Most people suffer from some skin problems that cause the emergence of some abnormal pigmentation, which distorts the aesthetic view of the person, especially with the appearance of skin pigmentation in the facial area.
Some specialized cells produce melanin pigment, which gives the skin its color. In the event of damage or injury to these cells, the secretion of melanin is affected, resulting in dark areas and spots. Treatment of skin pigmentation is one of the important steps in improving the patient's general appearance and enhancing his self-confidence.
In the following lines, we will talk about the causes and treatment of skin pigmentation and burns. Based on the pattern of skin pigmentation distribution, It can be classified into two main types: focal pigmentation and diffuse pigmentation. Focal pigmentation usually appears after the skin is exposed to an injury that causes severe inflammation, such as burns or wounds. On the other hand, diffuse pigmentation appears due to some diseases or tumors.
The most important causes of skin pigmentation are:
• Skin inflammation, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which appears after the inflammation of burns or wounds or after the appearance of acne, where inflammation causes an increase in the secretion of melanin to protect the skin, and as a result of an increase in melanin secretion, the color of this area in the skin changes. It usually appears brown or black, depending on the color of the patient's skin, the severity of the inflammation, and the intensity of the pigmentation.
• Exposure to sunlight for long periods increases the secretion of melanin to protect against the sun's rays, which leads to dark spots, such as freckles, which usually appear on the face.
• Taking some medications that contain certain chemicals may lead to the appearance of grayish skin pigmentation, and these medications include some antibiotics, NSAIDS, and tricyclic antidepressants.
• Hormonal imbalance: Some skin pigmentation may appear as dark, uniform spots on the face, neck, and upper thighs, known as melasma. Melasma usually affects pregnant women and women who use birth control pills.
• Some diseases and health disorders: such as eczema, psoriasis, or Addison's disease, a disorder in the functioning of the adrenal gland that leads to some pigmentation in different parts of the body, such as the knee, elbow, and hand joints.
• Excessive smoking.
• Autoimmune diseases or metabolic problems.
• Acne scars.
• Skin damage or injury after making a tattoo.
Treatment of pigmentation and burns:
There are different methods for treating skin pigmentation, depending on its cause. Some home remedies and creams can treat pigmentation, such as skin-lightening creams are used to treat melasma and pigmentation caused by exposure to sunlight, and vitamin E, which works to renew body cells due to its antioxidant properties. Vitamin E is preferred to be used with vitamin C to treat dark spots on the skin. Some acids work to exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin to lighten the skin, such as salicylic acid, retinoids, and vitamin C cream.
However, other cosmetic procedures are performed in the doctor's specialized clinic, such as:
• Chemical peeling:
Chemical peeling is done with some chemicals that help remove the dead and damaged layers of the skin and reveal new, healthy layers. Chemical peeling differs in terms of depth into superficial, medium, and deep peeling. Deep peeling requires a recovery period of up to three weeks, while superficial peeling only requires a short time. Some redness, swelling, and skin dryness may appear after the session, but they disappear over time, and the skin becomes lighter without any dark pigmentation.
• Fractional Laser.
• Carbon Laser.
• Crystal Peeling.
• Skin scraping:
Skin scraping is done using a specific tool to get rid of the outer layer of the skin and renew it by placing fine particles of aluminum oxide and sodium bicarbonate. It is considered a safe way to treat dark spots on the skin.
• Plasma injection.
Can the skin be protected from dark spots?
Of course, it is possible, but this is difficult as some reasons cannot be controlled, such as the appearance of dark spots or melasma during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. However, some tips can reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation, such as:
• Avoiding exposure to sunlight for long periods.
• Using sunscreen creams when exposed to sunlight for a long time.
• Proper treatment of skin problems and acne.
• Avoid taking any medications without consulting a specialized doctor.
• Quitting smoking.
