What are the effective treatments for pigmentation issues?

Skin pigmentation issues are common concerns affecting people of all ages and skin types. These conditions occur when the skin produces excess or insufficient melanin, leading to an uneven skin tone, dark patches, or light spots. While not usually harmful, pigmentation disorders can impact confidence and self-esteem. So what are the effective treatments for pigmentation issues? And what can you expect?

What are the different types of skin pigmentation issues?

There are several different types of skin pigmentation issues that can cause a range of changes to the colour of your skin. These issues include:

Hyperpigmentation, including melasma and sunspots

Hypopigmentation, including vitiligo

What is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation refers to dark patches or spots on the skin caused by an excess production of melanin. Common forms of hyperpigmentation include:

Melasma- This is often triggered by hormonal changes, and it will present as brown or grayish patches on the face. These are often seen on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. This is commonly experienced during pregnancy, and in women who take hormonal contraceptives.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)- This pigmentation issue most frequently occurs following skin inflammation or injury, such as acne, burns, or cuts. It leaves behind dark patches that can take months to fade.

Sunspots- Also known as age spots or liver spots, these are caused by prolonged sun exposure and typically appear on areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, and shoulders.

What is hypopigmentation?

Hypopigmentation is the opposite of hyperpigmentation, and so this refers to the loss of skin pigment, leading to lighter patches. Common conditions include:

Vitiligo- This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks melanin-producing cells, leading to white patches on the skin.

Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation- This occurs after skin trauma, leaving lighter patches behind, which may or may not return to their original colour over time.

So, what are the effective treatments for pigmentation issues?

There are several different treatment options that can be applied to address pigmentation issues and problems, the most common of which being chemical peels and IPL rejuvenation. 

Treating pigmentation issues with chemical peels

Chemical peels are a non invasive, topical aesthetic treatment option. This works by applying a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate the top layer and encourage the regeneration of new, healthier skin cells. This process helps to reduce pigmentation issues by removing the affected outer layers of skin, and allowing these to be replaced with fresh skin cells, leading to a more even skin tone. Chemical peels can also improve overall skin tone.

There are a number of different types of chemical peel, including:

Superficial peels- These use mild acids such as glycolic or lactic acid to remove the outermost layer of skin. As such, they are ideal for treating mild hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and dull skin.

Medium peels- Containing stronger acids like trichloroacetic acid (TCA), these penetrate deeper into the skin, making them more effective for melasma and more pronounced sun damage.

Deep peels- Using strong acids like phenol, deep peels reach the lower dermal layers. These are used for severe pigmentation but require longer recovery times. These are often only implemented in medical settings.

What are the benefits of chemical peels for pigmentation issues?

There are a number of advantages and benefits to using chemical peels to treat pigmentation issues and problems. These include:

Stimulating skin cell turnover, reducing dark spots

Improving skin texture and radiance

Treating sun damage and mild acne scars

Providing gradual and natural looking results

Treating pigmentation issues with IPL rejuvenation

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is a popular non-invasive treatment option for pigmentation issues. It works by emitting pulses of light that target the melanin within the skin, breaking down dark spots while stimulating collagen production. 

The benefits of IPL rejuvenation for pigmentation issues include: 

Non-invasive with minimal downtime

Improving overall skin tone and clarity

Reducing redness and broken capillaries along with pigmentation issues

Stimulating collagen for younger looking skin

For more information or advice about aesthetic treatment options to treat pigmentation issues and problems, why not get in touch with Preston’s leading experts today, here at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic?