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Hyperpigmentation refers to an array of issues caused by an excess of pigment cells. This leads to noticeable areas of discoloration, which can be particularly troublesome to patients when they occur on the face. At some point, those with hyperpigmentation research how to remove pigmentation spots from the face. And while store-bought skin care makes some hefty promises, thorough hyperpigmentation treatment requires a knowledgeable physician.

Below, we’ll look at the causes and treatments for hyperpigmentation offered by board-certified physician and aesthetic expert Dr. Cory A. Gaiser at New Body Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH.

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What causes hyperpigmentation?

Everything from red splotches to sun damage and age spots to moles and scars on the skin is caused by a proliferation of pigment cells. We don’t always know what causes hyperpigmentation, but the root cause is the irregular multiplication of pigment cells. This can be set into motion by skin trauma, exposure to UV rays, and even medications.

Most people try to cover redness, scars, and other spots with cosmetics or invest in expensive skin care to lighten the area on the outermost layer of the skin (the dermis). These hyperpigmentation treatments may help temporarily or if a spot is very faint. But suppose you're looking to drastically reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation spots. In that case, you may require a deeper treatment to target the pigment cells themselves, such as an IPL facial or “photofacial.

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Where on the face does hyperpigmentation commonly occur?

Pigment cells can multiply in any area of the body, but because our faces are so often exposed to the elements and we look at ourselves every day, that’s where they stand out the most.

The three most common areas where hyperpigmentation occurs on the face are:  

• The nose  

• The cheeks  

• The forehead  

These areas tend to get the most sun exposure, which can cause hyperpigmentation on your face and make other spots and scars more visible. You can also find spots on the upper lip and chin, but those areas don’t get as much exposure as raised or large surface areas. Of course, you can get a scar anywhere that trauma occurs on the face.

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Treatments for hyperpigmentation on the face

New Body Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH is proud to offer Harmony XL PRO laser hyperpigmentation treatments. The treatment regimen will vary depending on the individual patient and their goals. During a preliminary consultation, Dr. Gaiser will discuss the possibilities and ensure your expectations are realistic.

Most patients need multiple treatments for hyperpigmentation on the face. Individual sessions last less than an hour, and Dr. Gaiser will typically schedule treatments one month apart. It’s common to need 3 – 4 treatments to get satisfactory results and a renewed complexion.

IPL/Photofacial treatments using the Harmony XL Pro laser use pulsating light beams to target pigment cells and break them up. While the light damages the problematic cells, it leaves your healthy skin cells alone.

After your IPL/Photofacial treatment, you should be able to resume regular activity almost immediately. However, it’s common to experience redness, bruising, and crusting around the treatment areas, which will also be extra sensitive to the sun. While final results may take weeks to see, they typically last about a year. After that, you can schedule maintenance treatments as needed.

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Treat hyperpigmentation with photofacial/IPL treatment in Cincinnati, OH

There are many different treatments available to target hyperpigmentation, and New Body Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH offers a variety of interventions, including laser treatments and other skin resurfacing methods.

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If you're bothered by hyperpigmentation on your face, book your consultation with aesthetic expert Dr. Cory A. Gaiser to see if photofacial treatment is the best hyperpigmentation treatment for you.