  It stimulates collagen production and helps to plump and firm the skin. The skin under the eyes becomes fuller unable to blue light as much and reducing the dark appearance.

or "bags" often come with dark . Dermal fillers can help restore brighter, more eyes. Injectables are not for everyone and can be seen as a step to far but they do work well and are an option.

This works by beneath the skins to start cell regrowth. Heat the tissue which makes it pull together and lift. It reaches deep into the layers stimulating cell and dark .

Designed for ages 30 – 50, it can either be used to or .  Results over eight weeks and it is considered to be highly effective, safe as well as FDA .

With so many and on offer, you don’t need to suffer with skin any longer. The first step you can take today is to apply good quality high SPF sun cream to your skin. The next step should be to contact a skin care to examine and discuss your skin and draw up a treatment plan for you.

Why not book a free with one of our today. It’s free, the only cost is your time.

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