Everyone has his/her own skin type and complexion, unique and beautiful in many different ways. The skin differentiates people but also makes them unified. The skin is surely important, and it’s something you should always appreciate and love.
Sadly, because of many factors such as lifestyle, genes, body changes, and environmental factors, the skin may face some challenges that need attention because some might be simple, but some might be serious or become worse. Skin pigmentation is one of the many possible struggles, and under it are more specific kinds that need important notice.
Skin pigmentation problems are those visible irregularities you see on the skin that affect skin color. When damage occurs on the special cells that produce melanin for the skin, skin pigmentation problems get high chances of showing up. If you’re wondering what skin issues they are, below is a list you should look into. It’s about 5 kinds of skin pigmentation conditions, important for you to know and understand. Here they are:
#1: FRECKLES
Too much sun exposure is not really good for the skin’s health because it can present many problems, and one of the most common is freckles. These are flat, brown or tan spots that look darker when it’s sunny.
Freckles are more visible if you have fair skin complexion, but they can develop on any type of skin. Their main causes are extended sun exposure, UV radiation, and excess melanin production. Even sunburns can lead to freckles. Genetics also have something to do with freckle development on your skin.
The worst thing that freckles can grow into is skin cancer, but chances are rare. Most freckles are harmless. There are treatments available for the lightning and removal of those annoying freckles.
#2: MELASMA
Usually appearing on the face, melasma is associated with large brown patches. It can also appear on the neck and forehead. This discoloration happens more on the deeper areas of the skin, and women and people dwelling in tropical countries are more prone to this. Chief causes of melasma aren’t known yet, however, hormonal changes are the usual ones.
Melasma can worsen with exposure to UV radiation and also some medications with which your skin might react differently and negatively. Stress, which is commonly known today as a root of many illnesses, can also make melasma even more problematic.
Wearing sun protection such as sunscreen and secure clothes help treat melasma and lessen its effects. You might also be advised by your doctor to halt using certain medications which might be leading to melasma or to the growth of it.
#3: KERATOSIS
Keratosis pilaris is a skin pigmentation condition resulting from the build-up of keratin. Keratin is the hard protein responsible for the protection of the skin against substances that might damage its health and lead to serious infections. The keratin build-up has no explanation yet, but when that happens, the opening of the hair follicles get obstructed by a scaly plug that results in bumpy and rough skin patches.
Diseases involving the genes and other skin conditions can happen with keratosis. Keratosis’ usual areas of appearance include the buttocks and the upper arms. If your skin is dry, keratosis might get even more serious. The bumpy patches, however, are not painless.
Unfortunately, keratosis can neither be cured nor be treated. The effects can just be reduced Also, skin enhancers such as moisturizers and those medically proven, tested and advised to you can be used for improvement and healthier feel.
#4: BROKEN CAPILLARIES
The small blood vessels that link veins and arteries are called capillaries. The often affected skin areas include the nose and the cheeks. They appear as small web-like veins in colors red, pink or blue and are found above the skin’s surface.
Capillaries get broken when the widening and the narrowing of the walls occur rapidly, resulting to tearing down of the walls and leaking out of blood. When there are broken capillaries, there’s aging, thinner skin, lack of skin’s collagen and lack of skin’s healthiness.
Bad skin habits can lead to capillaries getting damaged and broken. Being too forceful when it comes to touching your skin and pressing it and taking hot baths can have an effect on those capillaries.
Collagen is good for the body as it helps develop elasticity and firmness. Without it, the skin can become more susceptible to broken capillaries.
Removal of this skin pigmentation condition can be through therapies such as sclerotherapy and laser therapy. There are also personal care techniques which will help you such as applying essential oils and eating vegetables.
#5: SOLAR LENTIGINES
The term might be unfamiliar, but the image is somehow common because many people have this, most especially people aged above 40. It’s usually seen on older people. These dark skin patches are called Solar Lentigines or also known simply as sun spots, liver spots or senile lentigo.
In any area of the body, they can become visible. Again, exposure to UV rays from the sun lead to it. Also the degree of the darkening is dependent on the length and amount of exposure.
Solar lentigines must be paid attention to because they might become skin cancer. Going to yearly consultations and check-ups with a genuine skin expert is helpful for you to monitor your skin if you have or if you’re prone to having solar lentigines.
SKIN PIGMENTATION
Many skin pigmentation conditions can happen to your skin, especially if it’s not well taken care of. The above-mentioned are only some of them and also the common ones. As you’ve seen and as everybody knows, too much exposure to sun’s light and heat is unhealthy for the skin, and harmful rays from it usually worsen or lead to these skin pigmentation conditions.
Make sure that if you have one or more of these conditions, you immediately visit your skincare doctor, so that you’ll be given proper treatment recommendations and medicines.
They are all skin pigmentation issues, and they have different treatments for each also. Be certain to be informed and to get the best prescriptions from reliable skin centers and clinics.
AUTHOR BIO:
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Travel, health, shopping, lifestyle and business are among the many subjects she writes about. Through quality and well-researched writing, she informs and even entertains readers about things that matter. She is also interested in film critiquing and filmmaking. Giving all the glory to God, Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.