Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin. Your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin make melanin. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect just patches of skin. Others affect your entire body.
Why am I facing skin pigmentation problems?
Everyone can achieve a flawless complexion too and stick to the basics can help you achieve that. With that said, you may be puzzled as to why despite your efforts in applying sunblock every single day, new pigmentation marks appear and existing ones become darker and bigger in size. The answer is simple – pigmentation does not surface overnight. It is the accumulation of the dark pigment, melanin, in our skin that gradually leads to the appearance of dark facial spots. Melanin production, in turn, is triggered by sun exposure. Thus, to have a clear complexion, you should never underestimate the importance of sun protection; starting early is the best thing you can do for your skin.
If your body makes too much melanin, your skin gets darker. Pregnancy, Addison's disease, and sun exposure all can make your skin darker. If your body makes too little melanin, your skin gets lighter. Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of light skin. Albinism is a genetic condition affecting a person's skin. A person with albinism may have no color, lighter than normal skin color, or patchy missing skin color. Infections, blisters, and burns can also cause lighter skin.
Melanin is the brown pigment that produces the various shades and colors of human skin. Coloration (pigmentation) is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. Without melanin, the skin would be pale white with shades of pink caused by blood flow through the skin. Fair-skinned people produce very little melanin, darker-skinned people produce moderate amounts, and very dark-skinned people produce the most. People with albinism have little or no melanin and thus their skin appears white or pale pink. Usually, melanin is fairly evenly distributed in the skin, but sometimes people have spots or patches of skin with more melanin. Examples of such spots include freckles, age spots (lentigines), and melasma.
Melanin is produced by specialized cells (melanocytes) that are scattered among the other cells in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. After melanin is produced, it spreads into other nearby skin cells.
Pigment disorders
Pigment disorders can be widespread and affect many areas of skin, or they can be localized and affect only certain areas of the skin. The pigmentation changes they cause are called
- Depigmentation
- Hypo pigmentation
- Hyper pigmentation
Freckles
Found in the size of matchstick heads, freckles do not cause a change in skin texture. They are flat circular spots which are usually tan or light brown in color. While freckles are an extremely common type of hyper pigmentation, they are more often seen among people with a lighter skin tone.
Where do they appear?
Unlike other types of hyper pigmentation, freckles may develop randomly on the skin especially on areas that are repeatedly exposed to the sun.
Causes
· Genetics: Freckles usually occur to one when he/she is young; it may even start appearing as early as one reaches two years old. With age, its appearance may become increasingly obvious. Though freckles removal is not necessary since it is not cancerous, freckles can make one look older than he/she is.
· Overexposure to the sun: In a tropical country like Singapore, freckles can easily become a concern if one does not practice adequate sun protection. Long-term exposure to the UV rays from the sun can cause the surfacing of new freckles and the darkening of existing ones. Therefore, the best prevention is to make sure that you are applying an adequate amount of sunblock regularly.
Uneven Skin Tone
Known as a form of skin discoloration, uneven skin tone appears as patches of darkened skin due to the overproduction of melanin by the body.
It can be a result of sun damage, hormonal changes or side effect of the medication. Excessive sun exposure, in particular, is known to be damaging to the skin, promoting the production of melanin in the sun exposed areas. On the other hand, due to hormonal changes, women who are on contraceptive medications or going through menopause tend to be more prone to skin discolorations.
While there is no cause for alarm, uneven skin tone can make one look older, despite the efforts to reverse the signs of aging with over-the-counter anti-aging products.
Computer Radiation Spots
Referring to the dark spots on the face, computer radiation spots may develop from a long period of exposure towards computer or mobile phone radiation. The skin may be damaged by the static electricity and radiation produced by a computer and mobile phones.
Among the different kinds of pigmentation problems, computer radiation spots are the least common type. As of now, more research is needed to elaborate on how our skin structure can be affected by too much radiation.
Age Spots
Usually tan, brown or black in color, age spots are oval in shape and the size varies from freckle size to more than 13mm. It is also known as liver spots and they tend to develop on the face after the age of 40, indicating that the skin has entered its aging period.
Where do they appear?
Age spots on the face are commonly found on the sun-exposed areas, especially on the cheeks and cheekbones.
Causes
· Aging: When skin ages and it is further exposed to environmental damages, melanin is consistently produced to protect the skin. Hence, age spots are very common in adults over the age of 50. Nevertheless, it may develop in younger people too, especially those who spend a lot of time in the sun.
· Overexposure to the sun: On areas of the skin that have been exposed to frequent and prolonged sun exposure, melanin is produced in high concentrations and builds up in these areas, resulting in age spots. Apart from that, frequent trips to tanning salons can also contribute to the development of age spots. The highly sought after sun-kissed look is actually the result of our skin’s natural defense mechanism to protect deeper layers of the skin from harmful UV rays, which are known to accelerate the production of melanin and skin aging.
Melasma / Chloasma
Characterized by a butterfly-shaped mark, melasma (chloasma) is a type of hyper pigmentation which is more prevalent among people with a darker skin tone. When melasma occurs during pregnancy, it is also known as ‘the mask of pregnancy’ or ‘chloasma’. Patchy brown discoloration spreads across certain parts of the face, making the overall skin tone look dull.
Where does it appear?
Melasma on the face typically appears across the upper cheeks. However, other areas such as the forehead, upper lip, and the chin area may be affected as well.
Causes
· Pregnancy: About 50-70% of pregnant women are said to be affected by chloasma. While the exact mechanism by which pregnancy affects the development of melasma has yet to be found, UVA and UVB are known to be capable of stimulating the production of melanin, the color pigment responsible for most pigmentation problems.
