Pigmentation and melasma can both cause unwanted skin discoloration and blotchy patches of skin. Many people think they’re the same, but the difference between the two lies in their symptoms, causes, and approaches for treatment. Do you think you might be suffering from skin darkening and uneven tone? The experts at Le Beau Visage Medical Spa in Frisco, TX can help you distinguish the difference between the two and find an effective solution that will significantly improve your physical appearance.
Pigmentation and Melasma: What’s the Difference?
An uneven skin tone or complexion is a common cosmetic problem for many. Melasma and skin complexion issues mostly affect the face and other parts of the body most exposed to the sun. Due to damage caused by ultraviolet rays or other medical conditions, your skin may develop dark and discolored skin patches. If you are bothered by this unwanted appearance, you might have tried to spend less time under the sun to achieve a more even complexion.
However, these two skin complexion issues are separate disorders with their own set of symptoms. They require different treatment strategies for an optimal cure and long-term outcomes. If you’d like to erase the signs of these skin problems, simply following home remedies and generic treatments cannot always guarantee visible results.
What Is Pigmentation?
Pigmentation refers to the unique coloring of a person’s skin. Healthy people usually have natural-looking, even skin tone that’s generally the same shade throughout their body. However, some factors can cause the skin to change in color, with certain spots becoming darker or lighter. This change is usually considered unwanted and unflattering.
However, if melanin is overproduced, the skin color in the affected areas becomes irregular or uneven. Skin darkening or uneven skin tone is not inherently a disease in itself. However, you might feel unattractive and tend to wear clothing that hides your body to conceal specific areas with a significantly darker color than the rest of your body. Skin darkening may occur in a few broad areas or small patches across the body.
What Causes Skin Darkening?
Uneven darkening of the skin is caused by high melanin, which is the color material in the body. Do you wonder why some people suffer from this condition? Pregnancy or hormonal problems may increase melanin production in some areas of the body. Another leading cause of hyperpigmentation is direct exposure to sunlight. In some cases, skin darkening can be caused by skin inflammation or irritation.
Medications can also contribute to skin darkening, so you might want to check with your physician if you are on medication. The most common manifestation of skin darkening is so-called liver spots or age spots. These grow due to damage to the sun or as a natural consequence of skin aging. Most of the time, they appear on the ears, hands, and upper back. There are treatments that can address this condition so that you can fade or minimize their appearance.
What Is Melasma?
This is a skin disease that affects the coloration in certain areas of your skin. The most affected area is usually the face, even though dark patches may also grow on the hands, arms, or anywhere else on the body. This condition can look a lot like unwanted skin darkening at first glance. Its visible signs and causes, however, are very different. The appearance of these dark or brown patches is caused by hormones that stimulate the production of melanin.
The patches tend to be much larger or symmetrical than liver spots. The cells producing pigments that are related to this condition are known as melanocytes. Many factors can stimulate the production of melanocytes, such as sun exposure, anxiety, and malnutrition. It’s not always easy to reduce or remove the appearance of these unwanted dark patches, especially when the causes such as stress and heat cannot always be avoided.
What Triggers Dark Patches in the Skin?
Many people tend to get discolored blotches on their facial areas. The most frequent causes are hormones, pregnancy, and genetics. This condition is also more prevalent in women than men since hormones are the most likely cause. We also notice that dark patches of skin appear most commonly during pregnancy, when there are much higher estrogen and progesterone levels. Because the reason is not always environmental, you may need more advanced treatments to address this skin complexion issue.
Some individuals are also more prone to developing dark skin patches than others. The condition may be due to their genes or family background. Complexion issues are also common in those who have darker skin tones. It also appears to run in families. For instance, nearly half of women in Asian countries suffer from uneven skin tone and complexion. Besides hormonal changes, sun exposure can also trigger the condition or make it worse.
IPL Photorejuvenation: An Ideal Solution
It might seem like skin complexion problems can be difficult or impossible to treat due to their nature and symptoms. Thanks to cosmetic innovations, there is a hopeful remedy that can help you achieve a more even complexion.
IPL Photorejuvenation is a modern treatment using intense pulsed light (IPL) to fix skin color problems. As a cosmetic solution, IPL Photorejuvenation can also help reduce pore size and minimize the appearance of fine wrinkles by stimulating collagen production.
What Makes the Treatment Unique?
IPL Photorejuvenation works by transmitting light pulses deep into the skin without impacting or damaging the surface area. We use a handheld device that can be calibrated to emit a desired light frequency combination. The light beams from the device are focused on the surface of the skin through a lens. They pass through the epidermis so they can be absorbed by darker cells.
