To better understand what causes hyper pigmentation it helps to know what causes pigment in the first place. First, the meaning of hyper is more and pigmentation refers to color. Melanocytes are melanin-producing cells that give skin its pigment. People with darker skin have more melanin than people with lighter skin, and someone with albinism have little, if any, melanin. Clusters of melanin cause freckles and moles. The lack of color in the skin is known as hypo pigmentation.
What Causes Skin Pigmentation
There are various causes of hyper pigmentation: pregnancy, acne, too much sun, oral contraception, your genes, skin rashes or irritation to name a few. There are various treatment routes available depending on the depth of the pigmentation in your skin, whether it is more superficial (brown spots after acne) or deeper (melasma).
How to Treat Skin Pigmentation
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne can sometimes be treated with just the proper at-home skin care routine including Cosmedix Serum 16 or Retin-A. Professional treatments such as a Brightening Peel and/or Microdermabrasion will help to further your results. Although those treatments and products can occasionally help sun spots, more commonly they require a little more attention. Adding Laser Genesis or IPL to your home skin care routine are a great option to look into. Melasma is best treated with topical products such as Triple Lightening Cream and Affirm as well as light peels and Microdermabrasion.
If your skin has pigmentation from acne scars look at Fractional Laser Treatment. If intrusive sun damage, wrinkles and uneven skin tones from many years of sunbathing are your problem then a Fractional CO2 Laser procedure may be the answer. This treatment is invasive, has downtime and is not safe for every skin type but the results can be dramatic with 1 treatment.
If you have any questions about which treatment protocol would be best for your skin pigment condition it is best to have a consultation with a nurse and/or skin care professional. Visit us at The Laser Image Company for your complimentary consultation.
