Abstract

Hyperpigmentation is common dermatological condition. Skin color is determined by melanin and other chromophores and is influenced by physical factors (ultraviolet radiation) and other endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine factors. Being the largest organ of the body, any abnormality in skin color can have impact on the patients’ psychosocial impairment of life.

Case Report

A 21-year-old female patient came with multiple red rashes spread on the whole body skin, skin hyperpigmentaion with dark round spots appeared, associated with no pain or pruritus. The skin of the head and neck was darkened evidently, and dark brown spots were spread on the skin of trunk and limbs.

Skin biopsy displayed that the patient underwent border dermatitis with vacuolar damage. There were lots of melanophages and melanin particles within epidermal and dermal cells. The patient was kept under regular follow-up treatment with Phytochemicals.

Discussion

The patient was found with gradual recovery at the 3-month follow-up visit. Her skin color was restored to normal and the dark spots got shallow. And the spots almost disappeared at the 6-month follow-up visit. Facial hyperpigmentation is a common and emergent concern to the dermatologists today.

Treating hyperpigmentation can be challenging and various modalities are needed to aid in the improvement of topical treatments. Cosmeceuticals are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids containing biologically active ingredients that may improve the appearance of skin and are increasingly popular alternatives to standard agents. Among cosmeceuticals – plant-derived compounds known as phytochemicals, have been shown to have a multitude of cellular actions for various dermatological diseases.

Conclusion

Flavonoids are naturally occurring phenolic phytochemicals that possess a host of biological properties, in vitro. In summary, it was stated that a large variety of safe and effective skin-lightening botanicals exist as potential alternatives to current products, such as, hydroquinone. Natural extracts represent a large repository of ingredients for skin-lightening cosmeceuticals. Dermatologists and primary care physicians would benefit from familiarizing themselves with the evidence supporting or refuting the use of botanically derived products for hyperpigmentation treatment, as patients are becoming increasingly interested in natural alternatives.