Dealing with Pigmentation

Skin pigmentation is a common condition that can be triggered by various factors. The three leading causes of skin pigmentation are genetics, sun exposure, and particular medications. Understanding the fundamental causes of skin pigmentation will help us understand how to treat and prevent it.

Unexpectedly, 125 genes can influence skin tone. The production of melanin is governed by genes and hormones. A person has control over his or her skin’s ability to function and live, as well as how much pheomelanin or eumelanin they produce by, for instance, deciding how much sun exposure they receive, or the amount of drugs and cosmetics they use. These elements could alter the tone of skin over time. Thus, one of the most frequent reasons for skin color is genetics. Genetics may be able to predict how many melanocytes each individual will have. It is melanocytes, which are skin cells, that make melanin. However, during hyperpigmentation and tanning, melanosomes (the organelles that contain melanin) must be transported and expanded, but during hypopigmentation, melanosomes decrease. Melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, is more likely to be present in larger concentrations in people with darker skin tones. For example, individuals with darker skin tones frequently have higher melanin levels than those with lighter skin tones.

Sun exposure is a common cause of skin pigmentation. The body produces more melanin, in order to defend itself against UV rays from the sun. This may make the skin more pigmented, to shield it from the sun’s rays. Persistent UV exposure leads to the emergence of pigmentation. The following phases make up the formation mechanism. (1) UV radiation produces free radicals. (2) The free radicals and UV light activate biological agents that impact melanocytes, the cells responsible for creating pigment. (3) The enzyme tyrosinase transforms the amino acid tyrosine into melanin pigments, which can be either red or brown in color. (4) Biological substances act to increase the activity of the enzyme Tyrosinase, which generates pigment. (5) Melanin is lost from the skin, as skin cells travel to the surface layers and are shed during the skin’s natural exfoliation process. Melanin is delivered as granules from nearby keratinocytes, to give the skin its colour.

Several medications may also lighten the skin’s pigment. One class of drugs, antibiotics, can boost melanin synthesis, increasing skin color. When certain medications, such as birth control pills, are taken together, skin pigmentation may also intensify. A person taking medicine should speak with their doctor to find out if the medication could impact the color of their skin.

Topical creams are the most common type of drug used to treat skin pigmentation. They are applied directly to the affected area, and can lighten or darken the skin. The main advantage of topical creams is that they can be used at home, and do not require a trip to the doctor. Additionally, they are typically less expensive than oral medications. Topical cream application, however, comes with several drawbacks. They can be messy and time-consuming to apply, and they may only sometimes be as effective as oral medications.

Topical steroids are the most often recommended drug in dermatology. They are prescribed for various conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus, intertrigo, and psoriasis, due to their immunosuppressive, anti-mitogenic, and anti-inflammatory characteristics.

Vitamins A, B, C, and E can all be used to address skin pigmentation problems, and are necessary for healthy skin. Each vitamin, which can be obtained from foods or supplements, has specific advantages. Niacin, pantothenic acid, and biotin are the B vitamins most frequently found in skincare products. Niacin, also known as niacinamide, is a vitamin that is used in face creams and masks, to minimise the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines, and dullness. Pantothenic acid is also applied to dry, flaky skin, as a moisturiser. Numerous hair, nail, and skincare products include biotin. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), an antioxidant, inhibits tyrosinase by binding to copper, and suppressing the oxidative polymerization of melanin precursors, which prevents melanin synthesis in the melanogenesis pathway.

Antioxidants and fatty acids included in oils such as rosehip, jojoba, and argan oil aid in reducing inflammation, and brightening the skin. Natural oils can also shield the skin from the effects of the environment, preventing further discoloration. Aloe vera also includes aloin, which has been demonstrated to lighten skin and function well as a non-toxic hyperpigmentation therapy.

The preferred method of treatment for problems with skin pigmentation has long been laser therapy. The melanin in the skin can be reduced and evened out by lasering the afflicted area, leading to a more even complexion. As time goes on, technological developments mean that lasers are more and more efficient. Today, pigmentation can be targeted in deeper, more covert locations, thanks to laser technology. For instance, lasers can now be used to target pigment under the skin’s surface, without causing irritation or damage to the skin! As a result, problems such as age spots and sun damage can be treated without any negative consequences or discomfort. To remove obstinate pigmentation, the most recent lasers combine optical energy with intense pulsed light (IPL).

Topical creams and serums are among the newest and most promising therapies for skin pigmentation. These remedies include substances such as niacinamide, kojic acid, licorice extract, and mulberry extract that are especially made to fight pigmentation. These chemicals have the potential to significantly reduce dark spots, lighten skin tone, and enhance the skin’s overall clarity and texture. For instance, kojic acid can limit tyrosinase activity, which helps to prevent hyperpigmentation from occurring, and niacinamide can suppress melanin formation, which helps to reduce skin discoloration. In order to prevent the skin from experiencing any unpleasant reactions or side effects, the treatment should also be free of parabens and other harmful preservatives.

In order to diminish pigmentation, micro-needling is a process used to increase the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production. In order to provide a more exact therapy, the technique now involves using specialised instruments. Small needles are used in the procedure, to puncture the skin and create microscopic channels that can only be seen under a microscope. This straightforward procedure enhances collagen synthesis, while promoting the skin’s natural ability to mend itself. Overall, with excellent outcomes, micro-needling is quickly rising to the top of the list of popular methods for lightening skin.

Typically, chemical peels are used to remove the top layers of skin, which lessens the visibility of dark patches. Combination treatments, however, are far more effective for the skin. Combination therapies are proving to be even more effective at minimising dark spots. These combination treatments include several acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, which, when used together, can be much more potent than when used separately. These combined therapies, which neither lasers nor light-based devices can currently offer, can help with both facial discoloration, and uneven pigmentation on other parts of the body, with only one treatment.

One of the most promising new therapies for diseases of skin pigmentation is plasma pen therapy. Freckles, age spots, sunspots, and melasma can all be treated using this technique, which removes pigment from the skin by means of a targeted plasma energy beam. Compared to previous therapies, this one is less intrusive, and has fewer adverse effects.

The use of radiofrequency therapies to treat diseases of skin pigmentation is growing in popularity. The appearance of dark areas, and the overall tone and texture of the skin, can be improved by this technology, which uses radio waves to break down melanin deposits in the skin. Radiofrequency treatments are quick, non-invasive, safe, and do not entail a long recovery time.

Combination treatments, which use a combination of acids to lessen the appearance of dark spots, are becoming more and more popular for treating skin pigmentation disorders. Promising technologies such as plasma pen therapy and radiofrequency treatments are also gaining popularity.

NOT MY OWN WORK The above is taken from:

Thawabteh AM, Jibreen A, Karaman D, Thawabteh A, Karaman R. Skin Pigmentation Types, Causes and Treatment-A Review. Molecules. 2023 Jun 18;28(12):4839. doi: 10.3390/molecules28124839. PMID: 37375394; PMCID: PMC10304091. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is taken from an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).