Description

DISORDERS OF PIGMENTATION Freckles: These are small, flat round lesions, which occur in the lighter skin types. They tend to turn darker in summer and lighter in winter. Causative factors are genetics and sun exposure. Treatment: Various peels like glycolic and TCA help in lightening freckles. For more stubborn variety light systems like the IPL and lasers like the Q switched NdYag and KTP can be used. Minimal sun exposure, sunscreen and skin brightening and lightening cosmeceuticals will help to keep the pigment at bay. Solar Lentigines: These are flat pigmented 1to 3cm lesions present mainly on sun exposed areas. They start to appear in the third decade of life. Treatment: Everyday use of sunscreen is an absolute must. TCA peels, Intense Pulsed Light systems and lasers such as KTP and Q Switched NdYag can remove them completely. Melasma: Is a stubborn pigmentation seen mainly in women. Occasionally, men too get affected by this condition. It is characterized by a patchy tan or brown discoloration that occurs over the upper lip, cheeks, forehead, chin and bridge of the nose. The areas affected are bilateral and frequently symmetrical. The majority of cases are due to sun exposure, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, oral contraceptive pills and familial predisposition. Treatment: Melasma is a stubborn condition and requires multiple sessions of treatments. Often 2 or more treatments are combined to give better results. Epidermal melasma (superficial) responds better and faster to treatment. Sunscreens form the most essential part of treatment of melasma. A variety of depigmenting agents such as Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Glycolic acid, Retinoic acid etc can aid in the treatment of melasma. In addition to this, superficial peels such as Glycolic acid peels and Salicylic acid peels; moderately deep peels such as 50% glycolic acid and TCA, as well as deeper peels such as Cosmelan can be used to treat melasma.