Pigmentation spots occurring on the skin can be the consequence of many factors. They are usually caused by genes or too much sun exposure. Other causes of discolored skin include infections, hormonal imbalance and using some pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or herbs. You can get rid of minor pigmentation spots with whitening creams. Vast discoloration can be removed or brightened by the dermatologist. How?
How to remove pigmentation spots at the dermatologist’s?
The choice of the treatment depends on the size of discoloration which is checked by the dermatologist with the Wood’s lamp. Depending on the result, the doctor decides on the superficial or deep treatment.
Superficial treatment involves applying whitening products. 1.5%-8% hydroquinone is the most commonly used for this purpose. The preparation whitens mostly fresh pigmentation spots. The effects are visible after as many as several months. Another discoloration (around the discolored skin) is a possible side effect.
We can avoid such adverse effects by using retinoids e.g. vitamin-A acid. Retinoids disturb the secretion of melanin. The treatment lasts up to three months.
Azelaic acid is an alternative which is most popular in the case of post-inflammation and post-acne spots. Redness and burning sensation on the skin are the possible side effects.
Deep treatment is introduced in the case of vast pigmentation spots and uses chemical peels, microdermabrasion or cryotherapy. Chemical peels exfoliate the epidermis with glycolic acid, trichloroethanoic acid (TCA) or Kojic acid. The first one – if high 50%-70% concentrations used – reduces the hyperpigmentation of epidermis and stimulates the development of healthy cells.
Microdermabrasion mechanically removes the dead skin cells with abrasive discs. On the other hand, lentigines require the use of cryotherapy. The procedure involves damaging pigmentation spots through freezing or evaporating liquid nitrogen and cutting them out. Cryotherapy is effective yet it may entail scars.
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