· Hormonal changes: Some medication (such as birth control pills) may make the skin more prone to pigmentation after exposure to UV rays. Thus, applying sunblock to protect your skin against these harmful rays may be a good way to prevent the onset of melasma. When choosing sunblocks, it is recommended to go for those containing physical blockers (such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) because of their broader range of protection.
· Genetics: One is at an increased risk of developing melasma when there is a known family history. Thus, to avoid stimulating further production of melanin, sun care is even more important for these individuals. Applying sunblock diligently and avoiding staying outdoors in the noon are some prevention methods that one may want to consider.
Types of Melasma
· Epidermal (surface layer): Tends to be dark brown in color and is characterized by well-defined borders
· Dermal (inner layer of skin): Tends to be light brown or even bluish in color and is characterized by ill-defined borders
· Mixed: This is the most common type and it comes in a combination of bluish, light and dark brown patches.
Is treatment necessary?
· Pigmentation problems, if left untreated, may become darker or bigger over time. As a result, the brownish patches cause one’s skin tone to become dull and uneven, making him/her look tired or even older than the actual age! Thus, treatment for melasma on the face is recommended for those who wish to remain clear, youthful skin.
How to cure / treat / lighten melasma?
· Topical: Hydroquinone (HQ), with a concentration level of 2% – 4%, can be applied once daily and it is recommended to continue this treatment for 3 months – 1 year for best results. However, side effects include skin irritation, skin redness, skin dryness or even stinging,
· Lasers: More than one session is usually needed to get rid of melasma. However, as laser facial procedures usually involve heat being penetrated into the skin, repeated treatments could make your complexion more sensitive to the sun, which in turn makes it more vulnerable to sun damage, one of the main culprits of skin pigmentation.
· Facials: Non-invasive in nature, facial treatment is a milder approach that can lighten melasma while repairing and rejuvenating the skin. The intensity of the treatments can be adjusted accordingly based on the professional judgment of the skin care consultant. Click here to find out more about the benefits of facial treatments in the removal of melasma.
Solar Lentigines (Sun Burn Pigmentation)
Commonly known as sunspots, solar lentigines are usually brown in color and they do not cause a change in skin texture. They are darker and more irregular in appearance as compared to freckles. People with a lighter skin tone are said to be more prone to sunspots. Without treatment, exposure to UV rays for a prolonged period of time may cause more sunspots to develop and existing ones to become darker in color.
Where do they appear?
Areas of the face with higher sun exposure are more likely to develop sunspots. These areas include but are not limited to the cheeks, cheekbones and the nose.
Cause
· Overexposure to the sun: When our faces are exposed to the sun, melanin, a dark pigment found on the skin’s surface, clumps together. Thus, prolonged exposure may accelerate this process, causing the sunspots on our skin to darken or increase in number. Though it is known to be the most common type of various pigmentation problems, prevention of sunspots can be effortless. Especially in Singapore, where it is hot and sunny all year round, it is crucial to apply sunblock regularly and in adequate amount. As a general guide, one should apply the equivalent of a shot glass (two tablespoons) of sunblock to the exposed areas of the face and body to achieve the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) reflected on the packaging of the sunblock.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Developed through inflamed wounds, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is usually tan, brown or black in color. It is a condition in which there is an increased production of color pigment due to an injury or inflammation to the skin.
It is worth noting that the use of unsuitable cosmetic procedures for your skin type (such as chemical peels, laser treatments, IPL or a combination therapy) may aggravate your skin condition instead, leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is one of the most common pigmentation problems that occur in people with a darker skin tone. When a deeper skin layer is involved, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be difficult to treat.
Where does it appear?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs to wounds on the face. These wounds may develop from razor cuts from shaving, burns or even infected pimples from squeezing.
Cause
· Skin inflammation or injury: As the skin tissue heals, chemicals called cytokines that help in the creation of new skin is produced. However, these chemicals can also stimulate the melanocytes, causing more melanin to be produced. When melanin is produced excessively, this results in skin discolouration on the wounded area. In addition, exposure to sunlight can cause the affected areas to become even darker than the surrounding skin.
Types of hyperpigmentation
· Epidermal (surface layer): Tends to be tan, brown, or dark brown in color and it may take months to years to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation without treatment
· Dermis (inner layer of skin): Tends to be bluish-grey in color and may be permanent if it is left untreated
How to get rid of hyperpigmentation?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments available in Singapore include:
· Chemical peels: Peels work by exfoliating the upper most layer of the skin, along with the dark patches, thus speeding up the skin lightening process. Common chemicals used include glycolic acid and salicylic acid. As it is a rather intensive treatment, one may experience skin redness over the next few days. Other side effects include skin irritation, blistering, or even skin discoloration.
· Microdermabrasion: Similar to chemical peels, microdermabrasion treats hyper pigmentation problems by exfoliating the upper most layer of the skin. However, rather than chemicals, fine crystals are used to gently lift the dead skin cells while a suction is used to remove them, hence making this is a gentler alternative. Nevertheless, as with most hyper pigmentation treatments, one may experience skin irritation, skin redness, skin discoloration and/or swelling.else consult with
· Topical: Over the counter creams (such as Vitamin C cream and retinoid) are less intensive treatments which would work better in the removal of epidermal hyper pigmentation. However, as the products are not customized based on individual’s skin needs, one may experience side effects such as increased skin sensitivity and skin dryness. Besides that, as over the counter products carry milder formula, it would take a longer time to visibly lighten the post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation.
· Facial: To lighten hyper pigmentation, facial treatments are typically customized according to the severity of the hyper pigmentation problem, while taking into consideration the individual’s skin type. This greater degree of control over the treatment course reduces the potential side effects of the hyper pigmentation treatment.