Pigmentation Disorder Treatments in Ann Arbor, MI
Your skin does plenty of amazing things for you each and every day, protecting you from invading microbes, shielding you from harsh weather, and helping to make you the beautiful human being that you are. Unfortunately, our skin can also perform a few feats that we may not want it to—like changing color due to hormonal shifts, external damage, or inherited conditions. If you’ve experienced a change in your skin color, you may have a pigmentation disorder.
Treatments for Pigmentation Issues
We don’t always know what causes our skin to become lighter or darker in certain areas of the body. Sometimes, pregnancy can bring on darkened patches on the face known as melasma. Prolonged or intense UV exposure can trigger solar lentigines. Some immune-related conditions can cause our skin to become lighter, in the case of vitiligo.
But for many of these skin color disorders, topical treatments can help maintain your natural skin pigments or reduce unwanted pigmentation. At Ganger Dermatology, our experts know how to accurately diagnose pigment problems, and can prescribe a topical solution tailored to help you reduce, correct, or manage color changes in your skin.
Common Skin Discoloration Disorders
Skin Color Disorder FAQs
Melasma, a condition where pigment-producing cells overproduce in dark spots or patches, is typically caused by either hormonal changes or a form of radiation, such as UV light from the sun. Melasma happens so often in expectant mothers, in fact, that it is sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy.”
An experienced dermatologist can help you find the right type of topical medication—typically an agent called a tyrosinase inhibitor—to stop melasma from getting worse and to fade the existing color.
Vitiligo is a disease that causes the cells that produce melanin (a color pigment) to stop functioning, leading to a loss of color in your skin. It can happen to anyone at any age, though the characteristic white patches do most often appear before the age of 30. We don’t exactly know why these cells die, but it could be related to an autoimmune condition, genetics, or skin trauma.
The earlier you come to see a dermatologist about color changes in your skin, the more likely we can find a treatment to slow the spread or loss of pigmentation or even help bring color back to your skin. Treatments include topical corticosteroids and other topical medications known as enzyme inhibitors.
Hyperpigmentation can come in many forms, from sun spots to age spots to liver spots. These spots or patches can be brown, red, pink, or even black or gray. Depending on the type and cause of your hyperpigmentation, we may treat it with a variety of topical therapies, such as retinols, lightening creams, or acids. We may also use cosmetic dermatology methods for certain types of hyperpigmentation. Our experts can determine the best course of action for your unique skin condition and goals.
Re-Embrace Your Natural Skin Color at Ganger Dermatology
Changes in our skin color can quickly interfere with our feeling of being at home in our own bodies. If you’ve noticed new darker or lighter patches on your face, hands, torso, or anywhere else on your body, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ganger Dermatology for help. We have the latest diagnostic tools and dermatological treatments to rebalance and restore what makes you, you.
Call the professional team at Ganger Derm for a personalized skin discoloration solution! Proudly serving patients in Ann Arbor, Wixom, and Plymouth, MI, we’re your leading skin care central for pigments that need a little help getting back to baseline. Schedule your appointment today and get a personalized plan to put skin pigments in their rightful place.
