PIGMENTATION
Getting Rid of Skin Pigmentation
Many people around the world are searching for various ways to get rid of the signs of aging that appear on the skin. Non-surgical facelift procedures have become one of the prominent modern methods, especially since many celebrities have stated that they have undergone these procedures and have had a significant impact on their appearance.
Pigmentation is a skin condition characterized by brown or grayish patches that appear on large areas of the face. It occurs due to the melanocytes’ response to some event that exacerbates them. It can result from various factors, including excessive sun exposure, hormonal changes during pregnancy, or even medical reasons.
Areas of Pigmentation
Freckles commonly appear on the cheeks, nose, chin, above the upper lip, and forehead. They can also appear on other areas like the arms, neck, and back, where the skin is exposed to the sun. The response of melanocytes increases, especially during sun exposure, notably in the summer, leading to pigmentation.
Causes of Pigmentation
- Some medications: (hormonal, contraceptives, anti-seizure drugs)
- Genetic predisposition
- Endocrine causes: thyroid gland dysfunction
- Pregnancy: due to hormonal fluctuations
- Soaps: Some scented soaps are believed to cause pigmentation.
- Phototoxic substances in certain cosmetic products
Pigmentation Treatments
Dr. Dima Ahmad discusses various treatment options with the patient to develop an optimal treatment plan. Treating pigmentation takes time, especially for deep-seated pigmentation, and the procedures vary based on the type, depth, and causes of pigmentation.
Question & Answer
Various medications are used to treat pigmentation, helping to reduce it without resorting to invasive skin procedures. These include:
- Azelaic acid
- Cysteamine
- Hydrocortisone (topical corticosteroid)
- Methimazole
- Soybean extract
- Topical alpha hydroxy acid
- Tranexamic acid
- Tretinoin: Topical retinoid
- Chemical peels: This procedure helps remove superficial layers of the skin, especially superficial pigmentation.
- Microneedling: This procedure promotes skin renewal by stimulating the skin.
- Laser and light therapy: Complementary treatments to drug therapy that improve results.
- Platelet-rich plasma: May stimulate skin renewal.
- Avoid sun exposure without sunscreen.
- Stop using any soap or cosmetic products that irritate pigmentation.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats and use sunscreens containing iron oxide.
It is not advisable to undergo any treatments during pregnancy. Instead, preventive measures are recommended, as some medications pose various risks to the fetus, and we do not recommend them in our clinic.