There are a variety of reasons why a dermatologist will prescribe lightening agents. They may be used to reduce the appearance of age spots (sun spots) and hyperpigmentation or to reduce the appearance of skin conditions like melasma and vitiligo. Skin depigmentation/skin lightening agents are not all made the same.  Hydroquinone and monobenzone are often the chemicals compared when assessing prescription skin lightening ingredients. These medications work very differently however…

Acne scars are often the result of moderate to severe cases of acne. It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 people who suffer from acne will have some type of acne scar as a result of their outbreaks. Scars result from the body trying to recover from the skin damage caused by acne. The resulting scars can be either barely noticeable or very deep. Chemical peels are commonly…

Hyperpigmentation is characterized by areas of skin that become darker than the surrounding area. The term can broadly be used to define a variety of skin conditions that result in pigmentation changes. This includes melasma, sun spots/age spots, acne, injuries to the skin, and more. Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition and can vary from minor cases with only a few spots to more widespread and difficult to treat cases.…

One skin care ingredient that has been discussed a lot recently is tranexamic acid. This product was initially developed to reduce bleeding and is still most commonly used for this purpose. However many dermatologists are now prescribing tranexamic acid to treat conditions of the skin including melasma. This ingredient has a favorable side effect profile compared to some others used to treat melasma and has been shown to be effective…

Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that has been widely used for treating patients with hypertension. The drug interferes with the aldosterone receptor which results in lower blood pressure. Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that plays a role in regulating blood pressure. It has also been shown in research that spironolactone blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT) receptors making it an antiandrogen. Since DHT stimulates sebum production, it has been a target for reducing…

Chemical peels are one of the most commonly used cosmetic treatments as they are both effective and can have less down time than some other treatments. However if they are used inappropriately, there can be adverse effects. Practitioners should always complete the proper training in administering chemical peels as there are various factors that come into play including the evaluation of the patient’s skin and health, the selection of the…

Chemical peels are a fast and effective treatment option for improving the complexion. For some, chemical peels are an entry way into cosmetic treatments as they are relatively affordable compared to more intensive procedures while still providing excellent results. While chemical peels are commonly used, it is important that the practitioner understand peel concentrations and application technique. Peels are relatively safe when used correctly but they can be painful as…

Melasma is a difficult-to-treat skin condition that is experienced by many women at some point in their lives. Avoidance of triggers is the primary way that flare-ups are prevented. Topical creams that contain lightening ingredients the most frequently prescribed treatment. The causes of melasma can include stimuli such as sex hormones, oral contraceptives, and sun exposure. Because of the variety of triggers that exist there are numerous suspected underlying mechanisms.…

Lidocaine is one of the most commonly used anesthetic ingredients in topical anesthetic creams. The onset of action of lidocaine is rapid and compared to other topical anesthetics it has an average duration of action. In general there is a low incidence of side effects when it is used correctly but there are some important contraindications. Lidocaine has been made in patches, gels, sprays, ointments, creams and more for providing…

It seems like every month, new clinical trial results are published that demonstrate the effectiveness of low dose naltrexone for a variety of dermatological conditions. While LDN is being studied for treating everything from cervical cancer to arthritis, the field where some of the most conclusive results are being found is dermatology. Research published this year has confirmed that low dose naltrexone is an effective treatment for psoriasis, erythromelalgia, and…