Hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots Treatment in Chevy Chase, MD

Many men and women suffer from hyperpigmentation or dark spots, which is a common dermatological concern involving dark-colored patches that occur on the surface of the skin. These brown or red spots can show up anywhere on the body and tend to vary in shape and diameter. Discolored areas on the skin may also be caused by acne scarring or sunspots as well as eczema, melasma, and other conditions. Dr. Madeliene Elaine Gainers treats hyperpigmentation conditions on a regular basis at Madeliene Elaine. We offer treatments for hyperpigmentation to reduce the presence of this aesthetic concern and help refresh your overall complexion. We encourage you to contact our facility in Chevy Chase, MD for additional details!

Sometimes, an individual's body may naturally generate more skin pigmentation than is required. Pigmentation is created by melanin. When melanin is overproduced, it can cause certain conditions, like hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Hyperpigmentation occurs in certain conditions, including:

• Brown spots
• Acne
• Eczema
• Age spots or liver spots
• Melasma or pregnancy mask

Additionally, certain health and environmental risk factors may also elevate a person's chance of darker pigmentation, such as specific medications, skin trauma or injury, or excess sun exposure/damage.

Dr. Gainers can treat hyperpigmentation with chemical or laser peels. Both of these options remove the damaged skin layers to rejuvenate the skin complexion and even out the skin tone. Chemical peels and laser peels are effective and allow for easy personalization. Dr. Gainers will assess the extent of your skin damage and develop a tailored treatment plan. A chemical peel uses a mixture of deeply exfoliating salicylic, glycolic, trichloroacetic, and lactic acids. A laser peel uses an ablative, non-ablative, or a combination of both to treat dark spots on your skin. We will provide detailed information about the procedures and aftercare.

What causes hyperpigmentation?

Both women and men can experience hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, on the skin of any part of their body. Often this is caused by a number of factors, including:

• Acne scarring
• Sunspots
• Eczema
• Melasma
• Age spots
• And more

Of all these, exposure to the sun is one of the major risks for developing hyperpigmentation.

How do you get rid of hyperpigmentation or dark spots?

Dr. Gainers at Madeliene Elaine provides a number of ways to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation on your skin, including chemical peels and laser treatments.

Why does my hyperpigmentation seem to be getting worse?

Many people falsely think that hyperpigmentation is only linked to the summer and exposure to the sun. While the sun is a significant contributing factor to hyperpigmentation, dry weather, colder temperatures, and decreased humidity can affect your skin and worsen skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne, which can leave behind dark spots.

At Madeliene Elaine in Chevy Chase, MD, Dr. Gainers will provide detailed information about your treatment options for dark spot or hyperpigmentation issues. Please schedule an appointment to learn more about your options. Hyperpigmentation or dark spots can make you feel embarrassed about your complexion, and you may find that you wear a lot of makeup to hide it. Don't let these issues prevent you from feeling happy with yourself. Dr. Gainers looks forward to developing a personalized treatment plan for you.