Discolored skin and uneven skin pigmentation are often the result of excessive sun exposure. Skin discoloration can also be caused by sun exposure, hormonal changes triggered by pregnancy as well as by stress, prescription medications, and topical skin treatments. Individuals who develop unusual skin discoloration should consult with cosmetic surgeon Dr. Robert Schwarcz to determine the cause. It is critical to rule out melanoma, skin cancers and other potential dangerous skin conditions.
Types of Skin Discoloration
The following are a few of the most common types of skin discolorations.
Freckles are small brown spots that become more prominent after spending time in the sun. The spots typically measure less than one-half a centimeter in diameter.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is characterized by dark spots that develop at the site of a bug bite, pimple, or other inflammatory injury to the skin.
An uneven skin tone involves large areas of skin that vary dramatically in pigmentation.
Treatment for Uneven Skin Pigmentation
A cosmetic treatment known as intense pulsed light therapy is a non-ablative and non-invasive method of evening out your skin tone and improving the appearance of areas of hyperpigmentation. The procedure can be used to treat port wine stains and other vascular lesions, rosacea, spider veins, freckles, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark facial hair. Intense pulsed light therapy can also be used to treat stretch marks and acne scars.
How Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Works
Laser therapy directs light energy to specific skin cells called chromophores. The cells are heated and damaged, which decreases the amount of pigment in the area. The body’s natural healing process also stimulates the production of collagen in the area, which plumps the skin and evens out wrinkles. Most pulsed light lasers have filters and settings that provide various wavelengths of light. This allows the doctor to refine the treatment based on the patient’s condition and the area to be treated.
Advantages of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Intense pulsed light therapy does not damage the outer layer of skin called the epidermis, so there is minimal downtime. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure. Contact our office to schedule your appointment with Dr. Schwarcz, a board-certified oculoplastic cosmetic surgeon if you have skin discoloration and uneven pigmentation and want to correct it.