At Metro Dermatology, we have a significant number of patients come to our office for treatment of dyschromia. Dyschromia is an abnormality in the color of your skin. Dyschromia causes vary. In this blog, we will discuss the medical cause for the condition as well as environmental, health causes, and available treatments.
What Is Dyschromia?
Your skin has cells called melanocytes. These melanocytes contain melanosomes that are responsible for the color of your skin. The more melanosomes that are present, the darker the color of the skin. On the flip side, the fewer melanosomes present, the lighter the color of the skin. A disorder in the uniformity of the skin’s pigmentation is called dyschromia.
How Is Dyschromia Expressed?
Since the condition is a disorder of the pigmentation of the skin, we see it expressed in many common ways. Generally, it shows as hyperpigmentation or dark patches of skin surrounded by lighter skin. Skin conditions that are examples of dyschromia are:
- Freckles
- Age spots,
- Lentigines
- Melasma.
- Age spots
- Liver spots
- Chloasma
Many expressions of hyperpigmentation occur following sunlight exposure. They are more prevalent in places like the face, arms, and hands. However, conditions like melasma and chloasma are caused by hormonal fluctuations. Age and liver spots are two of the most common forms of Dyschromia.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dyschromia?
Dyschromia is a condition of the skin, so its symptoms are observed on the skin’s surface. When affected, the skin can look patchy or red and purple. The constriction of blood vessels causes the color changes in the skin. The hindrance of blood flow causes blood accumulation and patches of redness on the skin. Pain and difficulty breathing are possible symptoms as well.
Dyschromia Causes
As mentioned before, there are many forms of Dyschromia. Each has a unique appearance, and the causes of pigmentation issues vary. The dyschromia causes we most commonly see are:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Cuts
- Scrapes
- Caf?-au-lait spots
- Radiation therapy
- Chloasma
- Mongolian blue spots
- Wounds
- Moles
- Medication-induced photosensitivity
- Insect bites
- Bathing trunk nevi
- Giant nevi
- Sun tan
- Sun burn
- Melasma
- Rashes
- Minor skin infections
- Melanoma
- Erythrasma
- Pityriasis alba
- Tinea versicolor
- Vitiligo
Treatment Of Dyschromia
Before we discuss treatment, prevention should be mentioned. Limiting your skin’s exposure to direct sunlight and using proper sun protection is the best defense against dyschromia. However, once the damage is done there are several treatment options available:
- Use of topical drugs like hydroquinone to bleach the hyperpigmented spots
- Retinoid or steroids
- Topical TCA’s
The best, most natural, and advanced treatment available is IPL (intense pulse light) and laser technology. They do not require the use of chemicals, depend on light therapy, and your body’s own purification systems to effectively reverse the aesthetic effects of Dyschromia.
If you would like to learn more or receive a consultation to correct your pigmentation concerns, contact Metro Dermatology in New York to schedule a consultation!
