“Men and women of all ages face skin discoloration issues,” shares Jennifer Jordan, a physician assistant at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas. Some can cause physical discomfort while others are simply aesthetically unpleasing. Either way, fighting pigmentation is usually on the sufferer’s agenda. Let’s talk about conditions that cause skin discoloration and ways to deal with them.
Why Does Skin Discoloration Occur?
Here are a few reasons why you may face skin discoloration:
- Sunspots (age spots) – these spots appear after lengthy sun exposure. They occur because the body produces excess melanin. You can find them in sun-exposed areas, such as face and hands.
- Skin rashes – chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, and eczema, may cause unwanted pigmentation after the rash has resolved.
- Melasma – the condition manifests itself as dark flat patches on the face. It is known that birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy may cause melasma. Exposure to heat and/or sun aggravates this problem.
- Pigmentation alteration – after skin experiences infections, burns, blisters or other types of trauma, it can either lose or gain pigmentation in the damaged area.
- Acne scars – skin discoloration occurs in the area where acne used to be. It may fade with time.
Pigmentation problems are always unpleasant and often come as a surprise. When you notice hyperpigmentation, it’s important to consult a board-certified dermatologist or a PA to schedule treatment.
“It’s vital to find the reason for the discoloration to make sure it’s not caused by a serious medical condition,” PA Jordan explains.
Which Procedures Can Help Fight Skin Discoloration Issues?
Numerous procedures have been invented to deal with skin discoloration. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
- Microneedling – uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen production
- Chemical peel – removes skin layers to stimulate new skin cell growth
- Photofacial – uses intense pulse light to stimulate skin regeneration
- Laser resurfacing – uses lasers to remove skin layers to reveal younger and healthier skin.
- Broadband light (BBL) – uses broadband light to heat the skin and stimulate rejuvenation.
“It’s important to understand that none of these procedures are quick fixes,” PA Jordan states. Many of them have to be repeated to achieve the desired effect. Even though such treatments can offer tremendous results for some people, others may only experience a slight improvement.
Contact Us
For more information about fighting skin discoloration, please contact us today.