All About Pigmentation

To better understand pigmentation issues, we need to know how these pigments are produced. ​

Pigments is also known as melanin and is produced by cells called melanocytes that reside at the basement membrane which is just between the superficial skin (epidermis) and the deep skin (dermis). ​

​Melanin is deposited to surrounding skin cells and gives the skin the characteristic darkening. This is more prominent in Asians than Caucasians, who have whiter skin. These pigments - melanin, serve to absorb the UV rays and reduce the oxidative stress damage that UV causes to skin cells. As a result, with more exposure to sunlight, we get a darker skin tone, a term we know as tanning.

Common Conditions

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All conditions are divided into two main groups, where the main trigger is due to areas where the melanocytes (pigment producing cells) are overactive. These pigments are either deposited superficially in the epidermis (such as freckles or lentigines), or deeper down in the dermis (such as Naevus of Ota).

Treatment Options

1) Sunblock - mainstay of therapy! Remember to apply even when it is a cloudy day as most of the UVA is still present! Always consider to reapply as it only lasts a limited period of time depending on your skin condition - 80 mins (dry) / 40 mins (wet)! 
2) Sun avoidance - usage of umbrellas aid to decrease the total amount of UV rays your skin is exposed to!
3) Anti-pigmentary creams - make sure to look for good stuff such as Kojic Acid / Azelaic acid which are excellent in blocking the enzyme involved in synthesis of melanin!
4) Chemical peels help for superficial skin pigments.
5) Lasers can target both superficial (532nm laser) and deeper pigments (1064nm laser).
*Ask your doctor with regards to treatments (4) & (5).