Achieve a Clear Complexion with Skin Discoloration Treatments at the Center for Surgical Dermatology
What is Skin Discoloration?
Skin discoloration is a common skin condition characterized by the lightening or darkening of the skin. This condition may show up as a small patch or affect larger areas of the body.
For example, a common form of skin discoloration is small dark spots on locations of the body frequently exposed to sunlight, while a more uncommon form of discoloration is vitiligo, which can show up as large white patches on the trunk of the body.
If you have skin discoloration, it’s important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist, as this may be part of the natural aging process or a sign of a serious underlying condition that needs medication attention.
Skin Discoloration FAQs
Learn more about this common skin concern by reading our dermatologists’ answers to frequently asked questions regarding skin discoloration below, and make sure to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.
Skin discoloration occurs when a certain condition, injury, procedure, or allergic reaction impacts the melanin cells, which are the cells that produce skin pigment, causing the lightening or darkening of the skin.
For many skin discoloration conditions, researchers aren’t quite sure what exactly triggers the change in melanin levels but understand that certain factors can slow down or speed up melanin production, including exposure to UV rays and hormonal changes.
Skin discoloration can show up on any part of the body. However, certain conditions characterized by skin discoloration are more likely to appear in some locations compared to others.
For instance, melasma and sun spots often show up on the face and hands, while vitiligo commonly appears on the face, trunk and extremities.
In a few cases, skin discoloration may go away on its own. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation as a result of rashes, acne, and the like is one such example.
In other cases, treatment is needed to help control the discoloration or help it to fade. For example, melasma is often triggered due to hormonal changes during pregnancy or from being on oral contraceptives. Once you develop melasma, it does not resolve on its own but can significantly improve with therapy. It tends to darken in the spring/summer months and lighten in the fall/winter months. Similarly, vitiligo is an autoimmune condition which typically requires therapy to stimulate re-pigmentation of white patches.
Acne can certainly cause skin discoloration, especially if one has deep, cystic acne that results in scarring. Skin discoloration due to acne scars can be improved at the Center for Surgical Dermatology with our exceptional cosmetic treatments, including chemical peels and laser procedures.
The amount of treatments needed to see results depends on your unique skin care and cosmetic goals. In most cases, a series of treatments is ideal to achieve maximum results and see the biggest changes in the skin. This usually ranges from three to six microneedling treatment sessions spaced two to four weeks apart.
At the Center for Surgical Dermatology, we use various prescription strength and cosmeceutical creams, chemical peels, laser treatments, and microneedling (with or without PRP therapy) to address skin discoloration. To learn more about these treatments and how they improve the skin, read our “Fight the Signs of Aging” post.
Skin Discoloration Photos
Not sure what skin discoloration looks like? View the skin discoloration pictures below to get a better understanding of this common skin concern and how we treat it at the Center for Surgical Dermatology.
Schedule a Skin Discoloration Treatment at the Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates
Address skin discoloration with certified treatments at the Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates. Our board-certified dermatologists provide a variety of treatments based on your individual skin condition and type to help you achieve an improved complexion. To learn more about our skin discoloration treatments in Westerville, request an appointment online or give us a call at (614) 847-4100.
Have questions or concerns? Please give us a call at 614.847.4100.