Are those dark spots on your face getting too dark for your liking? Does a pimple on your face even after it has completely healed leaves a mark?

Yes, sometimes some of these marks would fade away with time but there are other spots that might need to be treated to get rid of them completely. Understanding the cause of these dark spots or uneven skin tone might help you understand whether you need treatment or not.

Why Does Pigmentation Happen? Main Reasons

The melanin present in our skin gives us our beautiful skin tone. However, sometimes our skin might overproduce melanin leading to formation of dark spots or uneven skin tone.

The major causes are:

• Sun exposure
• Hormonal changes / Pregnancy
• Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation - Post acne, Post eczema, Post rash, Post tinea
• Skin irritation
• Genetics

In order to treat these dark spots you need to identify their root cause.

Common Types of Pigmentation You Should Know

You might have dark spots or uneven skin tone, however different types of spots might need different treatments

• Melasma: Also called hormonal spots, these are brown-grey spots which appears on your face during pregnancy or due to excess exposure to the sun
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): These dark spots appear on your face as a result of acne,eczema other skin irritation. They tend to stay for a long time even after the rash is gone
• Sunspots: These are flat brown spots, usually appears on the neck and hands due to sun exposure
• Tanning & uneven skin tone: Too much exposure to the sun leads to tan lines on your skin and uneven skin tone

Why Pigmentation Is Common in Ahmedabad and Gujarat

Do you commute daily to your office? Do you have a business in Ahmedabad? If yes, you are most likely exposed to extreme heat on a daily basis. This can cause sun exposure leading to development of more dark spots or even melasma. While exposure to sunlight is a major reason for development of dark spots, there can be other reasons too.

When Should You Start Pigmentation Treatment?

Sometimes dark spots due to Acne might fade on their own. However, if the spots are still there after so long, get yourself checked by a dermatologist. It is always better to safe than sorry.

If you develop new pigmentation after using a certain product which irritated your skin, visit a dermatologist.

Any new dark spot or change in your skin needs to be investigated by a dermatologist before you try to treat it at home. In some cases improper treatment might even make it worse.

Pigmentation Treatment Options

Treatment for pigmentation depends on a lot of factors such as root cause, your skin tone and how deep the spot is.

1. Topical or Injectable Treatments & Creams: There are a number of treatments that can help treat pigmentation and dark spots. These include azelaic acid, retinoids and hydroquinone. However, certain treatment might need dermatologist to prescribe them.
2. Chemical peels: These are an effective treatment for superficial spots on the skin. However, an improper peel can actually aggravate your condition
3. Laser treatments: Laser treatments are not recommended on most cases and might even worsen PIH in some cases
4. Sun protection and other topical treatments: Use of a proper sun protection with high SPF is essential if you want to prevent dark spots from getting worse

Pigmentation FAQs

Can pigmentation be removed completely?

It depends on the type of pigmentation you have. While some spots might get removed completely, other spots might still be visible as dark spots or spots with uneven skin tone

What is the best treatment to remove pigmentation?

It depends on the type of pigmentation you have. Certain types of pigmentation might require topical treatments whereas other type might require chemical peel or laser treatment

How can I remove my pigmentation?

Make sure you wear sunscreen everyday and follow a proper skin care regime. If your spots don’t go away on their own, consult a dermatologist

What treatments are best for pigmentation?

Depending on the type of pigmentation, you might need topical treatment, chemical peel or laser treatment. Consult a dermatologist to help you zero in on the best treatment for you

Final thoughts

Dark spots can be annoying, especially when they don’t seem to go away on their own. However treating all dark spots with the same treatment won’t be beneficial. It is important to understand their root cause and then work on treating them. Not only will it help you treat your spots, it will also prevent them from appearing again.

Looking for a dermatologist to treat your pigmentation in Ahmedabad?

Book an appointment with Dr. Yaksh Oza (MD DVL) for consultation and personalisation of your pigmentation treatment regime.