What Is Involved in the Removal of Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces too much pigment, known as melanin, and can be treated depending on the cause. There are several factors involved in the removal of hyperpigmentation, starting with determining why the skin is producing excess pigmentation in the first place, and then treating the root cause if necessary. Before, during, and after the treatment phase, a person may use sunscreen to prevent additional skin darkening, and the removal process itself may include topical treatments to lighten the affected areas. In some cases, the removal of hyperpigmentation involves laser treatments, a type of cosmetic surgery, to get rid of the outer layer of skin.

This condition can be caused by any number of issues, and diagnosing the root problem is the first step in the removal of hyperpigmentation. In some cases, such as when pregnancy is the cause, the skin will likely return to normal in time. Despite this, certain medications and medical conditions, such as Addison’s disease, may also be the cause, and will require treatment in order to reduce hyperpigmentation. At this stage, a doctor will typically utilize a variety of diagnostic tools, including hormone and thyroid testing, to determine the best course of action.

To prevent the condition from worsening, the regular use of a high SPF sunscreen is common in the removal of hyperpigmentation. This not only protects the skin from further damage, but also helps to prevent irritation when using topical treatments or after laser surgery. Generally, no matter what the cause of the skin condition, sunscreen can be extremely beneficial.

Topical treatments are commonly involved in this removal process. Hydroquinone, a skin bleaching treatment that is not available in all countries, can help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by stopping the skin’s production of pigment. This treatment is often combined with alpha hydroxy acid, which acts as a chemical exfoliant, to improve a person’s results. Retinoids, in both prescription and non-prescription form, can also be used to slough off the outer layer of the skin, revealing new, evenly-pigmented skin underneath. These treatments are usually applied at night a few times a week, and it generally takes two to three months for results to become noticeable; however, this depends on the severity of the condition.

For certain people, laser surgery is a large part of removing hyperpigmentation. This treatment is typically performed in a doctor’s office and it generally takes less than two hours, although more than one treatment is often necessary to get rid of hyperpigmentation entirely. The laser removes the outer layers of the skin, leaving new skin that does not contain excess melanin behind. Typically, this treatment provides more dramatic results than topical options, although the latter may be used before laser surgery. In addition to this, a person may need to take oral medications or apply topical treatments to prepare the skin for surgery starting a few weeks beforehand.