Know About Hyperpigmentation & Melasma Treatment Cure

Hyperpigmentation is simply a work overproduction of melanin, a pigment that creates the skin's color. The spots or patches can turn darker in comparison to the rest of the body. It can take many forms, such as freckles, liver spots, age spots, Melasma, sunspots, technically known as solar lentigenes, dark circles under the eyes, and many more, also commonly known as pregnancy mask.

Causes of Hyper Pigmentation:

1. Acne: The cured pits lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

2. Sun Exposure: With prolonged exposure to sunlight, the skin suffers from hyperpigmentation, causing spots or freckles.

3. Genetics: Others suffer from hereditary hyperpigmentation.

4. Hormonal Changes: This is the major cause of Melasma in that it is caused by the change in hormones associated with pregnancy and results in those dark spots that most pregnant women get on their faces popularly known as the "pregnancy mask."

5. Bad Skin Treatments: Hyper-pigmentation can be caused by bad or faulty cosmetic treatments.

6. Inflammation: The inflammation of the skin causes melanin production.

Types of Hyper-Pigmentation:

- Melasma: Frequent with changes in hormone, but may be pregnancy related.

- Solar Lentigenes: Age or sunspot is the popular term; this results from the sun.

- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): That pesky dark spot after some type of inflammation that result due to conditions like acne or injuries.

Treatments:

1. Topical Treatments:

 Hydroquinone: Skin lightener that suppresses melanin synthesis but should be applied with precaution.

Azelaic Acid & Kojic Acid: It is traditionally used in India for Melasma.

Retinoids and Vitamin C: These are added to skin lightening formulation to prevent melanin synthesis.

2. Sun Protection:

Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 50 or greater, protective clothing to prevent melanin buildup and darkening of the skin.

3. Chemical Peels:

- Glycolic or lactic acid peels peel off the outer layers of the skin, hence lightening the pigment .
- TCA or phenol peel, deep chemical peel, to consider for the large pigmentation.

4.  Laser Treatments:

- Q-switched lasers are mostly only available to destroy melanin-producing cells.

- IPL Photofacial: Though intense pulsed light treatment can reduce the hyperpigmentation, it needs to be used with considerable caution.

5. Microdermabrasion:

This is the process by which dead cells are removed from the skin for its use in lightening the hyperpigmentation.

6. Cosmetic Camouflage:

Certain cosmetics have been made specifically to mask dark spots, thereby making the patients who have them at least aesthetically appear to be fine temporarily.

Home Remedies:

Potato: Bleaching property and can be used.
Aloe Vera: Place it on the spot to lighten out the spots. Apply it using rose water.

Clinical treatments often have to be used in more severe cases of hyper-pigmentation, and where treatment such as Melasma is more demanding in terms of constant therapies.