What Is Pigmentation And Its Causes
Skin pigmentation is a disorder that causes coloring of the skin. The coloring may be seen in just certain parts of the body or the entire skin. Melanin is the pigment made of skin cells. We get our skin color from melanin. Pigmentation causes a certain area of pigment to darken which in turn changes the color of the skin. Liver spots or age spots is the most common type of hyperpigmentation. This skin disorder doesn’t cause any harm but when it occurs on facial skin it may mar the beauty of your face.
Hyperpigmentation is mostly a cosmetic issue that may have been caused due to an underlying medical treatment or condition. Sun burn also causes skin pigmentation on body parts that are frequently exposed to sun. Chemotherapy drugs and insulin also causes pigmentation. Sometimes, it is seen that changes in hormone during pregnancy causes pigmentation in women. Diseases that affect the endocrine like Addison’s diseases and melasma can also cause pigmentation. Skin irritation caused due to sensitivity and trauma are other causes of pigmentation. There are treatment available to resolve this condition. One may take medication or Resort to several effective home remedies.
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Home Remedies To Treat Pigmentation
Pigmentation can be treated at home effectively. There are several home remedies that are practiced effectively to treat pigmentation. A few of them are listed below:
The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar helps to lighten pigmentation. Take equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl. Apply this mix to the dark patches and leave it for three minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. For better results, repeat twice daily.
Aloin is a natural depigmenting compound that is found in aloe vera. It is a natural and effective way to treat hyperpigmentation. Before bedtime, apply aloe vera gel to the affected parts. Wash it using warm water. Repeat daily for better results.
Rich in antioxidants, red lentils or masoor dal is an effective way to treat pigmentation. Soak lentils overnight and make a smooth paste of it. Apply evenly on the area and keep it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene that protects skin against damage. It is effective when you consume tomato paste mixed with olive oil for 12 weeks.
Allium cepa or red onion extract is commercially used in skin lightening creams. At home, one can use dried red onion skin to lighten the skin effectively. Also, use hyperpigmentation creams that have allium cepa for better results.
Vitamin c is effective to treat hyperpigmentation. It is found that orchid extracts are equally good. Apply orchid extracts for 8 weeks to remove dark patches.
Lactic acid found in milk, sour milk and buttermilk has been found effective in treating skin discoloration. Soak a cotton ball in milk or curd and apply over the affected area. Repeat twice daily to see the results.
Black tea water is good for treating hyperpigmentation. Add fresh black tea leaves in boiling water and keep it for two hours. Strain the tea water, soak a cotton ball and apply to affected areas. Repeat twice, daily for four weeks.
Green tea extract also found to have a depigmenting effect. Green tea extracts can be applied directly to the pigmented area. You can also use green tea bags. Soak green tea bags in hot water for two to five minutes. Let the bag cool and rub it over the dark patches. Repeat twice daily for better results.
Licorice extract can be used to treat pigmentation caused by sun damage and melasma. The active ingredient found in licorice extract can lighten hyperpigmentation. Creams with licorice extract can be purchased and used as directed.
Medical Treatment For Pigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a cosmetic issue and apart from home remedies there are medications available that will give a good result. Consult a good dermatologist to ascertain if it is pigmentation or any other disorder. If home remedies fail you, there are several medications that can help you treat this condition. First and foremost the cause of the condition needs to be analysed. If it is due to a treatment or an allergy caused by a drug or medication, the doctors can suggest stopping the medication or changing the prescription.
There are few medications available for hyperpigmentation. Chemical peel can remove damaged skin cells of the pigmented area. Microdermabrasion can improve the sun damaged area through a minimally invasive procedure. Intense Pulsed Light is a light therapy treatment that is used to minimize freckles, birthmarks, age spots, sun damage and more. Laser skin resurfacing is a skin care procedure that involves using lasers to help improve the appearance and texture. Cryotherapy or cold therapy exposes affected are to extremely cold temperatures for a specific time.
