Pigmentation Issues

Skin discoloration and spots are a major problem for many people and may be related to genetics, sun damage, or hormones. Genetic spots are often deep in the dermis and require procedures and topical treatment for removal. Examples of dermal pigmentation include Nevus of Ota, Nevus of Huri, and dermal melanosis. Dermal pigmentation is common in some ethnicities and rarely seen in others.

Discoloration caused by the sun can appear as small round spots, or large patches of discoloration, which are occasionally accompanied by broken veins in the affected area. Examples of discoloration from the sun include freckles or Lentigo solaris. Discoloration from the sun is usually seen on sun-exposed areas of skin, such as the face, arms, neck, chest, and legs.

Hormonal pigmentation, called melasma, often occurs in women who possess a genetic predisposition to the condition. Melasma can be a progressive, long-term problem for some and there is no cure. However, melasma can be treated, and pigmentation resolved, but there is always the chance that the pigmentation may return. Melasma is treated topically, with superficial melasma responding well to creams and disappearing, as compared to deep melasma, which requires procedures for treatment. Procedures used by Dr, Obagi to treat melasma include the Obagi Blue Peel®, Fraxel® laser, use of a pigment laser, or a combination of procedures.

I effectively treat melasma with my Nu-Derm® system and recommend when treating melasma, you treat the entire affected area, not just the dark spots. For maximum efficacy, extra cream should be applied on all dark spots. It is best for the skin to exfoliate...