Skin discoloration due to varying pigmentation levels are generally treated by decreasing melanin concentrations on darker spots. Skin bleaching treatments help reduce melanin concentrations in the skin to bring skin back to a normal skin tone.
Home Remedies
While home remedies have taken on popularity, there are little to no studies confirming the effectiveness of such treatments. In some cases, it might even do more harm than good considering their minimal effectiveness versus the unknown side effects they could have on your body. It’s best to follow the medical advice of a dermatologist because they know what will or will not treat the disease. Here are some popular home remedies that you should be careful with:
- Green Tea Extract
- Aloe Vera
- Coconut Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Over the Counter Medication
While some over the counter (OTC) medications are effective enough to be given as prescriptions, other OTC medications have limited effects on disease. They might help for mild to moderate cases, but they aren’t usually effective on severe ones. If used incorrectly and without guidance, they might even prove to be ineffective and produce unforeseen side effects. However, a dermatologist can tell you whether or not these can be effective for you. Here are some OTC medications that may or may not be included in a treatment plan given by one of our dermatologists:
- Lightening or bleaching creams - Reduces melanin production.
- Face acids - Exfoliates skin to increase skin cell turnover to bring healthier skin up to overall reduce abnormal skin darkening.
- Chemical peels - Exfoliates skin to increase skin cell turnover to bring healthier skin up to overall reduce abnormal skin darkening.
- Antifungals - This kills fungus from tinea versicolor, but will not restore lost skin color.
Prescription
Prescriptions, alongside professional medical advice, are the most effective form of treatment. Home remedies and over the counter treatments take plenty of time, energy, and money, yet are uncertain to work. Our experienced dermatologists take your unique skin, set of symptoms, and medical history into account to take the guessing game out of your road to recovery. Here are some prescriptions your dermatologist might include in your personalized treatment plan:
- Hydroquinone - A skin bleaching drug that highly reduces melanocyte melanin production
- Retinoids - Prescription strength highly increases skin cell turnover to bring healthier skin up to overall reduce abnormal skin darkening.
- Antifungals - This kills fungus from tinea versicolor, but will not restore lost skin tone.
Our dermatologists have resolved countless skin discoloration cases with medications and treatment plans that are proven to fix your skin discoloration once and for all. Trust dermatologists, the experts on skin discoloration.
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