Hyperpigmentation

post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments

Posted by Great Skin Day × February 13, 2012 at 1:54 pm

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments

Looking for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments? Learn more about what options you have to overcome hyperpigmentation. Post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a problem that may be frequently encountered amongst both men and women. People that have a darker Asian, Native American, Latin American, African skin, or darker Mediterranean skin complexions and tones are also more likely to get hyperpigmentation. It is also more likely if these individuals are exposed to the sun excessively.

Post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation causes skin darkening and discoloration that show up as dark spots, red spots, or as large patches on a person’s body. It can be attributed to a number of underlying factors of various cutaneous disorders as well as therapeutic interventions. wiki

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation pictures

post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments – What Causes Post Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation could possibly occur due to sunlight damage , swelling , or perhaps some other skin injury , as well as those associated with acne vulgaris. Post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation is visible by the dark and discolored spots that can appear on body areas following acne that has healed. The spots are flat areas of skin discoloration also referred to as macules.

Depending on your skin color and acne, the spots can be pinkish, red, brown or black. Overproduction of melanin is what causes hyperpigmentation and is a response to skin inflammation caused by the acne.

hyperpigmentation and melsama are visible discolourations of the skin

What is Melanin?

Melanin is a protein that is responsible for skin color, and in this case, it is this excess production that causes hyperpigmentation. Fortunately Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is not a true scar, and there are available treatments to fade the dark spots.

Help is available – post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments

There are certain post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments that can be used to fade the onset of pigmented skin.

Whitening or Brightening Products can be an effective over-the-counter treatment. It is important prior to using these whitening treatments that your acne is under control to ensure an effective result. Using such products may be counter productive whilst recurring acne persist as more cases of acne may result in dark spots appearing again.

post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments – products

The following Skincare products may be a suitable way to help remove the signs of visible Hyperpigmentation.

Hydroquinone based products or creams is a widely used treatment for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

How does hydroquinone cream work? It works by inhibiting the enzyme that enables melanin production. By using the Hydroquinone the active ingredients lightens the skin and helps minimise the blemish of affected areas. The active ingredients in Hydroquinone creams can range from product to product, the common lightening ingredients include

glycolic acid is a common skin lightening ingredient
tretinoin
other retinoids
kojic acid an effective skin brightening ingredient often used in peels also
vitamin C

The Cream should be applied carefully only to the dark spots, to avoid any unwanted lightening of the normal skin areas. Hydroquinone is available as over-the-counter and prescription treatments.

Topical retinoids can be considered another alternative treatment to help alieviate visible dark spots on your skin.

The application of Retinods that may be considered are:

Tretinoin
Tazarotene.

The examples of specific retinoid creams are:

Retin-A
Tazorac
Differin.

How do Retinoids work?

Retinoids are used to enhance and increase the turnover rate of cells. The specific retinoids are shown to help in clearing acne as well as dark spots making the use of these topical creams a suitable and convenient means for treating acne or pigmentation.

The duration of treatment may be several weeks to a number of months prior to showing any visible reduction or clearing of dark spots.

Skincare Products with Glycolic acid – Exfoliating active ingredient.

Products that contain glycolic acid may assist in the removal of dark spots. The use of Glycolic acid is a way to use an exfoliating affect. By using an exfoliating active agent or active ingredient, it can help exfoliate the darker areas or spots. Thereby taking a small layer of dead skin of the darker area and lightening the dark spots. It also has the added advantage and benefit og leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Glycolic acid is available through selected online stores in the form of creams, gels and cleansers as an effective addition to your post hyperpigmentation treatment regime. Higher concentrations of Glycolic acid containing active ingredient is available through prescription.

The use of Glycolic acid as an exfoliater is shown to support the sign of visible darkness areas, however it may take a number of weeks or months to show the results as the process is gradual.

The use of Azelaic acid is another alternative treatment for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The use of Alzelaic acid is a suitable way to help by decreasing inflammation and increasing rate of cell turnover.

Azelaic acid is suitable for the fading of dark spots, also with the help of treating acne. Research on the use of Azelaic acid has shown that the benefits of its regular use are seen to be as effective as hydoquinone cream. Azelaic acid is also a positive addition to a targeted skincare treatment for the removal or reduction of hyperpigmentation.

Azelaic acid products are only available through prescription in cream and gel form.

It may be used along with retinoids and glycolic acid.

post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments – Alternative Treatment Options

Along with over-the-counter products, the alternative options available for the treatment of hyperpigmentaion are varied. Administered by professionals to improve the visible signs of hyperpigmentaion include:

Chemical Peel Technique for helping reduce hyperpigmentation

This is the application of a active ingredient chemical to help remove the top layer of skin, in the aim to remove the affected dark spots.

Microdermabrasion

Is a suplimentary or stand alone process that helps exfoliate a layer of skin. This is the use of a rotating disc to help buff or safely remove the top layer of skin. The aim to help remove some of the darker areas and bring back an even tone of skin to your affected area.

Laser therapy for hyperpigmentation

Can be another alternative treatment to support with the removal of dark spots by again removing the top layers of skin.

As you can understand from the options of helping alleviate the visible signs of post hyperpigmentation, there are a number of possibilities to support with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments.

These options include brightening treatments as well as professionally administered treatments.