Pigmentation of the face, also known as melasma or chloasma, is caused by an overproduction of melanin--the pigment that determines your skin color-- by skin cells known as melanocytes. This overproduction causes brown, patchy splotches to appear. Causes of the condition include hormonal imbalances, excessive sun exposure, pregnancy and allergies. Most skin pigmentation conditions fade over time, but there are a number of effective treatments that can provide a smooth even tone to the skin again.
Bleaching Creams
According to DermNet, skin discoloration is slow to respond to treatments, so patients should be patient and continue with the chosen regimen until they see results. Doctors sometimes prescribe topical steroids to act as anti-inflammatory agents and reduce the swelling that often accompanies skin changes. Products such as hydrocortisone fade the dark colors on the skin. Hydroquinone in 2- to 4-percent strength is available over the counter to darken chloasma spots and patches. You should use it for only two to four months in a row. A bleaching cream that is safe to use long-term is azelaic acid. Azelaic acid is a treatment made of yeast found naturally on the skin. While sunscreen is not effective to treat abnormal pigmentation, it is necessary to prevent further discoloration once your skin has returned to normal.
Peels
Various skin peels can remove the top layer of skin and allow new, unblemished skin to regenerate. Results are unpredictable and side effects of peels usually include redness and blisters that heal within a week or so. Salicylic acid loosens the proteins in the top layer of skin, making it easy to scrub off. The treatment comes in a variety of forms, from ointments and gels to lotions, pads and plaster. Alpha hydroxy acids are natural peels such as those derived from fruits, meat, cheese and yogurt. The alpha hydroxy treatments don't require any downtime but take longer to work, up to three months, gradually removing the discoloration. Topical retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that work well in conjunction with bleaching creams to promote fresh skin growth. Common retinoids used to treat pigmentation issues include tretinoin and adapalene.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing treatments use small, intense beams of light and usually require multiple treatments to be effective. Ablative lasers are used to treat extensive discoloration because they take off a deep layer of skin. Ablative lasers shoot millions of tiny dots of light focused on the areas that need replenishing. They are the most effective to treat skin discoloration, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In addition to removing the discoloration, the lasers also stimulate collagen production, increasing the healing time and generating strong new skin cells. Light emitting devices, or LEDs, and intense pulsed light typically are used to treat light discoloration as they don't penetrate as deeply.
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