Hyperpigmentation is defined as a darkening of the skin and can occur in the outermost layer (epidermis) or deeper into the tissues (dermis). The darkened areas may look brown, blue or gray, depending on the location of the excess melanin. People of all ages and skin colors may have hyperpigmentation. The condition can be something a person is born with, or it can develop over the course of a lifetime. The treatment of this skin disorder may be topical or a more involved method according to specific symptoms.
Step 1
Visit your doctor so that he can examine your spot of hyperpigmentation and determine the type and cause of the condition. Epidermal hyperpigmentation usually looks brown, while dermal hyperpigmentation tends to be on the bluer end of the color spectrum. Your doctor may take a biopsy to diagnose post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), a condition that is sometimes associated with lupus, atopic dermatitis or other allergies.
Step 2
Treat epidermal hyperpigmentation with a variety of topical creams or acids as prescribed by your doctor. Hydroquinone is an ingredient in prescription creams that is often used to treat age spots and other dark marks on the skin. Steroidal creams such as tretinoin (0.1 percent strength) may also be effective. Glycolic acid, also known as alpha-hydroxy acid, may also be able to fade some of the darkening.
Step 3
Undergo advanced beauty treatments to resolve hyperpigmentation. A chemical peel uses acid to essentially burn the top layers of skin, at which point the skin begins to peel off. The fresh new skin that grows usually does not show the same pigmentation abnormalities. Dermabrasion is a similar concept, yet it removes the darkened skin through a "sanding" process without the use of acid. Both treatments are expensive.
Step 4
Treat hyperpigmentation with cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is a medical procedure that involves freezing the affected area with a liquid form of nitrogen, destroying the increased pigment. When the area heals, the color usually looks lighter than before. Cryotherapy carries a risk of permanent discoloration and scarring among African-Americans and others who have dark skin.
Step 5
Try laser therapy as a treatment method. The November/December 2004 issue of "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology" provides evidence in its review of hyperpigmentation treatments that a combination of CO2 laser treatments along with ruby and alexandrite lasers is effective in managing dermal hyperpigmentation. Several laser sessions may be needed to achieve the desired effect.
Tips and Warnings
- Makeup that is specially tinted can help hide abnormal pigmentation. Though this can help cover up the problem, makeup will not cause the hyperpigmentation to go away.
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