Treatment
In most cases, pigmentation disorders do not require treatment because they usually have no disease value. Nevertheless, newly appearing or changing skin changes should be examined by a dermatologist in order to exclude a possibly malignant diagnosis. If it is indeed a degeneration of the skin, the affected area is usually removed generously.
This is done under local anesthesia and is absolutely painless. Although there is no disease value for most pigmentation disorders, the people affected suffer considerably. Cosmetic therapy is certainly possible, especially for pigment disorders of the face or hands, or if a large area is affected.
In these cases, creams that can conceal the affected areas and thus improve the appearance of the pigment disorders may be considered. Some creams contain bleaching agents that can bleach the affected area and make it appear lighter. However, these creams can cause irregularities and should therefore be used with care.
In particularly drastic cases, laser therapy can be considered for the treatment of the pigment disorder after clarification with the treating dermatologist. Before laser treatment of some pigment disorders, it is necessary to take a sample from one of the affected skin areas, as the presence of a malignant skin tumor must be reliably ruled out before starting the therapy. If the pigment disorder in question is eligible for laser therapy, this therapy option is usually highly effective.
The pigment deposits are destroyed by the laser beam and can then be broken down by the body’s own cells.For the prophylaxis of pigment disorders, risk factors for the development of the changes should be avoided. One of the main risk factors for the occurrence of the pigment disorder is exposure to UV radiation. People with fair skin type in particular should strictly avoid exposure to UV radiation and only use sunscreen to expose their skin to dangerous radiation.
Some forms of pigment disorders require lifelong check-ups by the treating dermatologist. Changes in pigmentation can be identified by photo documentation of the affected areas and treated if necessary. Most pigment disorders require the conscious use of sunscreen.
Since many of the changes in the skin are accompanied by increased exposure to UV radiation, the occurrence of many of the pigment disorders can be prevented if a sunscreen is used consistently. Even or especially when pigment disorders are already present, the use of these creams is advisable as a prophylaxis against further changes. In the case of hypopigmentation disorders, it is usually also advisable to use a sunscreen, since the cosmetic effect of the pigment disorder is less drastic if a cream with a sun protection factor is used.
The risk of sunburn in the non-pigmented areas is also greatly reduced. In the case of hyperpigmentation, creams can be used which, by selecting the color tone of the cream, make the cosmetic impression of the pigment disorders appear weaker. In this case, the skin tone and the color of the cream must be matched to each other so that this so-called camouflage can work.
In many cases, the use of such creams can significantly reduce the existing level of suffering of the affected persons. Since the use of these creams usually has no or few side effects, their application can be recommended. There are also some bleaching creams on the market, which are supposed to reduce the appearance of pigment disorders by bleaching the skin.
However, the use of these creams can cause irregularly bleached skin and should be used with caution. Most creams in this category also contain exfoliating substances, which is why the skin can often be irritated and reddened after application of the creams. If the pigmentation disorder is caused by an inflammatory process (e.g. pityriasis alba), anti-inflammatory creams may be used.
Before self-therapy or masking of the pigment disorders with creams is carried out, a dermatologist should always look at the affected areas so that a possibly malignant diagnosis can be ruled out. The course of the various types of pigment disorders varies considerably. How they develop depends on both their cause and their severity.
The symptoms of albinism, for example, remain for a lifetime, as this disease is genetically determined. Freckles, on the other hand, can come and go more or less, and very often they recede on their own, at least partially, in adulthood. In contrast, the white spot disease rather shows a progressive course: The spots become more numerous and larger and can merge into large herds.
In rare cases, it is reported that the symptoms recede spontaneously (repigmentation). In the case of a pigment disorder, the formation of color pigments is disturbed, which means that the skin is either stronger or weaker in color in certain areas. Depending on the cause (genetic or external influences), the different types differ in form and expression.
What all pigment disorders have in common, however, is that they either have no disease value at all or only a very low disease value. Patients are not actually restricted in their normal life, except for the fact that they may have to pay more attention to sun protection or experience the externally visible changes as emotionally stressful. For such cases, there are some remedies that can restore normal skin color and thus alleviate the suffering of those affected.
