If you need to treat your pigmentation problem, treatment begins by identifying the cause. Your skin can react to cosmetics and creams that you apply. If this is the case immediately discontinue the use of the cosmetic and replace it with a product that does not irritate your skin. Pigmentation on the face may also be due to an allergic reaction to antibiotics. In this case, ask your doctor to change the medicine or wait till your course of medicine is over then treat your skin condition. If you have facial pigmentation due to overexposure to the sun, avoid exposure to the sun, as this will exacerbate the condition. Avoid being outside during ten am and three pm, when the sun’s UV rays are most powerful. If you do go out during the day wear a hat. Start using an SPF 30 plus UVA/UVB sunblock on your face every day. After removing the cause of your pigmentation, you will have finished the first part of effective treatment.
Exfoliating the outer layer of the skin can be an effective treatment of facial pigmentation. Mild exfoliation can be performed at home with a natural scrub. Stronger exfoliation may be needed – in this case, laser resurfacing, chemical peels or microdermabrasion are possible treatment options. Lightening the skin tone can be done through over-the-counter skin pigmentation creams. Skin lightening creams can be applied onto the skin to treat freckles, age spots and uneven skin tone. Be careful using pigmentation creams as many contain harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin and cause damage in the long-term. Skin lightening creams often contain the chemical hydroquinone. Unfortunately, this substance can be harmful, thinning the skin and leading to deposits of blue or black pigment into the skin. This chemical is banned in many countries, such as Japan and South Africa, because of these side effects. In the United States over-the-counter products containing hydroquinone are limited to 4% hydroquinone under the regulation of the FDA. Creams containing lactic acid, fruit acid or glycolic acid may be safer treatment options. Other products can lighten the skin. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that you can mix with cucumber juice and apply to your skin. Leave it for twenty minutes then wash off. Products that contain natural soy can also work to improve skin discoloration and uneven skin tone. Lime, papaya and aloe vera are also natural cures for hyper-pigmentation. At home treatments for facial pigmentation will only treat the surface layers of the skin and your excess pigment may return. However, laser treatment and other professional treatments can reach down to the deep, dermal layers of your skin, where pigmentation originates.
