Pigmentation Treatment

Facial pigmentation is a common presentation in Indian patients, causing cosmetic disfigurement and has a huge psychological impact.
There are different skin tones throughout the world, some are more prone to develop pigmentary disorders commonest being Indian and Asian .

The most common are :

Freckles and lentigines
Dark eye circle
Melasma
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Treatment of most pigmentary disorders includes - photoprotection, topical agents including active pigment reduction medications like retinoic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, kojic acid, glycolic acid, hydroquinone, steroids and physical modalities like chemical peels and lasers.

Freckles :Freckles are small brown spots on the skin. Sun exposure and genetics can cause freckles. This is known to recur, hence adequate sun protection is needed. They respond well to switch lasers and clear in 1-2 sessions.

Melasma :Melasma can occur as brown patches over the face commonly over cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Sunlight, hormones, pregnancy, genetics are the commonest causes and is best treated medically. Procedural treatments like lasers and peels have unpredictable outcome.