How to Treat Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation can be caused by a variety of skin conditions. Most cases of hypopigmentation are not serious and can be treated. Then, how to treat hypopigmentation? Before discussing how to treat it, we will first explain what hypopigmentation is and also some of the causes of hypopigmentation.
Hypopigmentation is a condition that causes some skin tones to be lighter than the surrounding skin. Hypopigmentation is caused by a lack of the pigment melanin, the natural substance that gives skin its color. In someone with dark skin, hypopigmentation will appear more clearly. Of course this can trigger a lack of confidence, especially if the hypopigmentation occurs in exposed areas of skin.
Causes of Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation is generally caused by a history of damage to skin tissue, such as skin infections, burns, and abrasions. However, hypopigmentation can also be caused by genetic disorders.
To find out more about the causes of hypopigmentation and its various effects, here is an explanation:
1. Albinism
Albinism is a rare genetic disorder and can cause the non-formation of enzymes that can help produce melanin. Thus, melanin production is limited. An albinist or an albino has less pigmentation on the skin, hair and eyes. This disorder is more common in people who are white.
2. Vitiligo
Vitiligo can cause hypopigmentation. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to pigment-producing cells, resulting in the appearance of fine white patches on the skin. This disorder can last a long time and cause white patches to become enlarged. In some people, these white patches can appear all over the body.
3. Pytiriasis Alba
Pytiriasis Alba is thought to be a form of skin allergy. Hypopigmentation in ptyriasis alba often occurs on the face, but can also occur in the neck, chest, upper arms and back. The appearance of hypopigmentation is often associated with too often sun exposure. Initially, the hypopigmented patches are pink and scaly to pale and white in color.
4. Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is also one of the causes of hypopigmentation. Lichen sclerosus is a skin disorder that often affects the genitals and anus. Lichen sclerosus not only causes white patches to appear on the affected areas of the skin, but it can also make the skin wrinkled, itchy and bleed more easily if scratched. Lichen sclerosus can happen to anyone, but menopausal women are more at risk.
5. Post inflammation
Scars that heal, post inflammation can also be hypopigmented. This can occur in wounds caused by skin diseases or injuries, especially burns, such as scalding, exposed to exhaust, or irritation due to exposure to chemicals.
6. Infection
Infectious processes can also cause hypopigmentation, such as infection with pytiriasis versicolor or commonly known as tinea versicolor and leprosy or what is known as leprosy. The tinea versicolor can occur due to a fungal infection that grows on the surface of the skin and can cause hypopigmented patches. While leprosy can occur due to infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which in the early stages of infection is characterized by numb hypopigmented patches.
How to Treat Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation can be diagnosed by doctors based on the appearance of abnormalities in the skin, starting from its shape, size, location and the nature of the spotting. It is also possible that the doctor will recommend supporting examinations to help diagnose what is the cause of hypopigmentation such as skin scraping tests and laser scans.
Some of the treatments that may be given by the doctor are as follows:
1. Administration of ointment
To overcome hypopigmentation, your doctor may recommend topical medication. For example, in patients with pityriasis alba and lichen sclerosus, an anti-inflammatory cream may be prescribed to moisturize and speed up the healing process.
Meanwhile, hypopigmentation caused by tinea versicolor, may be prescribed an antifungal cream to kill the fungus that lives on the skin so that it gradually returns to normal.
2. Laser therapy
In some cases of hypopigmentation, such as those caused by scars, laser therapy can help restore skin color. That's because, laser therapy can stimulate the production of new skin cells to replace skin cells that have been damaged.
3. Chemical peels
Some cases of hypopigmentation can be treated by chemical peels. This treatment procedure is done by applying a chemical solution to the hypopigmented skin area. With this chemical solution, the skin layer will be exfoliated and replaced with new, healthier skin cells.
Some of the hypopigmentation treatments above cannot be applied to all cases of hypopigmentation because the treatment given for hypopigmentation must be based on the cause. Treatment for leprosy should be with antibiotics and monitored over a long period of time.
Maybe for cases of hypopigmentation caused by vitiligo, the doctor will recommend other treatments such as ultraviolet light therapy, high-strength corticosteroids, or skin grafts if the vitiligo size is too large.
Meanwhile, until now for cases of hypopigmentation experienced by people with albinism, there is still no treatment that can overcome it. However, people who suffer from albinism should always use sunscreen because their skin is more prone to damage and skin cancer as a result of sun exposure.
How to treat hypopigmentation depends on what the cause is because hypopigmentation can be caused by a variety of conditions. So if you have hypopigmented patches on the skin and their size is enlarged so that it interferes with your appearance, then immediately check yourself with a doctor so that you can be diagnosed and can get the right treatment.
