Hyperpigmentation may have different manifestations: - Freckles may appear as early as childhood and are most often seen in fair skinned people, especially those with red hair in such sun exposed areas as face, forearm and back side of the hands. There are also some inherited characteristics that sometimes affect darker skin types as well. Freckles become darker in summer time and lighter in winter. Freckles are caused by very intensive melanin synthesis while the amount of melanocytes remains normal.
- So called “Sunspots” occur as a result of cumulative sun damage over many years. They appear as small, dark patches that are commonly seen on the back of the hands, legs and face or other areas that are exposed to the sun. They are also caused by excessive production of melanin but in contrast to freckles, they persist for long periods of time and do not fade in the winter months. It is very important to distinguish the harmless solar sunspot from early melanoma.
- Age spots or liver spots commonly appear in adults after the age of 40 on the body parts exposed to the sun. They vary in size and usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Their number may increase with age. They are caused by the increasing number of dermal melanocytes.
- Hormonal spots: Pregnancy, for example, can trigger overproduction of melanin that causes the "mask of pregnancy" on the face (forehead, temples, upper lip and chin), darkened skin on the abdomen and other areas related to pregnancy hormones, and usually disappears after a woman gives birth. Women who take birth control pills may also develop hyperpigmentation because their bodies undergo similar kinds of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
- Hyperpigmentation (photoallergy) can be caused by various chemicals like pills that induce high photosensitivity (barbiturates), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin A acid, sulfonamides, antibiotics, hypnagogic (sedatives, sleeping pills) etc.
This type of pigmentation is caused by melanin concentration in the superficial dermal layers.
Treatments for hyperpigmentation
Above listed pigmentation types are commonly resulted by some internal disorders. That is why prior to any pigment lesion treatment procedure it is necessary to consider preoperative consultation with your gynecologist and endocrinologist; sonography (ultrasound) diagnostics of internal organs as well as laboratory blood tests need to be taken. Most common methods of lesion removal generally combine chemical, laser peeling and micro- dermabrasion.
However the most effective and minimally traumatic way of pigmentation treatment is done by ruby laser DеТа2Star (Asclepion Laser Technologies GmbH, Germany) at 694nm.
The laser is designed to target and destruct pulse-width–dependent dermal melanin. After the treatment course the pigmented area becomes lighter or cleared completely due to the intradermal absorption of the laser energy by melanin-rich melanosomes.
While providing its selectivity effect ruby laser is able to differentiate and choose to target melanine and not be absorbed by coetaneous chromophores like protein, hemoglobin and water.
To protect against excess sun exposure, sunscreen products such as gels, creams and lotions should be used during the hot summer season. The laser treatment itself feels like numerous little pinpricks and very slight burning. Most patients do not require anesthesia during the procedure. Topical or local anesthesia is provided for those who do. Immediate after-effects, if any, are minor. They may include redness, light crusting, or tenderness, all of which disappear in 2 – 4 days.
Ruby laser DеТа2Star can be used to remove both epidermal and dermal pigmented spots. The number of treatments may vary from 1 to 3 with 3 – 4 weeks intervals.
Laser treatments at the Ukrainian Institute of Plastic and Aesthetic surgery VIRTUS is performed by a highly qualified team of dermatologists. With our many years of practical experience in treating these types of skin lesions combined with the most up-to-date techniques and modern equipment we’ve been able to help a great number of people with skin pigmentation disorders. All we need to resolve your problem is your wish and your trust, leave the rest for us. 
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