Skin discoloration and how to treat it
Have you noticed any darker skin around your mouth? Or how your forehead is much more tanned than the rest of your face?
That’s skin discoloration which is also known as Hyperpigmentation. In medical terms, it is used to describe the dark patches on your skin.
It is quite common with people who are exposed to sun for a longer period of time. However, this medical condition can definitely be treated. So, if you are dealing with one, there are a number of different treatment options available.
Lightening Creams
Lightening creams are quite effective over-the-counter (OTC) treatment that decreases hyperpigmentation.
They are usually applied twice a day. The texture of the creams is quite light and sometimes they are also available in gel form.
Such creams work best for flat spots and are inexpensive. Moreover, they are readily available online or at any nearby store.
Face Acids
A face acid is actually an exfoliator that sheds the top layer of the skin.
It evens out your skin and makes it buttery soft and smooth.
You can definitely give salicylic acid a try! It helps remove hyperpigmentation.
Retinoids or Serums
Retinoids are excellent when it comes to thoroughly cleansing your face from within to cure skin discoloration. They penetrate deep into the skin and treat the layers present below the epidermis.
There are different serums available with Retinoid as their ingredient.
You can definitely give the dark spot pigmentation serum which treats dark patches in no time!
Chemical peel
Chemical peels are quite strong in their concentration level to treat the affected area of the skin. They do so by removing the epidermis. They work better on naturally fairer skin tones and work faster as compared to face acids.
However, with chemical peels, it is advisable to take prescriptions from a dermatologist because they might have certain side-effects such as itchiness and redness.
Skin resurfacing (Laser peel)
It uses targeted beams of light to treat hyperpigmentation.
There are basically two types of layers:
- Ablative
- Non-ablative
Ablative is a method of treating prominent issues in different layers of your skin. On the other hand non-ablative only target the topmost layer of the skin and tightens up your pores.
Hence, it is important to consult a dermatologist as she/her will give you the right treatment depending on your skin.
Intense pulse light therapy (IPL)
It is a type of non-ablative laser treatment and requires multiple sessions. It not only fights pigmentation but also helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It does so by stimulating collagen growth within the dermis.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves the removal of epidermis and is effective in removing the innermost layer of the skin as well.
The additional benefits of Dermabrasion are:
- Acne scars
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Chickenpox scars
- Injury scars
Dermabrasion is a nice option if you want to treat hyperpigmentation quickly.
Microdermabrasion
Just like dermabrasion, it also involves several visits to treat hyperpigmentation that affects the epidermis only.
Microdermabrasion might be a little painful and costly as well.
Now let’s look at which option would be best suitable for which skin tone!
- Fair skin tone
- High-beam lasers
- IPL therapy
- Medium skin tone
- Chemical peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Deeper skin tone
- Laser treatment
- Microdermabrasion
- Serums or retinoids
Conclusion
Hyperpigmentation or skin discoloration is a medical condition that comes with many treatments. The treatments may range from inexpensive daily use of serums to quite costly laser treatments depending on the skin texture and severity of your skin. The best you can do is to take necessary precautions and not go out in the sun without applying sunscreen. Because the sun is the ultimate enemy of your skin!