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Dark Spots
A surplus of melanin leads to hyperpigmentation, or dark blotches on the skin. The eyes, skin, and hair are coloured by melanin.
Although some people may decide to have dark spots on their skin removed for aesthetic reasons, they are not dangerous and do not require treatment. People may refer to some types of dark spots on the skin as age spots or sunspots depending on the source.
Causes
There are several different causes of dark spots, as we describe here:
Sun damage
Also called sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, people can develop dark spots on their skin after being exposed to the sun or tanning beds.
Areas of the body that receive the most sun exposure, such as the face, hands, or arms, are most likely to develop sun spots.
Hormonal changes
Melasma is a skin condition that leads to small patches of skin discoloration. The condition is more common in women, especially during pregnancy.
Medication side effects
Certain medications can increase skin pigmentation and lead to dark spots. The most common culprits are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tetracyclines, and psychotropic drugs.
Inflammation
Dark spots can develop after a bout of inflammation on the skin. Inflammation may occur for various reasons that include eczema, psoriasis, injury to the skin, and acne.
Wound healing
Dark spots may remain after an insect bite, burn, or cut heals. These may fade with time.
Irritation
Cosmetic skin or hair products can irritate the skin, causing dark patches to form.
Diabetes can cause areas of the skin to become darker.
Conditions associated with diabetes include acanthosis nigricans, which causes darkened, velvety skin, and shin spots or diabetic dermopathy, which people may confuse with age spots.
Treatments
Dark spots on the skin do not require treatment, but some people may want to remove the spots for cosmetic reasons.
A dermatologist can offer creams or procedures to lighten dark spots, or in some cases, remove them. Procedures are more expensive than creams and are more likely to cause side effects, though they tend to work faster.
The best treatment option may depend on the cause, the size of the dark spot, and the area of the body.
Here at Stone Aesthetics we recommend that you book at consultation to thoroughly examine the areas of concerns with a view to arrange one of the following treatments for dark spots
Chemical peels
A chemical peel involves applying a solution to the skin, whi providech exfoliates the surface, leading to new skin growth. It may gradually fade dark spots. Here at Stone Aesthetics we are pleased to offer peels to suit every skin type ction of market leading Chemical Peel products from PCA Skincare.
Prescription skin-lightening cream
Prescription-lightening cream such as Obagi Medical works by bleaching the skin. It typically works gradually and takes several months to decrease the appearance of dark spots.
Hydroquinone, which is the active ingredient in the creams, prevents the skin from producing melanin. Prescription products tend to have a strength of 3–4 percent.
Over-the-counter creams
Over-the-counter skin creams to lighten skin are not as strong as prescription medications, but they may also work.
Creams and serums contain various ingredients, including retinol or alpha hydroxy acid, which may speed up the exfoliation of the skin and promote new skin growth.
When looking for a skin-lightening cream, always choose one recommended by a dermatologist, as some products can be harmful.
Prevention is key
It may not always be possible to prevent dark spots on the skin from developing. For example, hormonal changes during pregnancy that may lead to melasma are not preventable.
There are, however, a few things people can do to decrease the chances of dark spots and prevent them from getting darker:
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even when the sun is not bright.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the skin further.
- Treat skin conditions, such as acne, which may lead to inflammation.
- Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when it tends to be strongest.
When to see a doctor
In most cases, dark spots on the skin are not harmful. But in some instances, it might be hard to tell the difference between a dark spot and other skin changes, such as melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer.
People who are unsure what a dark spot is or have not been able to get rid of it can see a doctor to find out more.
It is important to talk to a doctor if any dark spot on the skin:
- appears suddenly
- itches
- tingles
- bleeds
- changes color or size