Skin Pigmentation On Face

Excessive pigmentation on face is something that if you have it, you may wonder why you have it, what causes it and how to reduce it.

Skin pigmentation on face may be caused by a number of reasons such as sun damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris. People with darker Asian, Mediterranean or African skin tones are also more prone to hyperpigmentation, especially if they have been exposed excessively to the sun UV rays.

Several forms of hyperpigmentation are caused by excessive production of melanin in the body. The pigmentation can be diffuse or focal, affecting such areas as the face and the back of the hands. Melanin is a pigment responsible for producing colour in parts of the body such as the skin, eyes and hair. It is produced in the body by melanocytes in the lower layers of the epidermis.  As we age, melanocyte distribution becomes less diffuse and its regulation less easily controlled by the body. UV light stimulates melanocyte activity, and where concentrations of the cells are denser than in surrounding areas, hyperpigmentation is effected.

Skin pigmentation on face is quite common and occurs as a result of the above. However, as we are talking about the face, it can sometimes be the most distressing. Sometimes, skin pigmentation on face will spontaneously go, particularly if it only occurs during pregnancy when it is often referred to as a pregnancy mask.

However, for most people, there is no spontaneous end to pigmentation and they will have to get some form of treatment. There are of course several over-the-counter lightening creams that can be very effective, but if you problem is more severe, then you will need to see your doctor and get a prescription of a specially formulated cream.

There are other options to keep pigmentation on face at bay such as skin peels and laser resurfacing treatment, But again, your doctor or dermatologist are best placed to advise you on this as treatment will differ according to the cause and how the problem has manifested for the individual.

Hyperpigmentation Treatment And Causes

There are several causes for pigmentation, or dark, uneven patches of skin on the face. Hormonal imbalances, sun damage, skin injuries, acne scarring, or medicinal side-effects can all cause a pigmentation on face. However, you should be able to find an effective hyperpigmentation treatment as there are several that are currently available.

Some are topical creams and some are procedures, but all have proven to be an effective hyperpigmentation treatment. The most cost efficient treatments, Hydroquinone and Retin-A, are often prescribed together to treat any skin pigmentation. Hydroquinone bleaches the skin and blocks melanin production. Its best friend, Retin-A, exfoliates the skin, clearing away dead cells and stimulating new cell growth.

Another common treatment is Lumixyl, another bleaching, brightening agent. Hydroquinone, Retin-A, and Lumixyl are all home-based treatments. There are many other, office-based treatments available.

Chemical peels are another common method of hyperpigmentation treatment. A chemical peel is a way of removing dead and damaged skin and making room for the growth of new, healthy cells. Chemical peels cost a lot more than the aforementioned topical treatments – usually at least a thousand dollars. Chemical peels can be mild, medium, or deep, so be sure you know which is right for you and take advice first as some, such as a glycolic acid chemical peel, are only suitable for some acne sufferers.

One way to force the growth of the new, healthy cells that chemical peels make way for is to get IPL treatments, or Intense Pulsated Light, that is also referred to as photo rejuvenation. This costs about half as much as a chemical peel.

Laser resurfacing is much like a chemical peel in its ability to erase damaged skin cells, though the methodology is entirely different. Laser resurfacing usually costs between one and several thousand dollars depending on the severity of the pigmentation. Laser resurfacing can also be used to remove moles, birthmarks, warts, body hair, tattoos, acne, and scars.

Finally, much like laser resurfacing and chemical peels, microdermabrasion is another way to exfoliate skin. Dead cells are suctioned away, leaving room for fresh cells to grow. Microdermabrasion requires several sessions but can be done in the home, in a beauty salon, or in a medical setting, depending on the severity. When using a hyperpigmentation treatment, you will find that their effectiveness and cost to be widely varied, as are the causes for pigmentation. Be sure you consult a specialist to determine cause and the best course of treatment, but keep in mind that there are treatments out there for every person and most budgets whether you have pigmentation on face, body or both.

Home Remedies For Pigmentation On Face And Body

Facial Skin pigmentation is the process of darkening of the facial skin due to various factors. These factors might be hereditary, might be due to the tanning because of over exposure to sunlight or might due to some skin disorders. Whatever may be the reason, there are some home remedial ways in which this condition can be reversed and the skin will be able to retain the brightness and the luster. The subsequent section will talk in detail about the various home remedies for pigmentation on face.

Home remedies for pigmentation on face are absolutely safe as it involves the application of substance available at home and doesn’t produce any adverse reactions. In one of the home remedial methods, a mixture of 1 teaspoon of honey, milk powder, lime juice and half a teaspoon of almond oil is applied to the face and then washed with clean water after a duration of 10 to 15 minutes.

Another of the home remedies for pigmentation on face involves applying a mixture of curd, tomato juice and oatmeal on the face and then washing the face after a duration of 20 minutes with warm water. This will reduce the tanning effect on the facial skin and brighten the skin surface.

One more excellent home remedy involves the application of a mixture of turmeric powder and the lime juice on the facial skin and then washing it after 15 minutes. Dried orange peels mixed with curd can also be used to reduce the pigmentation on face. This mixture can be allowed to remain on the face for about 15 minutes and then washed off by using cold water.

All the above mentioned home remedies for pigmentation are not a one time affair. One has to continuously do them for at least a month to get the needed benefit. There is also a home remedy which can be followed for 15 days after which the person will see a definite difference. In this 15 day home therapy, the person has to apply a mixture of almond paste with milk over the face and leave overnight and then wash it off in the morning. After 15 days, the pigmentation would have been greatly reduced.

These are some of the home remedies for pigmentation on face, that can be tried at home. One has to ensure that the products that are being used are sourced from an authorized store. One should not compromise on quality by trying to buy cheap and duplicate products. This might have an adverse effect on the facial skin. During the home therapy period, there may be times when the person might feel frustrated in preparing the same mixture daily. In that case, one could prepare the mixture that will last for 3 days when stored in a cool, dark place where there there is no direct sun light.