Pigmentation - Know Forms Of It!

Pigmentation or hyperpigmentation is a skin condition that affects 80% of women in their lifetime. It is caused when patches of the skin turn dark. It is a relatively simple condition that occurs when there is excess melanin in the skin. There are different types of pigmentation, and one kind of treatment may not be effective on the others. Let us take a look at it in depth and understand the nature of pigmentation.

What is pigmentation?
Pigmentation is something that affects almost everyone irrespective of the race or the skin types. The trouble occurs when there is an excess of melanin deposits, which may happen due to various reasons. The different types of pigmentation can be freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, solar lentigines, and melasma.

1. Freckles: These are the most common types of pigmentation. Also known as Ephelides, these mostly affect people with fairer skin. These happen due to repeated exposure to the sun. Naturally, freckles appear very less during winter months. In rare cases, heredity also can be a reason for freckles.
2. Hyperpigmentation: This is the skin's natural way of response when it is prone to injury or rashes. Acne, burns, and clinical treatments such as chemical peels and dermabrasion can lead to hyperpigmentation. They disappear over a period of time. However, there are chances that it might reoccur.
3. Solar lentigines: They are also known as liver spots or sunspots and as the name suggests, they occur due to exposure to the UV rays of the sun. They can occur anywhere in the human body. It depends on how much of the skin is exposed and how much melanin content is exposed to the sun. These are the most critical types of pigmentation, and they must be monitored. In rare cases, they can lead to skin cancer.
4. Melasma: This type of pigmentation is common among women and is usually caused as a result of hormonal imbalance. It can appear as a large brown patch on the skin and can blend into the skin around the borders. Usually, the symptoms increase during pregnancy and with the usage of certain stress medications.

Treatment plan
As stated, different types of treatments methods are available for treating the various types of pigmentation. These can range from topical creams to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT). Laser treatments are done in some cases to take care of the skin apprehensions. The experience of the dermatologist comes into effect when treating and finalizing the appropriate procedures. The treatments not only take care of the skin condition but are also very helpful in improving the overall tone of the skin. These procedures are undergone as a series of sessions, and the dermatologist will advise according to the skin condition.

Most of the pigmentation conditions can be countered with an effective sunscreen product. They have undergone many trials and are extremely safe. It all gets down to the experience and the professionalism of the dermatologist once again for getting the correct treatment plan. With just minimum care, the pigmentation factor can be kept under check.