A new observation reported here illustrates that Wood's light can be used to determine the depth of melanin pigmentation in the skin: contrast in epidermal pigmentation is increased while contrast in dermal pigmentation is decreased under Wood's lamp illumination compared to ambient visible light.
PIH can be on the top layer of your skin (epidermal), deeper in your skin (dermal), or both (mixed). This depends on how deep the extra color is in your skin. Doctors can see this with a special lamp or by taking a small piece of skin to look at under a microscope.
MelanoDerm™ test
At the specified time points (eg 3, 7, 10 and 14 days), pigmentation is assessed qualitatively by photographing the surface of the models, and quantitatively by extraction of melanin and comparison to a standard curve.
Based on your skin complexion, these areas can appear brown, tan, pink, gray, black, or even purple. As opposed to a suntan, which comes and goes, hyperpigmentation tends to be more longstanding, although areas may lighten or fade with time and treatment.
Deep Pigmentation - Deep pigmentation is a scientific term used to explain darker patches of skin. These patches result from extra melanin production, which may be due to the acne scars and solar damage to hormone fluctuations.
A colorimeter quantifies the appearance of a color and a spectrophotometer measures the spectral characteristics of the color. Colorimeters and spectrophotometers allow researchers and clinicians to objectively and quantitatively measure skin color without the bias associated with subjective clinical scoring.
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade? Once what's causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years.
The three main types include age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory trauma. Post-inflammatory trauma can result from an injury, sun exposure, or a skin condition, such as acne.
In the case of pigmentation, the melanin production is in balance, leading to an even and natural skin tone. However, with hyperpigmentation, there is an overproduction of melanin in specific areas, resulting in darker patches or spots.
Treating the underlying cause of acanthosis nigricans can make the dark patches of skin fade or even disappear. This can mean stopping any medicine that's causing the problem or treating diabetes and other health conditions. Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade.
Does Hyperpigmentation Get Darker Before It Fades? Yes, sometimes, the body speeds up pigment production before the cells break down and fade. But sometimes, the dark spots can also fade without getting darker first.
A very important consideration patients should be aware of before starting HQ is that the HQ “Bleaching” effects are reversible, therefore, hyper-pigmentation usually returns after discontinued use in 1-2 months. It is also very important to wean off HQ slowly and gradually.
PIH can affect either your epidermis, which is your skin's surface level, or your dermis — a deep layer of your skin.
“Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist in New York City.
Alpha hydroxy acids , especially glycolic acid , are a good starting point for treatment. 6 Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) help speed up the skin's natural exfoliation process, which can help improve the look of PIH. You can find these ingredients in many OTC "brightening" treatments.
A Wood lamp examination enables distinction of epidermal postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) from dermal PIH. Epidermal lesions tend to have accentuated borders under a Wood lamp examination, whereas those of dermal lesions appear poorly circumscribed and are not accentuated with a Wood lamp examination.
Sun exposure can worsen skin hyperpigmentation. Always wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or more even on cloudy days or even if you are at home.
The combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin and a moderate topical steroid has had the best effect on melasma. Other agents that are being studied to improve melasma include: Absorbic acid (vitamin C).