Hyperpigmentation for Face and Neck Treatment

Hyperpigmentation for Face and Neck  Treatment

The darkening of an area of skin due to overproduction of melanin pigment is called Hyperpigmentation. Melanin is a brown pigment responsible for providing color to the skin. Due to the hyperactive condition of melanin, the production of melanocyte cells increases in the body, which darkens the skin. The hyperpigmentation problem is more common in countries in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean region. These are hotter regions and sun rays fall longer than in other parts of the earth. Hyperpigmentation can affect any area of the body. It mainly affects areas overexposed to the sun, which include the face, neck, and hands.

Types and causes of Hyperpigmentation:

There are many reasons for Hyperpigmentation. They may be overexposed to ultraviolet rays of the sun, certain drugs, cosmetic reactions, and emotional stress. Other reasons are:

• Addison’s disease: Some diseases, like Addison’s disease, cause spots, scars, and blemishes on the skin.
• Hemochromatosis: People who suffer from hemochromatosis usually have elevated iron levels in their blood. This disease causes slate-grey or brown-bronze spots on the face, neck, and hands.
• Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): In this disease, dark spots occur on the body as a result of inflammatory eruptions such as acne, eczema, or any cutaneous injury.
• Melasma: This disease occurs due to an imbalance in hormones in the body. Dark spots appear on the face, neck, and forearms.
• Drug reactions: Some medicines, such as anti-retroviral drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, and many others, like chlorpromazine, minocycline, phenytoin, and chloroquine (an anti-malaria drug), cause Hyperpigmentation. However, the dark spots due to drug reactions can be reduced or eliminated when a person stops taking these medicines. Sometimes, it takes years to eradicate the spots after discontinuing medicines.
• Argyria: This disease occurs on UV-exposed areas of skin, especially the forehead, neck, and hands. It causes metallic, slate-grey, or blue-grey pigmentation of the skin.

Prevention Of Hyperpigmentation:

The best way to prevent Hyperpigmentation is to apply a good sunscreen of SPF 15 or SPF 30 before going outside in the sun. This is necessary to keep oneself away from dark spots and blemishes. Everyone who already suffers from Hyperpigmentation should wear sunscreen before going outside to save themselves from exposure to UV rays because any carelessness can result in the appearance of more blemishes. Also, those treating Hyperpigmentation should use sunscreen so that the problem does not persist further, and the treatment must not prove useless.

Treatment: Hyperpigmentation can be treated with laser therapy, bleaching creams, and specific homemade remedies that reduce Hyperpigmentation.

Laser treatment: This is the gift of modern technology. Many laser treatments are available, but none has been established as the standard treatment. However, there are two most commonly followed therapies. They are Q-switched Nd: YAG (1064mm) laser and nonablative fractional resurfacing with triple topical therapy. These treatments require a lot of precautionary measures to save oneself from after-effects. Laser treatment is expensive and does not suit everyone.

Bleaching Creams: Bleaching helps the skin stop producing melanin. The most important ingredients used in making bleaching creams are Azelaic acid, Koljic acid, Hydroquinone, Vitamins C and E, Licorice root, and bearberry. These ingredients are used either alone or in combination to stop the overproduction of melanin pigment in the skin. Hydroquinone does not work well on all types. One must consult a good dermatologist before using bleaching creams.

Chemical peeling: Chemical peeling with glycolic acid or 30 to 50% trichloroacetic acid suits patients with severe melasma unresponsive to topical bleaching creams.

Physical Exfoliation: Physical exfoliation is the shedding of the top layers of the skin’s surface through microdermabrasion. This treatment rids off darkened and damaged cells of the outer layer of the body, revealing new, unblemished, and clear skin beneath. This treatment should not be used by those who have pimples, scars, or blemishes raised above the skin’s surface because there is a risk of tearing. Ingredients used in physical exfoliation are aluminum oxide crystals, crushed seeds, and small beads.

Skin lightening creams: This is a slow process of treating Hyperpigmentation but can not be as harmful as laser treatment. Skin lightening creams slow down melanin production and remove existing melanin from the skin. The ingredients present in these creams are hydroquinone, soy milk, calcium, cucumber, kojic acid, azelaic acid, or arbutin. Creams containing a single or combination of the two above-given ingredients can be bought. Applying these creams on pigmented areas regularly is recommended to get positive results. Sunscreen must also expose regions of the body before going outside in the sun so that spots do not reappear.

Homemade remedies: Many famous homemade remedies can be used to treat Hyperpigmentation. Homemade remedies are considered better because they do not cause any side effects and are free of cost. The ingredients used in remedies can be readily available in the kitchen or at the nearest grocery shop.

Milk and Honey pack: Take about half a cup of milk and add two tablespoons of honey. Mix both well. Apply this mixture to the face, neck, arms, and hands. Massage in circulation for 15 -20 minutes. Allow the mask to dry, and rinse off with cold water. This not only reduces blemishes but also makes the skin fair.

Oatmeal face pack: Take a bag of oatmeal. Grind it into a powder and keep it in a bottle for future use. Now, take three tablespoons of oatmeal powder. Add one tablespoon of milk and one tablespoon of honey. Mix the ingredients well. Now apply this pack to the neck and face. Keep it for 15-20 minutes so that it can dry. Rinse it off with cold water. This face pack helps attain beautiful, flawless, and blemish-free skin.

Almond and milk face pack: Soak about 4-5 almonds in water overnight. Grind them in the morning to make a paste. Add milk to the paste. Apply this pack to the face, neck, and other affected areas, and leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes. Wash it off with cold water. Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E and are highly useful in curing any kind of skin disorder. Taking 2-3 almonds daily helps to get rid of any sort of pigmentation.

Vegetable juice: Vegetable juices are very helpful in improving complexion. To lighten dark patches, tomato, cucumber, and potato juices can be applied regularly to the face, neck, and other hyperpigmented areas. Cucumbers and potatoes can also be rubbed on the affected areas instead of using their juices.

Orange peel face pack: Dry the orange peels. Blend it into a powder and keep it in a bottle for future use. Take 2-3 tablespoons of orange peel powder. Now, add the required amounts of raw milk to make it a paste. Add one teaspoon of honey. Apply the pack on your face and neck for 15 minutes and allow it to dry. Wash it off with cold water. Orange peel powder is the best remedy to reduce Hyperpigmentation and other skin disorders. This face pack must be used regularly to control Hyperpigmentation. This will also make your skin soft and clean.

Conclusion: Hyperpigmentation gives the skin an unpleasant look, makes one lose self-confidence, and can lead to an inferiority complex. The above-given bleaching cream treatments and homemade remedies can definitely work to permanently get rid of dark, patchy spots.