Treatments for Dyschromia

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Ever notice a discoloration in patches of your skin? It could be dyschromia. Treatments at Orlando's Associates in Dermatology can help erase this hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation of the skin that's caused by any of multiple factors, including pregnancy, hormonal changes or a fungal infection.

Overview

Dyschromia is a condition marked by an alteration of color on the skin, hair or nails. The color of the skin is dependent on how many melanocytes a person has. Hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation are used to describe light or dark patches on the skin. Melasma is often a diagnosis of dark patches, whereas Vitiligo typically is a diagnosis of light patches.

Signs and Symptoms

Dyschromia presents as single or multiple light or dark patches on the skin. Physical symptoms generally do not occur with dyschromia, though in certain cases patients may experience itching.

Dyschromia Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is made by clinical examination and patient history. Hypopigmentation such as vitiligo can start as one patch and grow into multiple patches or even whole areas of light skin, sometimes affecting the whole body. Light patches on the skin could also be part of eczema (pityriasis alba) or a fungal infection (tinea versicolor). Each condition has different dyschromia treatments so an Orlando Associates in Dermatology examination is necessary.

Hyperpigmentation can be triggered by hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and birth control pills, and can fade without treatment. However, dyschromia patients choosing treatment have several options including topical creams such as hydroquinone (to lighten skin tone) and tretinoin or steroid creams (to enhance skin lightening). Procedures for melasma include chemical peels such as TCA peels administered by our paramedical esthetician, and laser treatments administered either as an addition to your personalized skin care regimen or as an alternative based on your visit with the provider. Chemical peels or laser treatments are not covered by medical insurance. So, Associates in Dermatology in Orlando offers many different payment options.

In conjunction with the treatment options recommended at Associates in Dermatology, you also can use STEPPIE MD In The Light Intensive Skin Brightener to target UV damage and visibly fade away pigmentation spots. This potent skin brightener powerfully helps inhibit melanin production while promoting a more even and flawless skin tone. 
To assure maximum potency, this formula is freshly mixed upon purchase. A stable and intensive dose of arbutin reactivated with a sugar molecule converts into a therapeutically equivalent potency of 4% Hydroquinone. In addition, it also contains a high, 4% dose of kojic acid and 6% vitamin C. These ingredients all act in synergy with other natural skin brighteners and protective antioxidants that further help fortify the skin’s cellular matrix and repair UV and free radical damage. It also contains Salicylic, Lactic & Citric acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and speed up skin cell production and renewal for quicker results.

Follow up and Outcomes

For prevention and daily maintenance of dyschromia, treatment should involve proper sun protection. We recommend using a sunscreen, which provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays with no chemical sun fillers, such as the STEPPIE MD Infinity UV Defense SPF 50 Tube. It contains the FDA approved physical blocker Zinc Oxide to reflect light away from the skin.

Both of these products are sold in all of our locations, yet your healthcare provider might eventually recommend other skin brightening options best suited for your specific needs, so schedule a consultation today at 800 827 7546.