Hyperpigmentation Causes & Treatment
When it comes to the skin, hyperpigmentation is by far one of the most common issues affecting both men and woman alike. Hyperpigmentation, often simply referred to as skin discoloration, is characterized by dark, brownish spots along the face and the body, these areas of the skin that become darker in only those specific areas are a result of excess melanin. According to Dr. Carol Huang, of Long Island Dermatology, the best dermatologist Little Neck has in practice, while the excess melanin is certainly a direct cause for the hyperpigmentation spots, but the reason for the additional melanin is caused by sun damage, hormonal changes, acne and inflammation.
The important thing to understand when it comes to hyperpigmentation spots is how and why exactly such skin discolorations affects certain specific people, and those with specific types of skin and skin tones. According to Dr. Huang, the best dermatologist Little Neck has to offer, hyperpigmentation is a serious concern, and can have debilitating affects depending upon your specific skin type, tone, or texture. Before we understand how it is we might treat skin discolorations, here are some interesting ways in which hyperpigmentation can affect people with varying skin tones.
· Darker Skin – People with darker skin are naturally more susceptible to dark spots. The main reason for this is that the skin is already creating melanin, which is what gives it a darker color, and when hormones or trauma trigger an increase in this melanin production, you are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation.
· Treating Darker Skin – According to the best dermatologist Little Neck has to offer, it is more difficult to treat dark spots in darker skin tones. You need to be gentle enough to ensure that you don’t irritate or inflame the skin to the point where you are causing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
· Lighter Skin – Those with lighter skin tones have fewer limitations when it comes to treatments for hyperpigmentation, as their risk to overproduce melanin is significantly less. Lighter skin tones, however, are more likely to form dark spots as a result of sun damage.
The one thing about hyperpigmentation is that it is important for patients to understand how exactly they might treat the underlying causes of hyperpigmentation and thus the discolorations themselves. For darker skin types, it is advised that those individuals avoid in-office and at-home treatments that cause too much trauma to the skin. For example, IPL laser or hydroquinone are known to be quite effective on those patients with darker skin tones – both are considered by some to be top treatments for hyperpigmentation, but could actually worsen the condition. This is an issue as there is quite a bit of misinformation out there amongst prospective patients. According to Dr. Huang, the best dermatologist Little Neck has to offer, here are some of the most effective means of hyperpigmentation treatment.
· Vitamin C – Known to both brighten, and add firmness to the skin – while also being able to lighten dark spots and discoloration along the face and body. Not only does it treat existing spots, but it can also prevent future spots from occurring.
· Kojic Acid – This acid inhibits and prevents the formation of tyrosine, decreasing melanin production, effectively lightening dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
· Lactic Acid – While lactic acid is commonly derived from milk, naturally by the body, lactic acid gently loosens the bonds between epidermal cells to exfoliate skin’s surface. This allows for increased penetration of vitamin C. It also naturally hydrates, reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) through the stimulation of ceramides and GAGS in skin.
For more information on eliminating hyperpigmentation issues, be sure to contact Long Island Dermatology today.
