Dark Spots: Origin, Treatment and Prevention Tips!

Dark spots are pigmentation changes, very common in the most visible areas of the body, such as the face, neck, neckline or hands.

The most common dark spots can be divided into two types: lentigines and melasma. The former affects men and women alike and result in skin lesions caused by sun exposure over the years.

Melasma is more common in females and is associated with hormonal factors, such as taking contraceptives, pregnancy or gynecological conditions. It may appear alone but usually has a hormonal origin and when there is sun exposure, it is aggravated.

Lentigos vs. Melasma: Know the differences

Skin types are not all the same, as are the marks that characterize and distinguish them.

Sun-derived lesions, lentigines, are more common in people with low-lying phototypes, whose skin is clear and has less ability to defend the sun’s rays.

Melasma, in turn, in addition to appearing in any individual, is more common in people with high, darker-skinned phototypes. This is because, the greater the pigmentation capacity of the skin, the more the melasma becomes accentuated.

In visual terms, there are also differences. Lentigo is a spot with defined contours, while melasma is fainter and respects several types of pattern on the face: facial center (forehead and mouth area), malar (nose and cheek) or mixed.

Finally, there is the chronological distinction: melasma is frequent in women of childbearing age. Lentigines only appear after several years of exposure to the sun.

What enhances dark spots?

The formation or aggravation of melasma is closely linked to the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy or the taking of hormonal contraceptives. The reason is the apparent cross-reaction between progestagens and MSH, a hormone that stimulates melanin production (melanogenesis). The increase in progestagens has a stimulating action on cells containing darker pigments (melanocytes), similar to MSH. This reaction leads to the production of melanin and pigmentation.

If the origin of the dark spots on the skin is organic, why does it appear in such visible areas as the face? This type of pigmentation appears on the face, but in fact can also appear on the arms and forearms. This is because these areas are more exposed to sunlight.

How can dermatology help?

The medical answer provides several alternatives for treating skin pidmentation. In lentigines, the best approach is the peeling depigmenting that puts the cells at rest. However, direct treatment of the specific laser lesion can also be used.

Usually, the treatment is combined: peeling and laser. This avoids the ricochet effect that can occur when the laser is applied to a stimulated skin and causes the pigmentation to disappear but may be repressed by the aggression of the treatment.

In melasma, the first step is the suspension of hormonal contraception to curb its influence in the body. Afterwards, topical treatments, mainly depigment peelings are used. In the treatment of melasma lesions, it is not convenient to resort to the laser, since it causes a subsequent aggravation.

As for results, if the lentigines are totally neutralized, the melasma may be completely or partially eliminated. It will depend on the degree of depth in which the pigment cells are located and require long-term maintenance to remain controlled.

3 Tips to prevent skin pigmentation

1. Sun protection is essential!

The use of sunscreens is indispensable since the age of tree, to prevent and protect the skin. If lentigos or melasmas already exist, the use of a sunscreen will avoid the aggravation of the problem.

In more susceptible stages, such as pregnancy, prevention also involves reducing exposure to the sun as much as possible and strengthening the use of sunscreens.

2. Perfumes? be aware!

Perfumes have compounds of plant origin that, when subjected to solar radiation, become toxic. This phototoxicity leads to the appearance of cutaneous irregularities associated with pigmentary alterations and to the appearance of spots.

Apply them preferentially on clothing and not directly on the skin and above all, never use them before going to the beach or swimming pool!

3. Betting on dermatology

Visiting a dermatologist is the best way to treat skin pigmentation, since this professional can make a correct diagnosis and see which is the best treatment for that type of dark spot. Ideally, if you notice any pigmentation on the skin, do some procedure right away, because the earlier you treat a pigment lesion, the more likely you are to reduce or neutralize it. On the other hand, moving to a specialist is essential to check if this lesion you have on your skin will be something more serious. All care is needed in these situations!