Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Skin lightening

When the skin is affected in whichever way an immediate solution needs to be sort out in good time. Failure to do so may lead to serious repercussions to the delicate organ of the body. And because of the environment we leave in today our skin is one of the most vulnerable to several environmental attacks. One of the risks the skin is likely to suffer from is the hyperpigmentation disorders. Before we get into treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders, we need to have a brief understanding of what is the subject matter. Hyperpigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin which is the pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes their natural colour. The overproduction of melanin is likely to be triggered by a variety of factors, but the main ones can be linked to:

• Sun exposure
• Genetic factors
• Age
• Hormonal influences and
• Skin injuries or inflammation

It is therefore very important to understand that hyperpigmentation problems can be improved or eliminated all together by a variety of treatments, including topical lightening agents, laser-intense pulsed light, cryotherapy and chemical peels. Treating hypopigmentation may be a greater challenge. Nonetheless hypopigmentation after a burn or similar skin injury may resolve itself over time as melanocytes migrate to the damaged area. Current treatments for vitiligo are of limited effectiveness. For many people, camouflaging hypo-pigmented areas with sunless tanning products represents a viable alternative.

Treatment

Hyperpigmentation treatments include:

• Topical lightening agents
• Laser-intense pulsed light
• Cryotherapy and
• Chemical peels

None of the methods is optimal for every individual or for every hyperpigmentation problem. We discuss each of the options below.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Topical lightening agents

• These are creams or serums used on the skin to help lighten skin and skin pigmentation problems.
• They can treat many types of skin pigmentation, including melasma, freckles, sunspots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) secondary to lasers, peels and acne.
• Ideally, lightening agents do not completely remove pigmentation, but do significantly lighten it.
• Pigmentation issues such as freckles or sunspots can be completely removed with laser in most cases.
• Topical lightening agents can also be used to prepare the skin for laser treatments. This reduces the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (worsening of pigmentation) after laser treatment, especially for olive to dark skin types.
• The first method of treating skin pigmentation is to prevent its appearance or worsening by daily application of sunscreen as well as sun avoidance. Then a topical lightening agent can be used in conjunction with a good sunscreen.

What are the common topical lightening agents? They may include the following:

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Hydroquinone

This is the most widely and successfully used skin lightening agent. It is resourceful in sorting out conditions like melasma or chloasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and other disorders of pigmentation. Over the counter strengths can go up to 2%, but concentrations higher than this require a prescription from a medical professional. Hydroquinone can be quite irritating to the skin resulting in redness or when it comes in contact with dermatitis when used in higher concentrations.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Kojic acid

This is derived from fungus such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. It can be used in concentrations between 1% and 4% and can be compounded with other agents. Nonetheless it can cause skin irritation and therefore, it is not as effective as hydroquinone, but has no chance of rebound pigmentation or ochronosis.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Paper mulberry

Paper mulberry extract is isolated from the roots of an ornamental tree, Broussonetia papyrifera. A Korean study compared it to kojic acid and hydroquinone, and found that only 0.396% paper mulberry was required to inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase that produces melanin, in comparison to 5.5% hydroquinone and 10% kojic acid. Skin irritation with paper mulberry is less than other lightening agents such as hydroquinone. Paper mulberry bark can be found in Enlighten from Osmosis.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Arbutin

Originating from bearberry, Arbutin helps to lighten the skin by inhibition of the enzymes that help produce melanin. It has less irritation than kojic acid and hydroquinone.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. It inhibits the transfer of the pigment forming cells, the melanosomes, to the surface of the skin.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C also helps interfere with pigment production. An additional benefit of vitamin C is the anti-oxidant effect it has, so it will help prevent skin from environmental damage. Vitamin C also stimulates the production of collagen. Stability of vitamin C is the main problem of most vitamin C products. Cosmedix provides vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid and is highly stable in this form.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Glycolic acid

This is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) which can have a discohesive effect on the epidermis, or top layer of skin, to help desquamate (exfoliate) the pigmented skin cells. In so doing, it facilitates skin turnover and pigment is lost more rapidly. Glycolic acid is found in varying concentrations in rapid skin care products.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Retinoids

These are derived from vitamin A. Retinoids work in a number of ways to help reduce pigmentation. However the actual mechanism of action is not very clear, but it is believed that their depigmenting properties arise from inhibition of the enzymes causing pigmentation, dispersion of pigment granules in the top layer of skin, and also by accelerating skin turnover to help pigmented skin cells shed more quickly. It is also this final property that helps retinoids smooth skin, reduce wrinkles, and active acne. Retinoids can be irritating to the skin and may need to be commenced slowly.

Finally the business of skin care is not just for any one, it needs professionals with the calling to do the job effectively. That is why Dr. Akoury made a decision to create a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This is the passion am talking about. You can now call the most passionate skin care expert today to schedule for an appointment with her for any skin related concerns.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders – Skin lightening