Microneedling has been established as a gold standard method to treat scars and induce collagen production, but less is known about the proven benefits of SkinPen treatments for vitiligo and melasma. In this post, we explain how SkinPen can address a variety of pigmentation concerns from solar lentigo (a.k.a. sun spots) to chronic pigmentation disorders such as vitiligo and melasma that are generally difficult to resolve. If you have been diagnosed with any of these skin conditions, or you are simply looking for a non-invasive way to improve the evenness of your complexion, read on to discover how SkinPen treatments for vitiligo and melasma can help.
Understanding Vitiligo and Melasma
In order to understand how SkinPen treatments for vitiligo and melasma work, it’s helpful to understand these conditions.
Vitiligo
In the simplest terms, vitiligo is a condition where the skin loses its natural color, resulting in white patches that can appear on different parts of the body. It happens when the cells that produce melanin, which gives the skin its color, are destroyed. As a result, these patches stand out as lighter than the surrounding skin.
Vitiligo isn’t harmful or painful, but it can have a significant impact on a person’s appearance and self-confidence. It can occur at any age and affects all skin types, but it’s more noticeable in people with darker skin tones.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but it’s believed to be related to an autoimmune response, genetic factors, and environmental triggers.
Melasma
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or grayish-brown patches of pigmentation on the face. It’s more common in women than men and is thought to be related to hormones, sun exposure, genetics, and certain medications.
The pathophysiology of melasma involves melanocytes (the skin cells that produce melanin in the skin) in the epidermis undergoing changes such as enlargement, having prominent dendrites, and increased melanosomes (the cells that synthesize and store melanin). These alterations in melanocytes contribute to the excessive production and uneven distribution of melanin in the skin. The patches usually appear on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. They can vary in size and shape and sometimes resemble a mask-like appearance on the face.
Challenges of Treating Vitiligo and Melasma
As mentioned in the introduction, both vitiligo and melasma are challenging conditions to treat. Unfortunately there isn’t a simple or permanent cure for either of these disorders, largely because of their systemic nature.
Vitiligo
The treatment of vitiligo presents several challenges. One key challenge is the unpredictability of the condition. Vitiligo can be challenging to treat because its progression and response to treatment can vary significantly from person to person. What works for one individual may not work for another. This individual variability makes it difficult to determine the most effective treatment approach for each case of vitiligo.
Another challenge is that there is currently no cure for vitiligo. Treatment options aim to repigment the affected skin or even out the skin tone, but they may not completely eliminate the white patches. It’s important for individuals with vitiligo to have realistic expectations and understand that treatment may not result in complete restoration of skin color.
Additionally, adherence to treatment can be challenging for some individuals. Treating vitiligo often requires long-term commitment and patience, as it may take several months or even years to see noticeable improvement.
Melasma
Treating melasma poses several challenges. One significant challenge is the difficulty in differentiating melasma from other causes of hyperpigmentation due to overlapping clinical features. This can complicate the diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment strategies for individuals with melasma. It is always advisable
Another challenge in treating melasma is the low permeability of water-soluble substances through the hydrophobic layer of the stratum corneum. As a result, achieving effective delivery of medications to target areas becomes more complex, potentially impacting treatment outcomes.
Furthermore, the chronic and relapsing nature of melasma presents a challenge in managing the condition in the long term. Maintaining consistent treatment and managing expectations for gradual improvement is needed to avoid disappointment. While in some cases, melasma may resolve on its own, in many cases, it is a life-long condition that needs to be managed.
SkinPen Treatments for Vitiligo and Melasma
The use of microneedling for pigmentation disorders is quite promising—especially with melanin-rich skins for which heat based laser modalities can pose a risk.
How SkinPen Works for Pigmentation Disorders
The treatment protocols differ for treating pigmentation concerns compared with treatment plans for scar revision and collagen induction. SkinPen treatments for vitiligo and melasma, as well as solar lentigines, entail a shallower needle depth and more treatments that are performed more frequently. In the case of treating vitiligo, there are also specific techniques that need to be followed in order to encourage re-pigmentation of the affected regions of skin.
Why a shallower needle depth is needed.
When addressing scars or inducing collagen, we are aiming to create microchannels that extend into the dermis layer of the skin. This is the layer of skin below the epidermis where the connective tissues that give the skin its structure can be found.
When treating pigmentation concerns, we want to target the layers of the skin where the melanocyte cells are—the deepest layer of the epidermis which is called the stratum basale. By working at more shallow depths, the proinflammatory healing cascade that microneedling initiates will be specific to the region of the skin we wish to treat. Additionally, by performing a shallower treatment, the healing process is faster, allowing treatments to be performed every two weeks.
- For vitiligo it is recommended to do a course of 12 treatments.
- For melasma, a course of six treatments is advised.
- For solar lentigines, you may see improvements in as little as three bi-weekly treatments.
Benefits of SkinPen Treatments for Vitiligo and Melasma
Vitiligo
By treating the skin at shallow depths of 0.25-0.5mm and following specific treatment techniques, the microneedling process jump starts melanocyte and melanosome reservoirs, essentially recruiting these cells to re-pigment the skin.
Melasma
There are two pathways by which SkinPen treatments address melasma:
1. By stimulating growth factors to reduce melanin production.
2. By speeding up the cell renewal process.
While SkinPen treatments for vitiligo and melasma are promising, it must be stressed that both conditions are unpredictable and there is a high chance of relapse with sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, or increased inflammation in the body due to stress. This therapeutic modality is just one step that can be done in conjunction with a prescribed at-home skincare routine, avoidance of sun exposure and strict sunscreen use, as well as applicable medications or supplements.
Combining SkinPen and Other Complexion Treatments
After undergoing a series of SkinPen treatments for vitiligo and melasma, and/or solar lentigines, other professional complexion treatments and at-home care can be implemented to maintain your results.
- Superficial peels that incorporate lactic acid are an fantastic way to inhibit pigmentation while minimizing irritation and/inflammation.
- For hyperpigmentation concerns, integrating serums that incorporate pigment inhibiting and anti-inflammatory ingredients is an important daily step.
- On a daily basis, it is important to apply and reapply a tinted mineral sunscreen to provide broad spectrum protection, shield against damaging blue light from devices, and reduce the inflammation caused by infrared rays.
If you would like to explore how SkinPen can help you address pigmentation concerns, we welcome you to book a consultation with one of our certified skin therapists. By working closely and consistently with an expert, you will achieve lasting improvements that will help you feel more confident in your skin.
To familiarize yourself more with SkinPen and how it works, click here.
