Hyper pigmentation on the face & skin treatment types vary depending on the symptoms, signs and causes. There are a few types of hyper pigmentation on our face and skin that we need to define prior to using any pigmentation removal products or opting for any treatments.
Liver Spots (Age Spots) on Face
Liver spots, also known as Age Spots, or Lentigines, are brown spots on the skin and face due to aging. While they often appear on areas that exposed to the sun, it is our damaged skin cells over time, rather than sun exposure, that causes liver or age spots. Our protective skin barrier weakens as we age, and so does the ability of our skin cells to repair and renew themselves. There is also loss in collagen and elastin in the dermis layer of the skin over time, causing our skin to lose its resilience and eventually thin out, allowing oxidative stress in the skin to worsen.
As our skin cells gets exposed to the ultra-violet radiation from the sun, as well as the free radicals from the environment and those within the body, the skin gets vulnerable and age spots begin to develop as a result. Hormonal disorders may also affect our skin appearance as we advance with age. Our pituitary glands may overproduce follicular hormones (melanocyte-stimulating hormones) that are responsible for the overgrowth and production of melanin in some of the skin cells, giving rise to brown patches on the skin.
Melasma (dark patches on face)
Melasma are dark patches or flat darker discolouration on the face caused by hormonal imbalances and genetics. Melasma can also appear as brown spots on the skin but they are not to be confused with freckles because melasma is caused by hormonal and inherent changes in our body, and not directly by sun exposure.
Melasma from Hormonal Imbalance & Vitamin Deficiencies
Women who are on oral contraceptives or undergoing hormonal therapies are prone to developing melasma, because the medication and treatments tend to cause the estrogen and progesterone levels to rise which increases melanin dispersion in the skin. During pregnancy or menopause, these hormones can also fluctuate because of certain vitamin deficiencies. For example, some studies have found that Vitamin C, D, B6 and B12 deficiency can result in the lack of progesterone and estrogen in the body and increases melanin pigmentation.
Vitamin C plays an essential role in collagen synthesis, which helps to maintain an even skin texture and tone. Vitamin D is produced in response to sunlight to help with better absorption of nutrients in support of our overall skin health. Vitamins B6 and B12 aid in the skin’s growth and regenerative functions on a cellular basis, which help to protect it from internal and external aggressors. These are the free radicals generated from the harmful toxins, radiation, stress and even processed foods we are exposed to.
Without these vitamins helping the skin to nourish, renew and protect itself, it is unable to prevent the over production of pigment by the functions of cellular melanocytes. This causes the uneven distribution of the dark brown patches and black spots formed on the face and skin.
Melasma from DNA & Genetics
Melasma on the face or skin has also to do with your hereditary DNA and genetic factors. Darker, discoloured patches on the face and skin of your limbs and body can develop just base on who you inherit the genes from. Depending on how the genetic variants are being distributed in your family, you could inherit the absence or intensity of skin pigments as a carrier of their melanin traits.
Sunspots vs Freckles on Face & Skin
Sunspots and freckles on the face and skin are both caused by over exposure to UV rays from the sun. However they vary in terms of appearance and come with different implications. Sun spots are also called solar lentigines, and can develop on the face and skin of your neck and arms as well.
But unlike freckles, sun spots can grow in clusters to expand brown spots to bigger, dark brown patches on the skin from long-term sun exposure. This is because melanin can spread to surrounding skin cells when they become overactive from repeated solar UV radiation. Prolonged sun exposure, although not directly a causal factor, on damaged skin can lead to increased risks of developing skin cancer.
Freckles on Face, Shoulders & Arms
Freckles are smaller light brown, red or black spots on the face, and can also appear as smaller tan marks on the shoulders and arms. Freckles are known as Ephelides in aetiology, and are caused by sun exposure and genetics.
Melanin accumulates in the epidermis layer of the skin cells called keratinocytes, as a result of hyperactivity of the melanocyte cells from the epidermal base layer of the skin. This causes the brown pigment to migrate to the surface, creating flat brown spots on the skin. When the skin is subjected to long term sun exposure, the skin reacts by producing freckles to protect it by absorbing or reflecting ultra-violet light. Freckles are usually harmless and can fade or even disappear on their own with age or depending on environmental factors.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation refers to the brown, dark discoloured patches formed upon skin darkening in its post-injury state. It is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) because the skin triggers excess melanin to protect its damaged tissues as an immune response to an injury or infection.
