Removal of hyperpigmentation (spots)

What is hyperpigmentation?


Hyperpigmentation represents changes of the skin caused by an improper accumulation of pigmentation (melanin) in different parts of the body, usually the face, arms or cleavage, that is, regions that receive the most sun exposure. Changes affect both women and men of all ethnicities and ages. Although they are most noticeable in the middle-aged and the elderly, nowadays they are becoming increasingly common in younger persons.
 

The cause is believed to be excessive exposure to the sun and tanning booths. Increased production of melanin can also be caused by genetic heritage, aging or hormonal changes, as well as by inflammation of the skin.

 

In our line of work, we usually come across 3 different types of hyperpigmentation:

 

 

  • LENTIGO (age spots, liver spots, solar lentigo) – although most common in the elderly, they are not a direct result of aging, but rather of chronic exposure to UV light.

 

  • POSTINFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION (PIH) – the result of skin injuries, such as acne, psoriasis, burns or similar mechanical or thermal skin injuries.

 

  • MELASMA – the result of hormonal changes in the body, these changes are often seen during or after pregnancy, during hormonal treatment, during menopause or when using oral contraceptives.

 

What is the treatment at Xenia Centar like?

 

After consultation with the doctor, the treatment is performed using the advanced IPL device from the renowned international brand Syneron Candela. In the majority of cases, 2 to 4 treatments are performed, 4 to 6 weeks apart. The results are visible after the first one. During the treatment, the patient may experience a mild tingling sensation, and the treated region becomes red for a short while. During the following two weeks, the pigmentation is reabsorbed by the body and eliminated through the process of shedding the surface layers of the skin. It is important to stay protected from the sun between treatments by using sunscreen and perhaps creams that contain whitening substances (hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid, arbutin) which will be recommended by the doctor depending on the patient’s specific case.