Some people have patches of darker skin on their faces and bodies, and this is described as “hyperpigmentation,” meaning there is too much pigment in the skin. Dr. Keith Llewellyn offers hyperpigmentation treatment for residents of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Solvang, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, and the surrounding areas of California.
Hyperpigmentation is a condition that describes dark patches of skin. The color of your skin is controlled by melanin, and it also determines the color of your eyes and hair. Dark spots on your skin are caused by excessive melanin, and tanning is the result of ultraviolet light increasing the amount of melanin in your skin. Freckles are another way that melanin appears on the skin. Dark patches of skin are caused by hyperpigmentation, indicating that you have too much melanin in that area. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by sun damage, trauma and inflammation of the skin, medications, medical conditions, hormonal changes, and other factors. As a dermatologist, Dr. Llewellyn specializes in diagnosing and treating hyperpigmentation.
Once Dr. Llewellyn determines why you have hyperpigmentation, he will recommend appropriate treatment options, and we can discuss the cost during the appointment. Our payment methods are cash and major credit card, and you will find more information on our financing page.
Most cases of hyperpigmentation are cosmetic in nature, so the primary benefit for you is to even out your skin tone. If Dr. Llewellyn determines that a skin condition or other issue is causing your hyperpigmentation, he has the expertise to recommend treatments that may help with that condition which usually leads to improvement of the dark patches on your skin.
An abnormality or unusual discoloration or growth that you notice on your skin should be examined by a dermatologist.
Laser treatments which target melanin, chemical peels, prescription fading creams and high grade professional skin care products along with sun protection are usually very effective at improving skin hyperpigmentation. For optimal results, you may need a series laser or chemical peel treatments depending on the severity of the hyperpigmentation.
Red and deep purple birthmarks such as hemangiomas and port wine stains are not caused by hyperpigmentation. They are caused by a collection of blood vessels at the surface of the skin. These red and purple skin marks are usually of cosmetic concern and are not of medical concern with the exception of some hemangiomas. Dr. Llewellyn performs laser treatments to improve and remove these vascular birthmarks. While improvement may be seen with a single laser treatment, you may need a series of treatments. Certain hemangiomas in babies and young children may also be treated with prescription medications.
Freckles, dark patches, age spots, and other types of hyperpigmentation as well as vascular birthmarks such as port wine stains and hemangiomas can treated by Dr. Llewellyn. Aloe Dermatology offers hyperpigmentation treatment for men and women in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Solvang, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, and the surrounding areas of California. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.