The heat from the intense pulsed light kickstarts skin rejuvenation. The body reacts to the treatment by delivering nutrients that will encourage the growth of new skin tissues. Newly developed skin grows healthier, with just the right color and tone. After a number of treatment sessions, you can enjoy more even skin tone and less visible dark spots.
Why Choose IPL Photorejuvenation?
Laser treatments use only one wavelength, but IPL treatments can use various calibrated wavelengths to achieve the best results. This treatment is suitable when it comes to treating large areas with skin discoloration problems. It is also safe, non-invasive, and requires little to no downtime.
Many people are ideal candidates for the treatment, as it can address various skin types. The most common areas for treatment include the face, chest, arms, or back.
How Is the Treatment Performed?
One session lasts between 30 minutes and one hour. To ensure your safety and convenience, we will both wear eye protection during the treatment. A cool gel is used to purify and condition your skin first. Afterward, we will place a handheld device with a smooth glass surface against your skin.
Every pulse coming from the device will leave a snapping sensation. This sensation is entirely normal and should be tolerable. As we finish your treatment, we will clean and condition the treated area using a cool gel. A cold compress can be applied to help you feel comfortable and relaxed after the treatment. Lastly, we will apply a moisturizer and sunscreen on the treated area.
What Results Can You Expect From an IPL Treatment?
You can expect lasting results and benefits from the treatment. Within two to three weeks of the first photorejuvenation session, your skin should appear smoother with a more even complexion. You’ll notice a visible decrease in dark spots, fine lines, and even the size of your pores after a series of treatments. To maintain your results, we will advise you to follow a proper skincare routine and avoid excessive sun exposure.
What Other Conditions Can IPL Photorejuvenation Address?
IPL Photorejuvenation is compatible with many parts of the body. Still, the most common areas for treatment are those that receive the most frequent exposure to sunlight. Compared to other treatments, the emitted light from photorejuvenation does not damage the upper layers of the skin.
You will experience little to no side effects compared to laser or dermabrasion. If you are looking to treat other skin conditions, you may consider IPL Photorejuvenation as an effective alternative,
Sun Damage
IPL Photorejuvenation is also an effective treatment to eliminate the signs of sun damage. Due to excessive exposure to the sun, collagen production in your skin may decrease, causing your skin to look less healthy and aged. IPL Photorejuvenation can help repair your skin by stimulating collagen growth.
Port-Wine Stains
Purplish marks on the skin are commonly known as port-wine stains. If left untreated, port-wine stains may continue to darken throughout the years. Through the use of IPL Photorejuvenation therapies, they can be virtually eliminated or minimized.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder characterized by redness on the face. It occasionally affects the neck and chest areas. Through IPL Photorejuvenation, you can effectively treat this condition and enjoy a more even skin tone. The treatment helps minimize redness and irregular skin tones.
Cherry and Spider Angiomas
Cherry angiomas are characterized by growths that include damaged blood capillaries. These spots can cause an uneven skin tone and tend to be distracting for some. IPL Photorejuvenation treatments can successfully eliminate cherry angiomas and remove the bumpy appearance caused by the condition.
Are You a Candidate for IPL Photorejuvenation?
There are many skin benefits that you can enjoy from this treatment. Most people are qualified for the treatment, but we will properly assess your condition to determine if you are a good candidate. It’s important that you are in overall good health before receiving the treatment. We will also discuss your personal goals and expectations, so we can create a plan that can help achieve your ideal results.
The following conditions may prevent you from acquiring the treatment:
- You have tanned or extremely dark skin
- You are taking Accutane
- You are pregnant
IPL Photorejuvenation is a beneficial treatment for anyone who wants to improve their appearance and achieve a more even skin tone. For those who want to get rid of their brown spots and dark patches, it’s one of the most effective, safe, and non-invasive treatments available. Those with fair skin usually see the most excellent outcomes of this treatment.
Find Treatment for Your Skin Problems Today
Are you concerned about uneven skin tone or the appearance of unwanted dark spots? Finding a dermatologist you can trust is your first step towards achieving healthier, rejuvenated skin. We can create a treatment plan that will help you say goodbye to unwanted spots and dark patches. The most effective way to address your skin complexion problems doesn’t have to be painful, inconvenient, or time-consuming.
Contact Le Beau Visage Medical Spa in Frisco, TX, today to schedule a consultation! We are here to provide you with effective, lasting solutions that make a difference.
