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What Is Acne Discoloration ?
| Acne
Acne vulgaris, is one of the biggest challenges to women with brown skin who seek clear, glowing complexions. In addition to the acne, women with brown skin must also face hyperpigmentation—skin darkening in spots or patches— which occur in response to the acne outbreak.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation conditions can be skin problems for all women (and men) with brown skin - people of Asian, African, Latin or Native American background.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Skin pigmentation conditions can be a problem for all women (and men) with brown skin - people of Asian, African, Latin or Native American background. While the natural pigmentation in brown skin provides many advantages—sun protection and slowed signs of aging—it is also more highly susceptible to skin discolorations, which can cause distress in social situations, as well as psychological stress.
Melanin
Melanin is the chemical that determines the color of skin. The more melanin there is in a person's skin, the darker that person's skin will be. Sometimes the cells that contain melanin are damaged or over stimulated. When this happens, the affected cells may begin to produce too much, or too little melanin. Too much melanin causes darker spots or patches, while too little causes lighter spots or patches. These lighter or darker spots appear on the surface of the skin, and can be unsightly. Unfortunately, these skin color problems are much more visible and common in people with skin of color.
There are many different conditions that can cause discoloration, but the most common are Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Melasma.
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post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) causes skin darkening and discoloration that show up as spots, or as large patches on a person's body. This is because cells that normally produce brown pigment evenly across your skin go into overdrive and produce too much melanin. This happens because of an inflammatory reaction in, or to an injury to, the skin. If the excess melanin is produced in the upper layer of skin (epidermis), the pigmentation color is a darker shade of brown. If the excess melanin is produced in the lower layer of skin (the dermis), a gray or blue discoloration becomes visible.
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post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
secondary to laser |
Although PIH can occur in all skin types, it is more common in people of Africa, Asia, Latin, and indigenous Indian background, and can affect men and women equally. Areas of the skin affected by PIH correspond with areas of previous inflammation or injury. When dark changes in your skin's color remain after the underlying problem has gone away, you have PIH. The most common causes are injuries such as scratches, burns, cuts, or bruises. Rashes of any type can cause PIH (examples of which include eczema, psoriasis, pityriasis rosea, lichen planus, and fungal infections). Ordinary conditions such as acne or pimples are a very common cause of PIH in individuals with brown skin. PIH can also be caused by injury to the skin resulting from sunburns, surgery or cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, lasers and cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen treatments).
Treatment
If you, or your doctor, suspect that you may have PIH, it is important to search for the underlying cause and treat that cause. For example, when the discoloration is caused by a problem such as acne, the acne must first be eliminated or treated before PIH can effectively be treated. Every time a new pimple develops and then resolves, a new area of PIH will develop. Therefore, it is crucial to minimize all new outbreaks with appropriate medications. Only then can the treatment for the PIH be effective.
It is also important to know that PIH will in many cases fade over time on its own. However, there are treatments available that can speed up the process.
Hydroquinone
For patients with PIH, the most common way to return the skin to its natural glowing complexion is through use of products containing Hydroquinone, a chemical lightening agent that is applied directly to the dark mark. Your dermatologist can determine if hydroquinone is appropriate for your skin. Many dermatologists consider hydroquinone to be the best treatment for PIH. Hydroquinone works by blocking an enzyme that is responsible for the production of the pigment melanin. By blocking the formation of melanin, the dark area will lighten. However, it is important to realize that you may need to use the hydroquinone medication for up to 6 months before clearing of the dark marks is seen.
Hydroquinone products can be purchased over the counter at 1% to 2% concentrations, or by prescription at 3% to 4% concentrations. The prescription products are stronger and hence more effective than the over-the-counter varieties. (see chart below) In either case, the hydroquinone product should be carefully applied to the dark marks—avoiding normal-appearing skin—once or twice a day. One scientific study demonstrated that 80% of individuals who used a 4% hydroquinone product combined with glycolic acid had an improvement in their PIH after 3-months time. Because the lightening agent can sometimes cause other skin conditions, your treatment should not exceed 6 months. There are many varieties of prescription hydroquinone products available for the treatment of PIH. Some of these products are combined with other agents or medications, such as: sunscreen, glycolic acid, retinol, vitamins C and E and tretinoin (Retin A) or cortisone to improve the effects
The Pixel resurfacing Laser is used for advanced cases of hyperpigmentation. It offers a safe and effective strategy for improving hyperpigmentation in people of color wheather you are African American, Hispanic, Asian or Mediterranean background. Read about the Pixel (link) and see before and after treatment photos (link)
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