What Causes Skin Pigmentation? Can it be Solved?

Posted: March 11th, 2019

The hyperpigmentation of the skin is an unpleasant surprise that develops gradually due to internal or environmental factors. There are many causes of skin hyperpigmentation. Some of the reasons are aging, pregnancy, liver disease, and UV exposure.  The hormones usually cause pregnancy-related hyperpigmentation, which is often temporary. After delivering the baby, the hyperpigmentation will slowly reduce. If the cause of pigmentation is liver damage, proper medical treatment should help to reduce the coloring. For non-medical pigmentation of the skin, there are other steps to take to brighten the skin.  Quick fixes of treating pigmentation involve multiple sessions of laser treatments, which are abrasive and often expensive. However, there are other, less expensive options to fight skin pigmentation. It is important to remember that resolving the issue of pigmentation takes well-planned strategic actions. A critical step in skin brightening process is exfoliation. It causes old, dead skin cells to slough off from the outer layers of the skin revealing new, younger skin cells underneath. The exfoliators come in both physical and chemical forms. Physical exfoliators like scrubs and beads swipe the dead cells and smooth the skin. However, they are unable to penetrate deep layers of the skin due to their size and structure. On the other hand, chemical exfoliants such as glycolic and lactic acids penetrate deep into the skin and exfoliate it from inside out. Professionals suggest that combining physical and chemical exfoliants provide the best results in exfoliation.  Having a good skin care regimen is another essential factor to reduce pigmentation. It is important to consult an esthetician before starting a skincare routine. Most often, topical vitamin C solutions and retinoic acid-based products are prescribed for treating hyperpigmentation.  Always remember to apply sunscreen approximately 15 minutes before exposure to the sun. This step will ensure that you keep the benefits of the treatments without causing new damage to the skin.