Black Owned Skin Care Companies

Treatment for Skin Discoloration

Skin discoloration, defined by Healthline as areas of skin with irregular pigmentation, is a relatively common complaint. Common causes range from illness to injury to inflammation. Whatever the cause, if you're looking to regain a more even complexion, this quick guide to skin discoloration treatments could help.

Hydroquinone

Self notes that hydroquinone has been the go-to treatment for dark spots for decades. Used topically, it can work as an effective dark spot remover for skin. Over-the-counter formulas have a concentration of around 2 percent, while prescription formulas are about twice as strong. The medication works by stopping tyrosinase, a key enzyme that contributes to the production of melanin, a dark pigment in skin.

Self recommends applying the treatment at night when you're just starting out. For maximum benefits, increase it to twice daily. Possible side effects include possible lightening in areas outside of the discoloration. Other common reactions include:

• Redness
• Dryness
• Burning

Topical Vitamin Treatments

Unlike hydroquinone, vitamin C won't lighten your skin outside of the discolored areas. When used topically, this antioxidant works by combating free radicals, blocking them from causing the damage-related discoloration, according to Self. Additionally, it helps block some of the enzymes that contribute to melanin production. Likewise, Healthline notes that topical use of vitamin A can also help even out skin tone and promote the overall health of your skin. Vitamin A topical treatments may be found over-the-counter or by prescription.

Exfoliating Treatments

There are two main exfoliating treatments used to minimize dark spots on your face and other areas of the skin: chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Chemical peels get rid of the top few layers of your skin, leaving it better able to reflect light and enhancing its glow. Over time, treatments stimulate the production of collagen and minimize discoloration. Self notes that it may take between three and six treatments to see results.

While chemical peels rely on chemical ingredients like glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids to perform their exfoliation, microdermabrasion uses fine particles of sand to slough away dead skin. Unlike chemical peels, this treatment doesn't destroy any skin, so it doesn't require any recovery time. While it can help lighten discoloration and provide a more even complexion, the results are typically less dramatic according to Self.

Sunscreen

Skin discoloration treatments aren't just about removing age spots or lighting dark spots. They're also about preventing them from getting worse. Sunscreen is essential to blocking the damaging rays of the sun that can darken dark spots on skin, according to Self. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen, use it daily and reapply it every two hours or so if you're out in direct sunlight, as Self suggests.

Medical Treatments

If you notice lasting changes, any new moles or skin growths or a change in the size or look of a mole or growth, you should make an appointment with your doctor to rule out any serious conditions, including skin cancer, as suggested by Healthline. Your doctor may want to perform blood tests, a Wood's lamp exam to rule out infection or perform a skin biopsy to get a better look at the area under a microscope. If your doctor finds an underlying condition is causing the skin discoloration, he'll start by treating that condition. The discoloration may resolve on its own after that, or you may need to try a combination of treatments, including home remedies or medical interventions like laser therapy, which is often used to lighten dark spots on skin.

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