New Horizons in Treating Disorders of Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Color

Abstract

Pigmentary abnormalities are among the most common reasons why patients with skin of color visit a dermatologist. Hydroquinone has been a cornerstone for the treatment of hyperpigmentation; however, concerns regarding adverse effects have prompted a search for alternative agents. Some promising topical treatments include soy, licorice, rucinol, mulberry, niacinamide, ellagic acid, resveratrol, and dioic acid. Oral agents, primarily used for the prevention of postprocedural hyperpigmentation, include procyanidins, tranexamic acid, and Polypodium leucotomos. Advances in Q-switched lasers, intense pulse light, fractional photothermolysis, and the advent of tretinoin peeling add to the clinician's armamentarium for treating hyperpigmentation.

Treatment of Hyperpigmentation in Darker Skins

“…Q-switched Ruby laser with 694 nm is not recommended in darker skin. Intense pulse light (IPL) has mixed results [19].…”

Systemic skin whitening/lightening agents: What is the evidence?

“…Procyanidins (pycnogenol, grape seed extracts) and Polypodium leucotomos have been found to effective and safe in the treatment of melasma and to prevent UV A induced pigmentary changes respectively. [23] But there are no trials demonstrating their efficacy in the treatment of post inflammatory pigmentation or in improving the general skin color.…”

Determination of Phytochemical Compounds, and Tyrosinase Inhibitory and Antimicrobial Activities of Bioactive Compounds from <i>Streblus ilicifolius</i> (S Vidal) Corner

“…Many problems from current whitening cosmetics such as ochronosis, allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, melanocyte toxicity and carcinogenicity [3] cause to find out the new natural whitening agents.…”

“…It is prompt search to find alternative agents from plants that have already been used topically to treat hyperpigmentation in skin of color [1,3,9]. The discovery of tyrosinase inhibition from medicinal plants is alternatives may provide leads for anti-pigmentation compounds and development to whitening and anti-browning agents.…”