How to treat Dark Spots | Melasma| Hyperpigmentation on the Skin

“Uneven skin tone is mainly caused by sun exposure, pregnancy, hormonal imbalance, or aging, which is not a medical condition, but women sought the treatments for cosmetic reasons, and the recommended procedures can be laser, microdermabrasion, PRP, or topical solutions!”

·       Do you know dark spots/ melasma most commonly occur in people with dark skin tones?

·       Do you know topical solutions containing retinol or retinoid-based products can cause skin dryness or make the skin more sensitive?

·       Did you know conventional skin-lightening products that claim to remove dark spots can have minimal effects, but the risks involved are high?

·       Did you know that in some cases, a new dark spot could indicate cancer (melanoma)?

Dark spots, or melasma, also called hyperpigmentation, is not a medical condition but requires treatment for cosmetic reasons. Therefore, a variety of cosmetic treatment options are available to combat the effects, improve the skin tone and texture, and significantly remove the dark spots with minimal downtime or no side effects.

Dr. Karishma Kagodu (MS, MCh), a board-certified celebrity surgeon and Managing Director of Kaesthetics, Indiranagar, Bangalore, noted that people must keep in mind that previously available over-the-counter medications, such as hydroquinone-based products (creams or serums) are off label, as FDA (the food and drug administration) changed the status of hydroquinone in 2021. It is now only available as a prescription. Thus, choosing or opting for conventional products based on ads or social media promotion should be discouraged until a board-certified dermatologist approves the prescription based on one’s problem status and desired treatment goals.

The Status of Dark Spots on The Skin:

The color of dark spots may vary depending on a person’s skin tone, but hyperpigmentation is more common in people with dark skin. Depending on the cause, the color may range from light dark brown patches to deep dark spots or gray-brown. The size of dark spots may also vary and can develop on any part of the body.

Moreover, the most common body areas that are prone to developing hyperpigmentation due to frequent sun exposure include:

·       Back of the hands

·       Face, particularly the forehead, upper lip, and chin

·       Back

·       Shoulders

The Cause of Hyperpigmentation may include the following:

·       Sun damage: The areas of the body most affected by sun exposure include the face, hands, back, and neck. As a result, dark brown or light brown spots, called sunspots, may appear on the affected skin.

·       Hormonal changes: Small patches of skin discoloration, such as melasma or chloasma, are also caused by hormonal imbalance and are more common in pregnant women and females, typically triggered during the reproductive years.

·       Medication side effects: Certain medications can increase skin pigmentation, leading to dark spots. Medications that can cause dark spots include anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapy drugs, antimalarials, and anticonvulsants.

·       Wound healing: Dark spots can develop because of wound healing and the common cause for a wound development may include insect bite, burn, or cut heals. These may fade over time but require treatment in specific cases.

·       Diabetes: Diabetes is also at play for dark spots, which may vary in size, location, and color. Therefore, the pigmentation may occur in the form of brown or red patches or raised bumps that can be yellow, red, or brown. Moreover, itchy, or tender bumps may also appear due to Eruptive xanthomatosis, and the most prone areas where such bumps may occur are the back of the hands, the buttocks, legs, feet, and arms.

·       Skin cancer: Sometimes, dark spots can also indicate the cancer. However, some symptoms that could indicate melanoma include asymmetry, blurry or notched borders, irregular coloring, a spot larger than one-quarter of an inch across, and a spot that changes in color or size.

How To Get Rid of Dark Spots: The available cosmetic treatment options at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics:

Dark spots on the skin are not a medical condition, but people may want to remove them for cosmetic reasons. Board-certified cosmetologists or dermatologists may recommend one of the following treatments to address the pigmentation concern. However, the best treatment option is wholly based on the extent of pigmentation, the area of the body that gets affected, the size of the spot, and, most importantly, the cause of the spot concern.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion treatment aims to accelerate new collagen production and may help remove dark spots. During the procedure, a board-certified dermatologist uses a special device with an abrasive surface to eliminate the top layer of the skin.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a noninvasive solution to remove dark spots. It effectively removes the top layer of skin, resulting in new skin growth and diminished dark spots. To achieve blemish-free skin, the recommended number of peeling sessions should be followed.

The following are the most common ingredient options for a chemical peel:

·       Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)

·       Azelaic acid

·       Beta hydroxy acid (BHA)

·       Glycolic acid

·       Lactic acid

·       Salicylic acid

·       Laser Treatments

Concentrated laser light is used to remove the pigmented skin layer by layer so that affected skin areas are burned off. Lasers that do not generate too much heat are key to treating the condition.

Platelet-rich plasma/ PRP

PRP injection uses your blood plasma protein to accelerate collagen production, leading to new skin growth and treating the spots/ marks by making them less noticeable and finally fading completely. Patient blood is drawn using injection and sent into the concentration process, making them more efficient with enriched growth factor, i.e., more platelet-rich plasma, meaning new skin cell generation and stimulating tissue regeneration or healing in the treated area. PRP helps remove dark spots and offers fresh, vibrant, and youthful-looking skin without the risks of side effects.

Prescription Skin-lightening Cream

Prescription skin-lightening creams may contain topical steroids or retinoid-based products. These products work by bleaching the skin, promoting collagen, and helping lighten the dark spots. The prescription medications only lighten the spots but do not cause complete removal. Moreover, side effects can occur if a patient has too sensitive skin. Thus, using over-the-counter products is strictly prohibited, requiring expert recommendations for a specific option. The main skin-lightening agents in the topical solution may include hydroquinone, retinol, or retinoids. These prescription medications typically take several months to fade the appearance of dark spots.

Call us at 9108969006/ 7624809006 and schedule your one-on-one consultation today to know more about dark spot removal in Bangalore at a budget-cost option, but with quality results.