As such, skin disorders like acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc, can also cause this type of hyperpigmentation. Skin lesions cause damage to the tissues around the affected area and develop into dark spots and marks after the wounds are healed. Darker skin toned individuals are more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation due to the higher amount of melanin.
Hyper Pigmentation Removal Treatments
Hyper pigmentation removal treatments range from topical creams, chemical peels to laser therapy. The treatment methods and options recommended depends on the cause and severity of the individual’s melanin pigmentation.
Laser Treatment for Hyper Pigmentation
Laser treatments for pigmentation are non-invasive procedures involving treating targeted affected areas with laser light beams on the skin. They can be non-invasive or minimally invasive depending on whether they are non-ablative or ablative laser technologies. Non-ablasive laser treatments do not remove the surface skin cells while abrasive laser treatments do. The latter is more effective for severe pigmentation symptoms such as melasma as it requires skin resurfacing to treat the underlying dermis. Non-ablasive laser procedures such as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) are photofacial methods meant to rejuvenate the skin by using heat and light to stimulate cell regeneration and collagen growth, at the same time lighten dark patches. Non-ablasive laser techniques are suitable for removing minor brown age spots.
Dermabrasion for Hyperpigmentation
Dermabrasion is another minimally invasive procedure for hyperpigmentation removal. But this must be proceeded with caution because aesthetic interventions like dermabrasion can sometimes cause irritations. Dermabrasion methods involve abrasive tools and procedures to scrape and sand off surface skin layers to improve pigmentation on the face and skin texture. These include fine exfoliation devices, fine crystal sprays and micro-needling.
Skin disorders like psoriasis, rosacea and eczema or those prone to infections are not recommended for ablasive laser treatment or dermabrasion procedures. Such treatments can worsen sensitive skin conditions because they often leave the skin red and swollen before the chance to heal. Patients who are on certain medications containing retinoids (eg, Accutane) also tend to have more sensitive skin and are not recommended for such treatments. Pregnant ladies are also advised to avoid laser facial treatment for pigmentation removal due to potential fetal risks.
Dark Spot Removal Creams, Correctors & Removers
Dark spot removal creams, correctors and removers are topical treatments that help to lighten dark spots and patches, and prevent the re-occurrence of melanin overactivity. Topical dark spot treatments are relatively effective for age spots and sun spots, especially if they have just developed. Brightening night creams help in the cellular repair of the dark patches on the skin overnight while anti-pigment day creams and SPF products prevent the UVA and UVB rays from triggering further hyperpigmentation on the skin.
Dark spot correctors, or age spot removers are concentrated gels that come with small applicators to target at removing smaller brown spots. Pigmentation removal or dark spot correcting ingredients include vitamins, acids and natural and synthetic compounds for their spot removal potency. For example, Thiamidol, a compound that exists in the Eucerin anti-pigmentation products below, inhibits the skin enzyme Tyrosinase responsible for increasing melanin and helps to improve hyperpigmentation.
Natural concentrated ginseng and acid blends used in the Sulwhasoo Ginseng Brightening Spot Ampoule target at reducing the sizes and the number of dark spots and patches on the skin. Particularly, Tranexamic acid is used to reduce dark spots, skin discolouration and even acne scars. Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (EAE), a C derivative, is more stable than pure Vitamin C, and known to treat brown dark spots without losing its potency with longer-lasting benefits.
The skin is best to be gently exfoliated before using age spot removing correctors and creams to enhance their efficacies. You may wish to include an exfoliating essence or an activating solution like the ones I’ve reviewed before.
Lancome Clarifique Dual Essence Review
My Cystic Hormonal Acne Treatment with Kiehl’s!
Disclaimer: The information contained in these topics is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical/ dermatological advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare/ skincare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Talk with your healthcare/ skincare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Nothing contained herein is intended to be used for dermatological/ medical diagnosis or treatment.