Facial Pigmentation

Facing The Facts

There are a number of conditions considered to be abnormal pigmentation. These conditions range from a variety of types of birth marks to moles and freckles, to melasma and vitiligo. Treatment for facial pigmentation varies, with some responding to medicated creams and other requiring laser treatment or removal.

The most common causes of facial pigmentation:

• The reaction of skin to any cosmetic or cream you are using.
• Facial pigmentation may be due to melasma. This causes brown patches on the skin and is more common in pregnant women or those taking birth control pills.
• Allergic reaction to antibiotics.
• Skin problems like acne can leave behind unsightly pigmentation marks.
• Age spots are due to overexposure of the skin to the sun.

The best treatment for facial pigmentation involves exfoliating the damaged outer layer of the skin. The type of exfoliation your skin needs depends on the extent to which the facial pigmentation has spread. If it is on the outer layer of the skin, mild exfoliation will effectively treat the condition. Otherwise you may need some strong treatment like laser resurfacing, chemical peels or microdermabrasion.

Types of facial pigmentation and treatments:

• Most birthmarks do not require treatments. Port wine stains, which are birth marks that present as flat pink to purple areas on the face, are treated with laser therapy.
• Hemangiomas is a type of facial pigmentation that often go away by themselves, but if they interfere with functions such as eating or seeing, you may need laser therapy.
• Melasma often responds to prescription medications and some skin care products.
• Vitiligo is a type of facial pigmentation where white patches appear on the skin. It may be treated with the combination of light-sensitive medications and ultraviolet light, dyes or an excimer laser.

For more information on facial pigmentation and how to treat it effectively, please feel free to contact us.