Skin pigmentation is common as we age – we develop sun spots, freckles, and other harmless discolorations. However, some skin pigmentation spots may not be as innocent as they look. In some cases, changes in your skin pigmentation may be a tell-tale sign of a disease that requires immediate medical attention.
In this post, we tackle various types of skin discolorations and the signs you shouldn’t ignore. We also discuss potential treatment options, some of which are available in our skin and beauty center.
Common types of skin pigmentation changes
To be clear, just because you have unusual skin discoloration doesn’t mean you already have to worry. Most types of skin pigment changes are harmless, such as the following:
- Hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation happens when there’s too much melanin production on your skin, such as melasma and sunspots. It also includes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) due to eczema flare-ups, acne breakouts, or trauma.
- Hypopigmentation. The opposite of hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation occurs when parts of your skin become lighter due to reduced melanin production. This includes conditions like vitiligo and pityriasis alba in children.
- Freckles. Freckles, also known as ephelides, are small, flat, brown spots that darken when exposed to prolonged sunlight. This is very common among fair-skinned individuals and can also run in the family.
- Moles. Moles or nevi (singular: nevus) are benign pigmented lesions that can be raised or flat. Its color may vary from pink to dark brown, and it’s crucial to monitor its appearance as it can turn cancerous in some cases.
- Café-au-lait spots. Café-au-Lait spots are skin pigmentation spots that are typically light to medium brown with smooth edges. It can be present at birth or develop later in your life. Like moles, café-au-Lait spots should be monitored as they can also develop into a serious condition.
- Tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is a skin pigmentation disease caused by a fungal infection. It’s non-contagious and may appear as small patches or light or dark spots, mostly on the back, chest, and shoulders.
When should I be worried about skin pigmentation?
1. Sudden appearance of new spots
While acquiring new spots isn’t inherently alarming, the sudden appearance of new pigments or patches should be a cause for concern. This is especially true if there’s no obvious reason for it to happen, like when you spent too much time under the sun or sustained injuries.
The rapid onset of pigmentation could be a sign of an infection. Although rare, it may also be an initial sign of skin cancer. In this case, it is recommended that you consult a licensed physician for a proper diagnosis.
2. Changes in size, shape, and color
Do you have a mole that suddenly grows bigger out of nowhere? Or do any of your existing spots start to change colors or shape? If yes, you should consider consulting a dermatologist as these could be early signs of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
Take note that changes in your pigmentation’s size, shape, and color can also be hormonal in nature. Other factors, such as sun exposure, irritation, or benign growths, can also be possible culprits.
3. Irregular borders and multiple colors
Any pigmentation with blurred, jagged, or irregular edges is suspicious, and it should be checked immediately. This appearance is often associated with malignancy, although proper testing is needed to confirm if it’s truly a cause for concern.
Aside from that, you should also keep an eye on pigmentations that are starting to develop multiple colors. For example, a single spot with different shades of black, brown, white, or red might suggest abnormal cell growth. Take note that normal moles are stable and have a single color.
4. Changing from symmetrical to asymmetrical
If you have a mole or present pigmentation that’s starting to look asymmetrical, you should consider getting a professional skin evaluation. The change from symmetrical to asymmetrical can be a sign of abnormal skin growth.
This is especially true if the shape change is accompanied by color and border changes.
5. Multiple café-au-Lait spots
Café-au-lait (CAL) spots are flat, pigmented patches that may appear at birth or later in life. One or two isolated CALs are typically harmless, but having six or more should prompt a medical check.
To be specific, if you have six or more café-au-lait spots larger than 1.5 cm (or 0.5 cm in children), you should consider being checked for genetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
NF1 is a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on a person’s nerve tissue on the skin, spinal cord, and brain. These tumors are usually benign but can still trigger a slew of symptoms.
6. Pigmentation changes accompanied by other symptoms
If other symptoms accompany your skin’s pigment changes, you should consult a medical professional for possible diseases.
For example, darkening of the skin with unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and weakness could point to Addison’s Disease. Meanwhile, yellowish discoloration could be an early sign of liver disease.
The only way to determine if you have a medical condition is to undergo blood tests and further evaluation from a licensed medical professional.
Skin pigmentation treatment options
1. Topical treatments
Topical treatments, such as skin pigmentation creams, lotions, and gels, can help lighten mild hyperpigmentation. It reduces melanin production and increases skin cell turnover to even out your skin tone.
These topical pigmentation treatments contain retinoids, hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and natural acids. These substances help reduce the appearance of melasma, sunspots, and acne-related pigmentations.
However, topical treatments only offer mild effects, and you need to use them for weeks to months to see substantial results.
2. Chemical peels
Chemical peels work by stripping the upper thin layer of your skin through controlled exfoliation. It then reveals a healthier and younger skin layer that helps even out dark spots, patches, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Take note that chemical peels are available in three types: superficial, medium, and deep.
Superficial and medium peels are ideal for freckles, minor sun damage, and melasma. However, if you have dermal melasma or scar-related pigmentation, you should consider deep peels. Just note that deep peels aren’t ideal for dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI) as they can cause permanent color changes.
3. Laser treatment
Laser treatments, such as Q-switched lasers and fractional lasers, are effective in treating various pigmentations, including melasma, sunspots, freckles, café-au-Lait spots, PIH, and Nevus of Ota.
Take note that laser treatments are best if you have surface-level pigmentation issues. You also need at least 3 to 6 laser sessions to see substantial results. For extensive pigmentation issues, you may need more sessions to achieve your desired results.
4. Oral medications
When topical treatments and other methods don’t work, oral medications can be the next best solution for your skin pigmentation issues. Take note that you should always seek medical supervision when taking any oral medications to ensure their safety and efficacy.
For example, oral tranexamic acid is used to reduce melasma and control melanin production. Others also use natural extracts, such as Polypodium leucotomos, to treat UV damage.
Some also use oral glutathione for its skin lightening effect. But before trying glutathione, make sure you consult a medical professional first to ensure that you’re an ideal candidate for the treatment.
5. Treatment of underlying causes
Skin pigmentation changes due to underlying medical conditions can only be treated by addressing the root cause. Otherwise, the pigmentation will persist or even worsen.
This includes pigmentation changes brought by hormonal imbalances, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and autoimmune diseases, among others. We always recommend consulting a licensed physician to determine the best treatment for your specific condition before considering the solutions we’ve discussed above.
Noticing unusual skin spots? Let our skin specialists check it for you!
If you have melasma, sunspots, and an uneven skin tone, you can book a consultation with our skin specialist. We can check the pigmentation changes on your skin and see which treatment suits you best.
Based on our evaluation, we can recommend our beauty center treatments or suggest that you consult a licensed dermatologist or physician for further guidance. Whether your pigmentation changes are harmless or a cause of concern, it’s always best to get them checked for your peace of mind.
Do you have more questions? Or do you want to book our skin and beauty center treatments? Contact us at Pure Skin Laser Center today!
