About skin hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a common condition due to an increase in skin pigment (usually melanin). It can be caused by sun exposure, medications, skin inflammation, or hormonal changes.
Skin hyperpigmentation is classified into 3 main groups:
- Benign (harmless) skin tumors that contain pigment
- Malignant (dangerous) skin tumors that contain pigment, including pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or melanoma
- Pigmentary skin conditions, such as age spots or melasma
Hyperpigmentation conditions treated
The Center for Aesthetic Medicine cares for the following skin conditions:
- Melasma - Melasma is hyperpigmentation that appears on the forehead, nose, and upper cheeks and primarily afflicts women. Nicknamed the pregnancy mask, melasma is linked mostly to hormonal changes, as well as to sun exposure and certain medications. Melasma is categorized by pigment depth: epidermal, dermal or compound, which involves both upper and lower skin layers.
The most effective melasma treatment is a combination of local preparations and laser therapy. Treatment at the Center for Aesthetic Medicine is personalized for each patient based on the type of melasma, shade and skin type, taking into consideration experience with previous treatments. - Solar lentigo: age spots or liver spots - Age spots are flat with clearly defined edges that are light to dark brown. This condition appears primarily in skin areas that are exposed to the sun (face and back of the hands ). It is caused by an increase in melanin in the epidermis skin cells called keratinocytes. Most of the time, age spots appear along with additional signs of skin aging, such as a decrease in skin elasticity and the appearance of broken capillaries.
Laser therapy breaks the pigment into smaller particles that the body clears away naturally. The treatment affects only the skin spots themselves; it does not treat proliferating broken capillaries or rejuvenate the surrounding skin. To achieve the best results for numerous age spots accompanied by broken capillaries or wrinkles, the Center for Aesthetic Medicine integrates several types of laser treatments. - Poikiloderma of Civatte - Poikiloderma of Civatte is a dermatological condition, more prevalent in women, that presents with reddish brown discoloration on the chest cleavage and sides of the neck. It is characterized by small blood vessel dilatation, excess, or absence of pigment, and atrophy of the skin (decreases in collagen fibers and dermis layer elasticity). The condition is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment can improve skin appearance dramatically because it affects both the blood vessels and the pigmentary components. At times, IPL is supplemented by other treatments to help optimize results.
IPL is an effective treatment for treating dark age spots and/or freckles in patients of all ages. IPL treatment, also known as photorejuvenation, heats up the deep skin layers, eliminating old skin tissue and stimulating the development of new, healthy, refreshed tissue. This treatment is used on the face, neck, hands, and chest.
The Center for Aesthetic Medicine uses the most advanced IPL equipment, helping produce the best results in the least number of treatment sessions. The recommended number of treatments for most patients is 1-3 in a 6-12 month period.
Diagnosis is essential
It is important to highlight that atypical pigmentary disorders require a dermoscopic exam, and at times, a biopsy to rule out a malignant condition. The Center for Aesthetic Medicine works in partnership with Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center’s Integrated Cancer Prevention Center for prevention and early detection of skin cancer.
For more information, contact us at telephone: +972-3-697-3585.
