Skin Care: Pigmentation Issues and How To Deal With Them
Reasons for color difference in the skin
The color of our skin is made by color forming cells also known as melanin. Melanin is produced by melanocytes via the melanogenesis process. Melanin is produced within small membrane-bound packages called melanosomes which are transferred to keratinocytes.
Melanosomes cover the upper part of the keratinocyte, offering protection against genetic damage. Keratinocytes regulate melanin production and the replication of melanocytes.
Skin color is different because our melanocytes produce different amounts and kinds of melanin. The differences in skin color are also attributed to differences in distribution and size of melanosomes in our skin.
Pigmentary problems: causes and treatments
Melasma and the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are two pigmentary issues that may arise due to overproduction of melanin.
The causes of melasma include the following: pregnancy, hormone treatment, sun exposure and certain medication. Melasma can be treated with tretinoin cream, sunblock, kojic acid, and hydroquinone.
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation can appear as a result of an inflammatory episode on the skin due to acne, psoriasis, eczema or trauma. The condition can be treated with total sunblock, kojic acid, topical retinoids, glycolic acid, dermamelan, peels, and hydroquinone.
Dermamelan is a professional treatment for hyperpigmentation, and only specialists can carry it out. Professionals such as dermatologists, dentists, and nurses can treat hyperpigmentation successfully, and the treatment involves the usage of two masks over a period of time between three to four months. The mask will be applied for the very first time by the doctor, nurse or dentist and it will be left on the patient’s face for a few hours – it usually involves an action of 12 hours or so. It is crucial that the patient makes sure that the mask is left on the face’s surface for the specified amount of time.
Then, the second mask follows, and this one will be applied only once a week after that. Another tailored regime will be involved in the treatment just like the first time. The system will be customized according to each patient’s particular type of skin and skin problem. The specialist himself will determine these problems, and it’s essential that you follow the instructions and that you report absolutely any kind of adverse reactions to your practitioner. The doctor will know how to adjust the treatment in order to fix the potential issues, and all the necessary adjustments will be made according to your needs. Dermamelan’s action is based on blocking the over production of the melanin-producing enzyme. Therefore reducing the production of melasma and other hyperpigmentation issues will solve your problems.
Vitiligo is another pigmentation problem which involves the complete loss of pigment within the skin. The etiology of this skin condition is due to autoimmunity, and the disease starts suddenly. It usually develops on hands, feet, genitalia, and the face. The disease can also follow a segmental pattern which involves a dermatome and ceases to progress after about a year. The focal form of the disease may be an isolated legion that will progress quite slow. In the case of some patients, vitiligo is a disease that lack symptoms but the patients may, however, complain of a feeling of itchiness.
The treatment of vitiligo involves slow mobility of the melanocytes using phototherapy, and immunosuppressant creams and ointments. Other treatment options include vitamin D derivative creams, PUVA treatment, Elidel cream, steroid creams and more.
In case you experience any of the skin problems discussed above, you can consider consulting a reputable dermatology clinic such as the London Dermatology Centre that can help expertly diagnose and treat the condition.