An uneven skin tone from blemishes, scars, and sun damage can be hard to deal with by yourself. Although over-the-counter products promise to reduce uneven skin tone, the fact of the matter is that most of these products are not strong enough to make a noticeable difference. At Steele Creek Dermatology in Charlotte, NC, our dermatologists know several treatment options that can be used to address skin lesions.
Selecting a treatment to reduce blemishes and lesions will depend on the severity of your skin concerns and the specific type of lesion you have. For example, pigmented lesions will have a different type of treatment than textural lesions.
A pigmented lesion can include challenges such as sun damage or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which will respond well to superficial exfoliating treatments. Textual lesions, such as warts and keloid scarring, will respond better to treatments that resurface the skin and address collagen production. Some of the most common treatments for lesions include:
Chemical peels can be used for a variety of reasons and can produce excellent results for the treatment of lesions. Light and medium chemical peels may be ideal for pigmented lesions related to sun damage, scarring, and dark spots.
A chemical peel will exfoliate away the affected skin cells on the surface of the skin. Sometimes, a deep chemical peel can be used to address raised lesions or even lesions that have a medical diagnosis.
IPL photofacials are a type of light therapy that can restore the even tone of your skin. This treatment can work to reduce the appearance of sun damage and other types of dark spots. An IPL photofacial is generally a good option for most people since this treatment can be customized to suit your skin type and skin tone.
Sometimes, medical-grade skincare products can also be used to address blemishes and lesions. For example, retinoids are very effective for reducing dark spots, uneven skin texture, and more. You may be able to use skincare products in conjunction with other treatments for lesions as part of your daily at-home skincare routine.
You will generally be able to see results from exfoliation and resurfacing treatments after several weeks. Oftentimes, the soonest you’ll be able to see the results of your treatment will be about four to six weeks after your first appointment. These results will continue to improve as you have additional treatments until your ideal aesthetic goals are achieved.
People who have mild to moderate concerns will generally be able to see their ideal results much more quickly than people who have severe concerns. This is because severe concerns will require more treatments and likely more recovery time.
The frequency of your treatments will depend on the specific treatment that is being used. Sometimes, you will be able to use treatments to remove pigmented lesions once a month to once every two months, depending on the strength of the treatment. Your treatment frequency for laser treatments or more invasive treatments may be more spaced apart to allow the skin time to heal.
The key to maintaining your results is to protect your skin from the sun. Unprotected exposure to sunlight is responsible for the vast majority of blemishes and lesions on the skin. By protecting your skin from the sun by wearing SPF every day, you’ll be able to prevent future sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and more.
Diagnosing a lesion on the skin will require a consultation appointment with a dermatologist. A dermatologist will closely examine your skin and even take photographs of concerning lesions to get a better look at your skin condition. The most common type and causes of skin lesions that are diagnosed include:
Sun damage can affect the skin in various ways, including the development of melasma and dark spots on the skin. Freckles, blemishes, and dark spots are all common signs of sun damage, along with fine lines and wrinkles.
Scarring that affects the pigment of the skin is usually related to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory erythema, both of which often occur after acne or other inflammatory skin conditions. This type of lesion is generally easily treated with regular exfoliation or resurfacing treatments.
The diagnosis of a precancerous mole also requires close examination and sometimes a skin biopsy. If your dermatologist finds a precancerous lesion or a suspicious mole on your skin, they will likely recommend treatments that will remove affected cells from the skin. For example, punch biopsy or chemical peels can be used to remove precancerous lesions and moles.
Over-the-counter skincare products may not be strong enough to correct the appearance of pigmented lesions, and these products are usually not adequate for textural lesions either. To get rid of lesions, you will need to consult with a dermatologist to identify the treatment that is most appropriate for your skin type, skin tone, and skin condition. Please contact Steele Creek Dermatology in Charlotte, NC to schedule your initial appointment today.
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