Pigmentation Superficial vs. Deep Ways to Treat

In La Jolla

By Nasrin Mani, M.D.

All skins can become pigmented (unless you have no melanin at all!)  To minimize the discoloration you can go “slow-mo” with topical treatments or super fast with laser.

Can you reduce pigment problems on your own? Yes. IF you are a dedicated person, you can reduce pigmentation problems simply by using sunscreen all the time (but we mean ALL the time!) That takes time – and if you forget, even one day in the sun can start the melanin stampede all over again. But, by preventing your skin from absorbing UV light, over time your own skin cell turnover will provide some level of  improvement. Over the counter topicals can be of some help, but unless you know the ones to avoid, you can create bigger problems than using nothing at all.

Popular clinic treatment courses include the Fraxel Dual Pigmentation laser designed exclusively for superficial pigmentation and surface lesion such as actinic keratosis. The laser litteraly blasts the melanin into fragments and forces a peel to lift them quickly. Prep is necessary for darker skins, but worth the extra time to get your melanin cells into hibernation. Lighter skins can be treated with no preparation.

Cosmelan DePigmentation and our custom-level skin lighteners work more slowly, but are in a lower price range for those who find laser unaffordable.

Deeper pigmentation may require the power behind fractional CO2 lasers since these systems actually remove tiny columns of skin (and the melanin encased in the tissue) along with post-laser topicals to keep the pigment from returning. As with all hyperpigmentation issues and treatments, sunscreen and sunblock are mandatory.

In any case, we’re happy to provide a complimentary consult to discuss the options and how they might work for your particular skin discoloration issue. No one likes feeling like they look dirty or spotty and we have enough variety of treatment choices to help you get the job done.

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