Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is usually harmless but can make you feel self-conscious and unattractive. You may have patches of skin that are darker in color than other portions of the surrounding skin, which may be the result of acne scars or sun damage. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, consult the Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, where our general dermatology team can help you with effective treatments to even out your skin tone and promote a radiant complexion. Call the Richmond-area office nearest you today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

What causes hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation can affect people of any skin type and tone. The darkened patches of skin occur due to an excess of melanin, the brown pigment in skin. When deposits of melanin clump together, you get spots of melasma or post-inflammatory discoloration due to acne or trauma. Age spots are another common form of hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage.

Melasma describes larger areas of darkened skin that appear most often due to hormonal changes in combination with sun exposure. Women who are pregnant, as well as women taking birth control pills, sometimes develop melasma. Melasma may also have a genetic component.

Inflammation from other primary skin diseases (like eczema, psoriasis or lupus), drug reactions, acne, surgical scars, insults like bug bites, and freckles are other forms of hyperpigmentation.

How can I prevent hyperpigmentation?

If you don't have serious hyperpigmentation, stop it from developing. Protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays by covering up or using sunscreen when outdoors. You should also avoid tanning beds altogether. When you choose sunscreen, ensure it’s a broad-spectrum type that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. In some cases, using smart sun protection will help areas of hyperpigmentation to fade on their own faster than they otherwise would.

Avoid rubbing or picking at spots that have hyperpigmentation. You may aggravate the area and cause it to worsen.

What is the treatment for hyperpigmentation?

The team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center want to help you achieve an even skin tone that boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Prescription creams are available to lighten the skin. They contain hydroquinone to slow the production of melanin, so dark spots gradually fade. Over-the-counter versions of these creams are available but carry a lower concentration of the active ingredient.

In cases of significant hyperpigmentation, the doctors may recommend prescription products containing tretinoin or cortisone creams. These can irritate the skin, so they should only be used under close supervision.

Laser and other light therapy can also help even out your skin tone and erase hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels also offered at the office, are another effective way to improve discoloration and other skin imperfections.

If you have uneven skin tones and spots of hyperpigmentation that mar your complexion, consult with the team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center. Call the nearest office for an appointment or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

How can we help

Services

Service Offered: Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and can be dangerous if it's left untreated. Routine skin cancer screenings with one of our expert team members at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, ensure early detection and treatment to prevent complications. Call our office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a very safe and effective outpatient surgical procedure for removing certain types of skin cancer. This technique focuses on the complete removal of the skin cancer with a cure rate as high as 98-99% depending on the cancer type, size, and location. Our Mohs surgeons, William Gillen and Shields Callahan, MD at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center are fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Using a microscope to examine the margins, they can be very precise in determining when the cancer has been removed, thus preserving normal surrounding tissues and allowing the smallest possible surgical wound.

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Service Offered: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer typically on sun-exposed skin that can arise from the pre-cancers, actinic keratoses. Seeking treatment early for any unusual, painful, or non-healing site can prevent serious complications associated with skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their team diagnose and treat squamous cell carcinoma by removing skin lesions with surgical techniques, including Mohs surgery, or other more conservative procedures, if appropriate. Call the nearest Richmond-area office today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, and Patricia O’Connor, MD, offer treatment for this type of cancer that usually appears as a bump or pinkish patch of skin. If you suspect you have basal cell carcinoma or any form of skin cancer, contact the office right away to set up an appointment. Call either Richmond-area office to speak with a team member or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Melanoma
Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that kills thousands of people each year. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of professionals at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, are committed to finding and diagnosing melanoma at its earliest stages which is crucial for treatment. In these early stages, treatment can be done in our office. When necessary, our skilled providers are experienced in developing interdisciplinary treatment plans. Above all, they are dedicated to educating their patients on skin cancer prevention. Schedule your skin cancer screening today by calling the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Skin Disorders
Skin Disorders

Skin disorders can look unsightly, be embarrassing, or in some cases, indicate skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their experienced team treat lumps, bumps, and rashes in patients of all ages. Call either Richmond-area office to schedule an appointment or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Injectables
Injectables

If you want to rejuvenate your appearance by minimizing facial wrinkles and fine lines, then injectables may be right for you. Patricia O'Connor, MD, and Eliza Hester PA-C at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provide high-quality injectables and customized plans for their patients in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Schedule an injectables consultation today by calling either Richmond-area office, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Psoriasis
Psoriasis

Roughly 7.4 million people in the United States are bothered by psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, joints, and less commonly the cardiovascular system. If you have psoriasis, schedule a visit with a member of our general dermatology team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. A group of well-versed providers in the variety of treatment options available for psoriasis and will develop a plan to help you find relief from your condition. Booking an appointment is easy. Simply call the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Eczema
Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes reddened and scaling skin and uncomfortable itching. Occasionally, this broken skin can become infected leading to pain and oozing. Our team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, can help you manage eczematous conditions so you can live as normal and healthy of a life as possible and prevent the flares and infections associated with a broken skin barrier. Call either of the Richmond-area offices today to schedule your appointment and get relief from symptoms or, send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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