Complete Guide to Moles

Irregular pigmentation is an extremely common skin condition that is characterized by patches of skin that appear darker or discolored compared to surrounding skin. 

Most irregular pigmentation is caused by hyperpigmentation, a concentration of darker patches of skin that typically occur on the face and other parts of the body that are commonly exposed to sunlight. 

Inflammatory pigmentation issues can be caused by conditions like acne or eczema.

Despite posing no health risks, pigmentation issues can cause an individual to be self-conscious or have low self-esteem. 

Different Types of Pigmentation Issues

Irregular pigmentation can be caused by a number of skin conditions:

Birthmarks

A birthmark is a darkened or raised patch of skin that appears on an infant's body soon after he or she is born. 

Most birthmarks pose no health risks and do not cause serious cosmetic concerns as a child grows.  However, some birthmarks, like Nevus of Ota, Mongolian Spots, Congential Melanocytic Nevi, and Cafe-Au-Lait spots can pose potential health risks. 

Vascular Birthmarks, like macular stains, are light red marks that develop soon after birth and typically appear on a child's face. They may darken when a baby or child is upset or crying. These birthmarks are typically mild and pose no health threat. 

Hemangiomas, another type of vascular birthmark, is characterized by a rubbery, bright-red bump or collection of bumps that appears on a baby's skin a few months after birth. Hemangiomas are made of extra blood vessels, and typically appear on a baby's head, face, chest or back. Treatment for these birthmarks is not typically necessary, as most hemangiomas fade considerably during the first years of life and disappear completely by the time a child is 10 years old.  Hemangiomas that obstruct a child's eyes or mouth may need to be surgically removed. 

Melasma

Melasma, also known as the "Mask of Pregnancy" is a pigmentation disorder that causes dark patches of skin to appear, typically on the face, neck, or chest. Although it is common in pregnant women, the condition can occur in both men and women of any age. 

Statistically, melasma is more likely to occur in people with naturally darker skin, as their skin already has an abundance of pigment-producing cells. Melasma patches are similar in appearance to freckles, but are usually much larger and may cover whole areas of the face, neck or chest. 

Melasma is often called the "Mask of Pregnancy" because the condition can be triggered by the hormones associated with the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Most pregnancy-induced melasma fades in the first few months after childbirth. 

Exposure to sunlight may also cause melasma spots to appear. Typically, these spots fade after a person has not been exposed to sunlight for a period of time. Some melasma patches do not fade, however, and may cause the skin to look uneven. The patches may darken when the skin is exposed to the sun. 

While melasma is harmless and doesn't pose health risks, it can cause serious cosmetic concerns.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by loss of pigment cells in certain areas of the skin. These pigment cells may become damaged and stop working properly or may simply die off.  Over time, patches of vitiligo may grow and connect to other patches, causing large swathes of skin that have no pigment. 

While vitiligo occurs in equally in both men and women and in all races, it is more noticeable in people who have naturally dark skin. 

The condition does not pose serious health risks, but can cause major cosmetic concerns, self-esteem issues and psychological distress. 

Treatments for irregular skin pigmentation include:

• Lightening creams - Over-the-counter lightening creams can help fade dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation over time. 
• Prescription lightening creams - If your hyperpigmentation doesn't respond to OTC treatments, your skincare professionals can prescribe stronger treatments.
• Facial acids - Acids applied to the skin of the face can help exfoliate the top layer of skin. Common acids used in facial products include alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic, lactic and malic acids. Salicylic acid and Vitamin C are also used in facial peels to help brighten and exfoliate the skin.
• Retinoids - Retinoids are a family of compounds that are derived from vitamin A, and are one of the only clinically proven ways to help skin look younger. Retinoids are also valuable in fighting acne and reducing hyperpigmentation by increasing cell turnover and reducing epidermal melanin. Retinoids can be bought in lighter concentrations over the counter, but most retinoids can only be acquired through a prescription. 
• Chemical peels - Chemical peels can help lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation by removing the outermost layer of skin and stimulating the growth of new skin underneath. Chemical peels can be light, medium or deep. A light chemical peel removes only the top layer of skin. Patients may need multiple light peels to address dark pigmentation on the face, but the recovery time is short. Medium and deep peels remove deeper layers of skin and deliver more immediate results. However, these peels take longer to recover from and present more potential risks. 
• Light therapy - LED light therapy can help reduce the incidence of hyperpigmentation, especially after sun exposure.
• Laser therapy - Laser therapy is an expensive treatment, often reserved for the most severe forms of hyperpigmentation or melasma.