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What is Pigmentation and Skin Pigmentation?

Pigmentation refers to the coloring of the skin. Skin pigmentation refers to the color of the skin as a result of melanin.

Pigmentation: The Best Treatment For Skin Pigmentation
Pigmentation is a skin condition which can make skin darker. Shutterstcok Images

Pigmentation can also be a negative occurrence. Melanin is responsible for our skin color.

At times, mainly due to exposure to the sun, a lot of melanin is produced in the skin. This leads to a darkening of the skin, usually around a particular region like the face, arms, and shoulders.

Other factors that may lead to an overproduction of melanin include hormones. Expecting women have reported seeing dark blotches or spots on their neck and face.

Pigmentation is closely related to hyperpigmentation, which is simply an unusual increase in melanin production.

With hyperpigmentation, the spots and blemishes become darker and turn to grayish-black or tan.

Skin Pigmentation Causes and Symptoms

The major cause of pigmentation is prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun.

When the skin is exposed to the sun, its natural response is to produce more melanin, to protect the body from the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays from the sun.

This is the idea behind tanning. However, the skin spreads the melanin unevenly on the skin, thus resulting in skin pigmentation or discoloration in some areas.

As mentioned above, hormones may also play a role in skin pigmentation. This is especially so in pregnant women who experience a wide range of hormonal changes.

Symptoms of skin pigmentation are quite easy to spot. You will notice discolored spots in areas such as the face, chest, arms, upper back, and shoulders; basically, any area that is exposed to the sun for long periods.

Pigmentation starts with brown or tan patches and spots on the skin. With time, these spots may become larger and darker.

Types of Skin Pigmentation

Pigmentation can occur in different forms, as outlined below.

  • Melasma – This is pigmentation that usually occurs on the face of both men and women but mostly in women. It results in brown patches on both sides of the face especially on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip.
  • Chloasma – This condition also goes by the name ‘mask of pregnancy’. It occurs in pregnant women. Sun exposure may worsen the condition.
  • Solar Lentigines or Sun Damage – This are spots that occur on the skin due to damage resulting from the sun. The spots are usually referred to a sliver spots or age spots[1]. They occur on the face, arms, shoulders, chest and upper back.
  • Freckles or Ephelides – Freckles may be caused by ultra violet rays or they may be inherited from a family member.
  • Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) – Occurs after an injury to the skin. It can also occur after a traumatic skin treatment or skin lesions. Improper use of skin products may also cause it [2].

What Happens Due to Pigmentation?

Pigmentation has several effects on the body.

One, it causes discoloration on the form of spots and patches. This is considered unpleasant and unappealing.

Secondly, pigmentation may signal a more serious skin condition that needs to be dealt with.

Pigmentation Treatment

Treatment for Skin Pigmentation

Medical treatments are available to deal with pigmentation. Sutterstock Images

Luckily, pigmentation can be treated. Different forms of treatment are used for different forms of pigmentation.

  • For mild pigmentation, you should first try simple homemade remedies. Substances such as lemon are good at reducing pigmentation. Other simple harmless products you can use include milk, chamomile, and honey. Look for ways on how to mix them in the right proportions.
  • More serious pigmentation may require the use of commercial products, such as creams and lotions. In most cases, the best skin brightening serum is used to eliminate pigmentation and even out skin tone. However, you should be cautious about the creams you use, as some may contain dangerous ingredients that can cause harmful side effects.
  • The last and most serious treatment options are to undergo a certain medical procedure. Several medical procedures can be done in an attempt to treat pigmentation. One of them is a chemical peel. This is where the upper skin layer is removed together with the discoloration. Other medical procedures include dermabrasion and laser resurfacing [3].

How to Prevent Pigmentation?

Rather than waiting to undergo procedures and use creams to treat skin pigmentation, it is much easier to avoid it.

Below are the tips on how to prevent pigmentation:

  • The most effective prevention technique is to avoid sun damage. Protect your skin every time you are out in the sun.
  • Be cautious about the skincare products you use. Avoid those that irritate the skin.
  • Hydrate your skin by using moisturizers and drinking a lot of water.
  • Visit a dermatologist regularly for check-up.

Pigmentation Products that Work

Many pigmentation products have been created to deal with various types of skin discoloration.

The following are four that are sure to work:

  • Lumnaskin – It is very effective in getting rid of various pigmentation marks, including sun spots, freckles, and age spots. Apart from removing pigmentation, it also moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Its effectiveness comes from its ingredients which include Gigawhite, Grape seed extract, Bio
  • Blue Plasma – It treats a range of pigmentation problems including sun spots, ephelides and age spots. It works by peeling away layers of dead skin cells, purifying the skin and moisturizes the skin with enriched water.
  • Purely Bright – This product utilizes the best hyaluronic acid serum as an ingredient to enhance skin elasticity. It also contains turmeric extract for skin protection, Kakadu plum extract to diminish the severity of skin pigmentation, citrus Unshiu peel extract to target dark spots, and Vitamin C to improve overall skin protection.
  • Exfoliating Body Lotion – Lactic acid is also one of the main ingredients to help prevent pigmentation by exfoliating the skin and promoting cell turnover. Exfoliating Body Lotion by DRMTLGY can also help to brighten the skin and even out skin tone. Additionally, lactic acid has moisturizing properties that can help to keep the skin hydrated, which can also contribute to a more even complexion.

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3 Sources

We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.

[1] Solar lentigines are strongly related to sun exposure in contrast to ephelides: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15140067
[2] Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921758/
[3] Laser Resurfacing: https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/laser-resurfacing
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Dr. Adonis Maiquez, MD, ABAARM

Dr. Adonis Maiquez is Miami’s leading expert on Healthy Aging and has helped hundreds of patients to feel their best as they age. Usi