Skip to main content

Hyperpigmentation Treatment Advice from a Dermatologist

According to Mario Bedescu Skin Care Inc, hyperpigmentation is characterized by darkening of the skin caused by the overproduction of the skin pigment, melanin. While hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, it can be a blow to your self-confidence, especially if you're a woman who has otherwise healthy and well-maintained skin. The condition can affect any part of the body including the face, hands and neck--and it's most prevalent in people of color, who naturally have more melanin.

Dr. Julia Tzu
What are some common causes hyperpigmentation?

  • Heredity
  • Overexposure to the sun
  • Inflammation and skin injuries
  • Hormonal changes due to pregnancy (called melasma) or menopause
  • Medications such as antibiotics, hormone treatments and anti-seizure drugs

Treatment options

Dr. Julia Tzu, founder and medical director of Wall Street Dermatology in New York City says her recommended course of treatment for hyperpigmentation depends on the cause.

"Common reasons for hyperpigmentation include melasma (patches of brown on the cheeks and forehead), sun spots, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (pigmentation that is left after a bout of skin inflammation, such as a rash or acne)," Dr. Tzu explains. 

"For these common types of hyperpigmentation, there are two main options: topical lightening agents or lasers.  Topical lightening agents include products that contain hydroquinone (bleaching cream), azaleic acid, kojic acid, and vitamin C.  These need to be applied for a duration of time before any noticeable improvement occurs.  Chemical peels can also produce some improvement in hyperpigmentation."

The double board-certified dermatologist says, however, "lasers are a much more effective way to selectively target only the darker areas of skin."

Dr. Tzu uses Q switched lasers to eliminate cells with excess pigment. "One treatment produces immediate lightening (in one week) in exactly the desired areas, although multiple treatments may be required depending on the level of hyper pigmentation," she says.

For African-American clients, whose skin can be extremely sensitive to laser treatment, Dr. Tzu still uses Q switched lasers, but "at the right wavelength and different parameters." 

Stay tuned for Everything She Wants' top product picks for skin brightening and 
hyperpigmentation, including the highly-effective Dr. Murad's Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum, which contains hydroquinone. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Conway Discount Clothing Chain Closing in New York City

(Tracy E. Hopkins) It's the end of a budget shopping era. Conway discount stores are closing in New York City . As of this weekend, a sign on the sole Herald Square location (34th Street btwn 7th and 8th Ave) says the store will close in "7 Days." Before I relocated to the Big Apple, I was introduced to the discount chain while on a bus trip from Baltimore.  I recall the first time I saw Conway's signature pink bags carried by hurried shoppers in midtown. And Miss Foster, the trip organizer and a bargain hunter from way back, took me to the store for the first time. Conway store in the Fulton Mall./Tracy E. Hopkins When I moved here in 1994, my love affair with Conway continued.  I furnished my first apartment with discount knick-knacks and home goods from the store.  And much to my chagrin, in hindsight, I curated most of my wardrobe for my first full-time job from the long-shuttered 42nd Street and Third Avenue store. One regretful ensemble: Lime green and...
Post a Comment
Read more

Enter to Win a $219 Handkerchief Top from SA VA!

Three lucky Everything She Wants' readers will win a feminine, flirty "Indy" handkerchief top from SA VA in Philadelphia .  Voted by Philadelphia Magazine as the city's best new boutique, SA VA is one of my favorite places to shop whenever I'm in Philly.   Owner and designer Sarah Van Aken stocks the cool, two-floor shop with garments that are "locally made, globally inspired, socially conscious, and community based." Indy top by SA VA The store near Rittenhouse Square recently launched its online store, Shop by Ethiquette.   Click here to learn more information about the SA VA Indy top (a $219 value) .  It's a great transition piece that can be worn under a blazer or cardigan. To enter: 1. Leave a comment below with your name and email address that says "I want this top!"  Also, let me know if you've followed the next three steps for extra entries. 2. Want a second entry? Follow @SA VA on Twitter, tweet the conte...
66 comments
Read more

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Graces Brooklyn Academy of Music, June 4-9, 2024

Dance is expression. Dance is spiritual. Dance is activism. Dance is life. I feel most alive when I am listening to music and dancing.  As a spectator and fan, some of my fondest moments of watching dance performances have been witnessing the dignity and grace of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Every time I see the Ailey company, I am inspired, moved, and grounded in the beauty and complexity of the African American experience.  Photo by Paul Kolnik For me, the highlight is always "Revelations," Mr. Ailey's three-part ode to his upbringing in the Black Baptist church. The three sections -- "Pilgrim of Sorrow"; "Take Me to the Water"; and "Move, Members, Move" -- tell the story of African American faith and persistence from slavery to freedom. Over the weekend,  I had the pleasure of taking an outdoor Community Workshop in downtown Brooklyn, where we learned some of the choreography for "Revelations." I beamed from ear to ear...
Post a Comment
Read more