Skin Pigmentation
Excessive skin pigmentation is result of abnormal production and deposition of melanin by the melanocytes. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells. The number of melanocytes present in our skin will determine our skin colour. Production of melanin is dependent on UV or sun exposure, and is a natural protective mechanism of the skin.
Hyperpigmentation, or areas that are darker than the rest of the skin, result from excess melanin production and deposition.
This page will discuss skin pigmentation and its treatment. This discussion will only encompass pigmentation that is in the skin, and will not involve discussion of raised pigmented lesions, moles, or skin cancers.
Hypopigmentation is the loss of skin pigmentation. This will not be discussed here.
If you are one who is experiencing brownish skin discolorations or dark, splotchy patches at your skin, you may be suffering from what is a common complaint known as skin pigmentation.There are many factors that can instigate skin pigmentations to occur.
As a matter of fact, skin pigmentation usually affects those people with darker skin type. These skin pigmentations usually are the result of acne scarring and overly excessive scratching of the skin. So what can you do to correct these unsightly “bad brown spots”?
Essentially, hyperpigmentation can be treated with lightening agents (creams) or lasers. The main difference between the two is that lasers can produce a faster and more effective result in most cases. Lightening agents usually only fade pigmentation rather than remove it completely. There are however, more risks with the use of lasers as opposed to lightening agents, and these risks include worsening of the pigmentation, loss of normal skin pigmentation (hypopigmentation) or scarring of the skin (rare). Also, with laser treatment there is usually a period of recovery post-treatment. The mode of treatment used will depend on patient preference, patient risk tolerance, and the type of pigmentation treated.
Pigmentation can be treated on any part of the body including the; face, neck, hands, back, chest, arms, legs, and shoulders.
The treatments that we offer for hyper-pigmentation are microdermabrasion, glycolic acid peels and specialized facials.
Treatment
Microdermabrasion :
Dr. Shahnaz Dar has expertise in this technology.
Microdermabrasion is a progressive, non-invasive treatment that propels natural mineral crystals onto the surface of the skin for gentle epidermal abrasion that reveals newer, healthier, younger skin.
Microdermabrasion works in two ways:
Correction: The speed of crystal flow causes an abrasive action that gently removes the surface layers of the skin, allowing smoother, fresher skin to emerge.
Stimulation: The vacuum action helps to stimulate microcirculation, increasing the blood supply that provides nutriients needed for skin regeneration. It also stimulates formation of new collagen and elastin to improve skin texture and elasticity.The micro controlled peeling gently removes epidermal cells to treat a vast range of skin imperfections. It is specially effective for skin aging. The powerful peeling action triggers the skin’s repair mechanism to produce healthy epidermal tissue growth, improving skin tone and elasticity.