Here’s what you should know about pigmentation and its effects on your skin

Have you noticed dark spots on your face? This phenomenon is known as pigmentation. Skin pigmentation is the -darkening of your skin because of a certain amount of melanin in your skin. The melanin in your skin, hair and eyes gives them a unique colour. Due to the production of melanin in your body, your skin tends to be darker or lighter. Here, we are going to discuss about pigmentation, how it is caused, what are the different types of pigmentation and how it can affect your skin. We will also talk about some remedies to fight pigmentation on your skin.

What causes pigmentation?

Exposure to the sun causes pigmentation on your skin. Here’s a list of other factors that can cause pigmentation-

1. Use of certain medications Using certain medications such as chemotherapy can lead to pigmentation on your skin
2. Pregnancy hormones Most women tend to suffer from pigmentation on their skin during pregnancy.
3. Insulin resistance For people who suffer from diabetes, their skin often undergoes pigmentation due to insulin resistance.
4. Skin irritation or trauma Whenever a person suffers from a skin condition, their skin undergoes pigmentation.

Types of pigmentation

Injuries or any other changes in your body can lead your skin to get lighter, darker or change its colour. To help you understand pigmentation better, we have highlighted the three major types of skin pigmentation. These are hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and depigmentation.

1. Hyperpigmentation In this type of skin pigmentation disorder, a person’s skin tends to become darker or different in colour because of an abnormal level of melanin in the body.

Here’s what causes hyperpigmentation –

• Birthmarks
• Age spots
• Acne scars
• Pregnancy (during which melasma or tan, brown, or grey patches can appear on the face)
• Addison’s disease (a rare disorder that causes the decreased function of the adrenal gland and dark patches of skin)
• Certain drugs such as antibiotics and birth control pills
• Exposure to the sun
• Cryotherapy, laser therapy, or light therapy

2. Hypopigmentation

In this type of skin pigmentation disorder, a person’s skin tends to become lighter because of an abnormal level of melanin in the body.

Here’s what causes hypopigmentation in an individual’s skin –

1. Past skin injuries due to burns, blisters, ulcers, chemical exposure, or infection
2. Inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema (atopic dermatitis)
3. Rare genetic conditions like albinism, which is caused by the lack of a melanin-producing enzyme

3. Depigmentation

In this type of skin pigmentation disorder, a person’s skin completely loses pigment and turns white. One of the most common causes of depigmentation is vitiligo. It is an autoimmune condition that causes smooth, white patches to appear on an individual’s skin.

Remedies to fight pigmentation

We have listed down treatment methods for different types of pigmentation. Here’s a list to help you understand the remedies –

1. Treatment for hyperpigmentation

Different forms of hyperpigmentation can be treated with therapies such as topical medications like hydroquinone cream, chemical peels, dermabrasion, light, or laser therapy. However, it is crucial to understand that some therapies are not suitable for very dark skin types, such as laser resurfacing.

Also, in cases of pregnancy where women tend to suffer from darker skin spots, one must talk to their doctor. Applying sunscreen can help hyperpigmentation from worsening. However, if it does not go away, then one can use over the counter medicated creams.

2. Treatment for hypopigmentation and depigmentation

In the case of hypopigmentation, you should give your skin some time and patience as it takes time for your skin to rebuild. However, you can also opt for cosmetic surgeries if you are looking for a quick fix to this skin problem.

For depigmentation from chronic skin conditions, consult a dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan for your skin.

Based on the cause, you can opt for therapies such as covering patches with a dye, light therapy, prescription creams or surgery.

At skinnsi, we offer laser hair removal services to give you a smooth and glowing skin. As mentioned in the ‘treatment for hyperpigmentation’ section, you can opt for laser hair removal treatment.

To know more about this painless and cost-effective treatment, you can head to our website and check out the different types of laser hair removal treatments available with skinnsi.