Pigment Parallels- Deeper Than You Think

Pigment is a word that gets tossed around in dermatology and aesthetics. What is pigment? What causes it? How do we reverse pigment spots on our skin, and prevent it?

This is something we are going to dive deeper into, and offer solutions to people who are dealing with uneven tone.

Pigment is caused by cell Melanocytes that produces natural uneven tone in the skin. That production causes the skin to show Melanin. Melanin levels are also what cause eye color, and hair color. For instance, when you get laser hair removal, the light on the laser captures melanin in the follicle. Therefore killing the darkness in the hair root and causing it to fall out. There can be a cause of why melanin may be showing up on the skin, and it has to do with a variety of factors.

The number one reason for uneven tone is sun exposure. Most people know when they are in the sun, your skin gets darker. UV rays specifically damage the collagen and protein make up in your skin. This causes the Melanocyte to disrupt and can produce hyperpigmentation.

Other causes of skin darkening can be from hormonal changes, such as Melasma. This happens mostly in women who have gone through hormonal changes during pregnancy, if a type of contraception has changed or either of those combined with over sun exposure. It can be a more stubborn pigment but can be reversed.

It is also noticed after a wound heals, acne clears up or other openings in the skin have closed, there is darkening of the scar. That is called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is caused by the overactive Melanin after trauma, trying to produce while it’s healing, and darkening can be caused with the thinner skin around the wound or scar as well.

These are just a handful but most common causes of hyperpigmentation. What is offered to fix it?

IPL Treatments (InMode Lumecca)

IPL stands for impulse light therapy and can be used to reverse darkening of the skin. The impulse light grabs the dark melanin in the skin and lightens and evens the skin tone after a series of treatments done. These need to be done in the Fall/Winter time when the skin is not exposed to the sun. The skin going forward has to be protected from future sun damage, otherwise darkening may be caused again.

Topical Treatment (ZO Brightening, Blending, Pigment Control) (Skinbetter Tone, Alpharet)

Typically most hyperpigmentation can reduced with use of hydroquinone, skin brighteners and some retinols. These all lighten the skin and blend tone to appear more even and bright. These should only administered by a professional, and only with great protection of the skin and minimal sun exposure.

So these are some options how to reverse it, how do you prevent it? You guessed it, sunscreen! Keeping your skin protected is the number one way to prevent future damage.

Take these next couple Fall and Winter months to make a plan for your skin, and brighten up your beautiful face.