Hyperpigmentation is a somewhat common condition where parts of your skin become darker due to elevated melanin levels. Usually hyperpigmentation is harmless, though at times it can be a sign of other serious problems. While it may be harmless, many people don’t like seeing the dark marks. If you want to treat hyperpigmentation, then here are the most common options available to you.
Cell Therapy
Cell therapy is a relatively new treatment that has been very effective in treating various skin conditions like hyperpigmentation. This treatment is so effective because it uses your own skin cells in the solution. A physician will give you a cell therapy kit so that you can harvest some of your own healthy skin cells. The physician will then prepare a solution using your cells that will heal the areas affected by hyperpigmentation.
You apply the solution to the affected area. It will then absorb and use the harvested skin cells to begin repairing the area until it has a consistent look to it again. This method tends to create the most consistent results, and it really isn’t that expensive.
Bleaching Creams
Bleaching creams come in both over-the-counter and prescribed versions. Over-the-counter versions are cheaper and weaker, but they are typically quite effective against hyperpigmentation. This cream has a bleaching agent that will significantly lighten the area until it looks normal again.
There is a chance that you might accidentally overdo this treatment, which will cause the area to be lighter than the rest of your skin. You may also experience redness and itching as a side effect. Regardless, this is still an effective treatment for hyperpigmentation.
Chemical Peels
Chemicals peels also come in over-the-counter and doctor-administered versions, but you should pass up over-the-counter ones. There is a high chance that you will accidentally use too much, and a doctor will have the experience you need to get good results.
Chemical peeling is when chemicals are used to remove a layer of your skin. The skin affected by hyperpigmentation will slowly be removed until the unaffected skin emerges. There is often a stinging sensation for a few days following the procedure, but this is safe and it produces lasting results.
Microdermabrasion
This is a cosmetic procedure that isn’t as serious as surgery or chemical peels, and it has fewer side effects. The affected area will be blasted with a combination of abrasives that generally includes vitamin C crystals and aluminum oxide. Much like a chemical peel, this is used to remove the top layer of the skin until the hyperpigmentation is gone.
The only bad thing about this procedure is that it only works on minor cases of hyperpigmentation because only so much skin can be removed at once. You may require a stronger procedure, or you might need to go through several microdermabrasion sessions.
Exfoliation
A trip to the spa may be exactly what you need to correct your hyperpigmentation. Exfoliation is one of the best ways to cure this condition if you have a very minor case. While you may need to exfoliate a few times before the dark patch is gone, this is typically the least expensive method, and you can do it at home without any problems.
There are a lot of exfoliating creams and products you can pick up from the store. Just remember: this is only for very minor cases of hyperpigmentation. Moderate to severe cases will not be affected by simple exfoliation.
Laser Treatments
There are various laser treatments available that can treat hyperpigmentation. Each one has its own pros and cons, but they all share a quick recovery time because only a small amount of skin is affected by the laser. You will typically experience only a slight amount of pain, and any side effects like redness or irritation should disappear within a day or two.
Fractional laser treatment is the best for small areas. This laser is made to specifically target tiny areas of the skin that are affected by hyperpigmentation. This causes the least amount of skin trauma, and it is the most accurate procedure. However, it often costs more and it isn’t useful for large patches of hyperpigmentation.
There are two Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser treatments that are used to cure two distinctly different conditions. The treatment itself differs in laser heat and intensity. One version of the IPL treatment corrects pigmentation issues like birthmarks, and it can correct vein disorders. The other IPL treatment corrects sun damage and wrinkles. A doctor will commonly combine the two treatments to correct your hyperpigmentation.
The last type of laser treatment for hyperpigmentation is called laser skin resurfacing. This is the most powerful of the three, and it affects the largest area. The laser is used to remove the outermost layer of skin like a chemical peel. This laser tends to have the most side effects and pain, but it also is the most useful treatment against a severe case of hyperpigmentation.
Medication
Many people who experience this condition just experience it once. Once you use one of the above treatment options, the dark spots will disappear and you won’t experience it again. However, there are cases where the dark spots will return due to hormonal issues or other problems.
In this case, the best thing you can do is take medication. Medication will treat the root problem rather than the symptom. Most of these medications correct your hormones since hormonal imbalances are the most typical cause of this condition, but a physician will be able to assess the cause and the best medication for your unique situation.
Conclusion
Hyperpigmentation is a harmless condition that causes dark spots to appear on your skin. Sometimes the spots appear due to age or sun exposure, or they might occur for hormonal issues and illnesses. Regardless of the cause or severity, there are a number of treatment options available to you. You don’t have to live with the dark spots forever. Try one or more of the above treatment options, and your skin should look smooth and consistent again in no time.