Articles

As we get older, our skin begins to lose its even skin tone and become covered in small, noticeable dark spots that usually appear on the face and hands. Sometimes, these spots may begin as small and insignificant, but will quickly grow to a much larger and noticeable size.

This darkening in skin tone is referred to as hyperpigmentation and is commonly caused by excessive solar exposure for prolonged periods of time and hormonal fluctuations, such as those present during pregnancy. Whatever the case, hyperpigmentation can have a significant impact on self esteem.

When hyperpigmentation shows up on certain parts of the face, such as the forehead, cheeks and nose, it is referred to as melasma. It is a very common occurrence in all ethnicities, but it is usually seen more in people with darker or olive toned skins. On top of this, women are usually more prone to suffering this form of hyperpigmentation.

Melasma treatments usually include forms of skin whitening. The objective is to get correct skin tone by reducing the amount of melanin in the cells and block its production. Here's a list of some commonly used whitening techniques.

*Laser Treatment

Laser treatment will work on melasma, but it can also lead to more hyperpigmentation and even hypopigmentation problems. The results may also be inconsistent so don't be surprised if you don't get the result you were looking for. In fact, this type of treatment is usually recommended more for darker skinned individuals than those with lighter skin.

*Dermabrasion and Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a great option in the treatment of melasma because the intensity of the peel can be controlled to best suit your needs. The depth of a peel will depend on the chemicals used by the specialist performing the procedure. If at any moment you experience any discomfort, they specialist may use cooling agents or topical anesthetics to treat the problem.

*Bleaching Creams

These products help lighten the skin. They will probably work best over larger areas of the skin as it is difficult to apply them on a tiny spot. Bleaching creams contain a variety of different active ingredients.

One of the most popular bleaching ingredients is known as Hydroquinone. This ingredient can lead to problems such as irritation or permanent discoloration. However, there seem to be safer alternatives.

Azelaic acid, also used in acne medication, is a common alternative to hydroquinone. Kojic acid in conjunction with glycolic acid has also been proven to be a good alternative to hydroquinone.

Post-Treatment Precautions

It is crucial that you protect your skin after using any one of the previous techniques or products. Their main objective is to inhibit the production of melanin, which is precisely the substance that protects your skin from the sun. So, when choosing a bleaching product, make sure that it contains a high SPF or apply a sunscreen after any procedure.