Dr Anil Ganjoo talks about forms of hyperpigmentation and its effects of skin as well as procedures & treatment for Hyperpigmentation
In hyperpigmentation the patches of the skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin. It is harmless condition but in some cases, it may also be a symptom of illness or any disease. People are concerned about this condition because of its aesthetic implications which disturbs them and cause stress and anxiety. Major causes of hyperpigmentation are, Melanocyte concentrations become very high & Hyperactivation of melanocytes. Various forms of Hyperpigmentation Disorders include : Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) – In this type of hyperpigmentation there is injury to the skin due to burns, psoriasis, acne lesions, skin friction and sometimes even due to the application of some skincare treatments. This condition usually eliminates the activation of the skin regeneration system but can take many months. Hyperpigmentation treatment works quite effectively on PIH. UV Exposure/ Generalised Dullness of Skin - In this type of hyperpigmentation skin is subjected to normal UVB sun exposure. It appears in the form of general skin dullness on the entire face. The skin tone of the face becomes dull and dark as compared to the other parts of the body. Solar Lentigines – They are common form of hyperpigmentation referred to as liver or age spots. With progressive aging, these spots become more visible but aging is not directly responsible for their appearance. These are caused primarily due to excessive exposure to UV rays. Melasma – Melasma is also called as cholasma caused due to hormonal imbalance. In melasma larger areas of darkened skin appear most often as a result of hormonal changes. Pregnancy triggers overproduction of melanin that causes the "mask of pregnancy" Birthmarks – They are caused by the cluster of the pigmented cells or malformed blood vessels. Birthmarks may go away without treatment, stay the same, or change over time. They also may be present in different colours or contain different types of tissue. As the name indicate these pigmentations are present at birth. Other forms of Hyperpigmentation include Heredity, Skin picking, Medications like antibiotics, hormones, and anti-seizure medications & Skin inflammation Issued in Public Interest by Oaknet Healthcare Treatment of Hyperpigmentation There are many types of treatments for hyperpigmentation which includes the use of Cosmeceuticals & Prescription Skin Care Broad-spectrum sunscreen like SPF 30 and above is recommended during sun exposure to prevent any skin damage due to UV rays exposure. These sunscreens should containing physical blockers such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide In the case of melasma or PIH, topical treatment options include retinoids, azelaic acid, hydroquinone, corticosteroids, kojic acid & vitamin C Hydroquinone is the ‘Gold Standard’ for treatment of hyperpigmentation. For enhancing the results of hyperpigmentation treatment, Hydroquinone is used in combination with antioxidants, hydroxy acids retinoids. Kojic acid offers almost similar results to that of hydroquinone and even better when used in combination with hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Vitamin A products helps in skin rejuvenation and resurfacing and also helps to increase the turnover of cells. Alpha Hydroxy Acids not only exfoliate skin but also smooth the skin and increase the cell turnover while giving even skin tone. Topical treatment with azelaic acid, offer optimal benefit when combined with a topical corticosteroid. Procedures for Hyperpigmentation Cosmetic procedures for hyperpigmentation include: