 If you feel as though your complexion is being punished by the appearance of irregular patches of dark skin that never seem to go away, you are not alone. These dark spots or hyper-pigmented areas are among the greatest aesthetic concerns facing people today.
Pigmentation is color in your skin produced by melanin, a natural pigment that also determines eye and hair color. However, if too much melanin is produced in a single area, the result is a darkened patch on your skin.
Hyper-pigmentation that is both symmetrical and localized on the face is called melasma, unlike age or liver spots that do not match the sides of the face and that may also appear on the forearms and backs of hands.
Although melasma can affect anyone, women with darker skin tones (especially Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and Middle-Eastern) tend to be at greatest risk. It is more common in women of childbearing age and when associated with pregnancy it is called chloasma (“mask of pregnancy”). Women who take oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy are at increased risk.
As with many beauty concerns such as cellulite and acne, genetics plays a major role. Certain medications and any inflammatory injury or trauma to the skin, for example waxing of facial hair (especially above the lip), can trigger hyper-pigmentation.
The best treatment is prevention and the key to prevention is sun avoidance and daily sunscreen use. Although for most of us it may be too late for prevention, there are a number of treatment options now available. The most important first step in the treatment plan is to be evaluated by a knowledgeable specialist to determine the cause. That might include a history and physical exam and evaluation of the skin. A treatment regimen is then formulated.
While hydroquinone is widely considered a very effective skin-brightening agent, a recent ruling of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cited serious concerns with the safety of products containing hydroquinone. Not only can they cause a blue-black discoloration and thickening of the skin, but may also pose a cancer risk. By January 2007 all hydroquinone over-the-counter products will be withdrawn from consumer distribution. Hydroquinone has already been banned in Japan, much of the European Union, and Africa.
Fortunately, leading medical specialists are able to provide their patients with skin-brightening products without hydroquinone. One such product with a high safety margin is Cosmelan™ Depigmentation, which is a “Power-Level” skin rejuvenation treatment for stubborn and dense pigmentation. The melanin activity is regulated, causing the cells to slow down production and function in a more uniform way. This product works well even on darker-toned Asian and Latin skin.
A chemical peel is also a safe and effective form of treatment for pigmentation problems. The application of a chemical compound such as trichloracetic acid to the face will lead to the removal of the surface layer of damaged and irregularly pigmented skin. After the treatment the dead skin peels away, allowing healthier, clearer skin to emerge.
Microdermabrasion is a comprehensive approach to skin care in which the skin is literally “polished” and then the dull, flaky and discolored skin cells are vacuumed away. The technique delivers a gentle abrasion, which efficiently produces satisfactory results.
The FotoFacial, also known as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), is an effective alternative to treat hyper-pigmentation. The light is absorbed by the melanin-producing cells of the pigmented area, which subsequently slough off, leaving fresh new skin. IPL can smooth the skin and fade age spots, freckles, melasma, and even broken blood vessels.
With good sun protection, the effects of these treatments can be long-lasting, but the risks and benefits vary with each individual and should be discussed with a physician.
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