Black spots all over body: Age spots (liver spots) – Symptoms and causes

05.09.202313.06.2023 by alexxlab

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Black Spots On Back, Neck & Shoulders: Causes and Treatment

Keeping our skin spot free has been a consistent desire of people everywhere. One skin condition that makes achieving this difficult, is the appearance of black spots on back and neck, also around shoulders. Black spots are usually harmless; The causes may be varied ranging from simple sunspots to conditions like skin cancers which may need immediate attention. It is important to consult a dermatologist who can diagnose the cause of these black spots and suggest an appropriate treatment to get rid of them.

Black Spots On The Back And Neck

Dark spots on the neck, back and shoulders may be discrete or diffuse and are often confused with dirt that you can wash off. However, these black or dark spots are signs of hyperpigmentation where patches of skin become darker in colour than surrounding normal skin. While they can appear anywhere on your body, dark spots usually develop on areas that have maximum exposure to the sun.

Must Read: What Is The Best Treatment For Skin Pigmentation?

Causes Of Black Spots On Back And Neck

Dark spots on the back and neck can develop due to many reasons, like the following:

Excessive exposure to UV rays: Either overexposure to the UV rays due to frequent stepping out into the sun without adequate sun protection or excessive use of artificial tanning can result in dark spots on the back and neck. This is because of excessive melanin production in the skin.
Skin conditions: Riehl’s Melanosis, Acne, Macular Amyloidosis, Lichen Planus Pigmentosus, etc. can cause dark spots on the neck and back.
Ageing: Solar lentigines or liver spots are dark spots that are common in people above 40 years of age.
Acanthosis Nigricans: The condition commonly affects the neck and body folds like underarms etc. The skin looks velvety and thickened and appears like a dirty neck. It occurs because of excessive weight gain and insulin hormone imbalance.
Side effects of Medication: Use of drugs like Tetracyclines, Phenytoin, Sulfonamides, Estrogens, Amiodarone, Phenothiazines, etc. can result in black spots on back and shoulders.
Medical conditions: Certain health concerns like liver disease, Addison’s disease, Pituitary tumours, hemochromatosis, etc. can cause the formation of dark spots on the back.

Must Read: Skin Lightening Treatment

Symptoms Of Black Spots On Back, Neck & Shoulders

Read further to know how the black spots on back, neck and shoulders look.

The dark spots can range in colour from dark brown to black or slate grey.
They are painless.
The texture of a black spot may be smooth or uneven similar to the surrounding skin.
Solar lentigines are usually flat and oval.

Treatment For Black Spots On Back And Neck

A dermatologist may use any of the following methods to reduce the black spots on your back and neck depending on the condition:

Laser Treatment: This procedure involves the use of laser emissions to disintegrate the pigment selectively. Cells responsible for the appearance of black spots on back and neck, It also helps stimulate collagen production for faster healing. It is an effective treatment for reducing dark spots.
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Chemical Peels: There are different types of chemical peels, which can help you get rid of your dark spots. These peels contain alpha and beta hydroxy acids derived from natural sources of varying strengths and work by exfoliating and removing the damaged skin cells and accumulated pigment in the superficial layers of the skin. Some of the best chemical peels that are effective in treating dark spots are glycolic peels and trichloroacetic peels.
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Microneedling: It is one of the common treatments for dark spots as it does not use any chemicals and it encourages the body to heal on its own. It involves the use of a hand-held device that contains several tiny needles, which help in stimulating collagen production in the skin.
Dermabrasion: This procedure removes layers of skin painlessly with the use of a wire or a diamond-tipped instrument. Dermabrasion works effectively for reducing spots that penetrate deeper than the epidermis (top layer of skin).
Skin Lightening Creams: There are a large number of skin lightening creams available in the market. They can help in reducing a few types of dark spots if you apply them in a proper dose and for a duration recommended by your dermatologist. One of the most common ingredients present in these skin-lightening creams is hydroquinone. They also contain Kojic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Azelaic Acid, etc. Though these creams may be useful, they generally offer temporary results and have to be used under the guidance of a Dermatologist.
Home Remedies: Many people often try to get rid of the black spots by using home remedies; however, it is advisable to visit a dermatologist who can find out the root cause of this pigmentary concern and suggest an effective treatment accordingly.

Must Read: Do Chemical Peels Remove Dark Spots?

Tips For Prevention Of Black Spots On Back And Neck

Here are a few simple tips you can follow to prevent dark spots on your body.

Cover up all extremities of your body to protect them from sun damage. Wear hats, gloves, scarves, shades, etc. to protect your skin from the harsh sun rays.
Do not touch, scratch or pick up wounds or scabs to avoid long-term scarring.
Use sunscreen with SPF 30 to protect your skin from UV rays before stepping out.

Remember, dark spots on your back, shoulders and neck may indicate an underlying health condition. Therefore, it is critical to understand how to treat them. If you are suffering from dark spots, go ahead and seek immediate medical attention to safeguard your skin health today.

Causes, Risk factors, Home Remedies and Prevention

People who are in their middle age are more likely to develop these dark spots due to hyperpigmentation. Hence, these are also known as age spots. The most common areas where spots are likely to occur are- face, hands, arms, shoulders and the back.

Usually, these dark spots are harmless and tend to cure on their own. However, some of them may be malignant in nature. With some simple skin routine and drinking lots of water, you can get rid of these spots easily.

Table of Contents

Causes of Black Spot on Skin

Some of the common causes due to which black spots can occur are mentioned below.

Sun damage

This is the most common reason for developing dark spots on the skin. Also known as sunspots, solar lentigines or liver spots, due to being exposed to sun or tanning bed, the skin can turn black. Black spots tend to develop on face, hands or arms.

Side effects from certain medications

Drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tetracyclines, and psychotropic drugs can cause skin pigmentation as side effects.

Inflammation

Eczema, psoriasis, acne or injury to the skin can cause inflammation of the skin. These also cause dark spots.

Healing of wounds

After an insect bite, burn or cut, there can be dark spots.

Skin irritation

Due to the overuse or allergic reaction of cosmetic skin or hair products, the skin causes dark patches.

Skin conditions

There are different skin diseases also that can cause dark spots. Not all of them are age-related.

Melasma- Develops during pregnancy due to excessive production of melanin.
Linea nigra- During pregnancy, a dark, vertical line appears lengthwise in between the abdomen.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation- Discoloration of skin after a lesion such as an acne
Chloasma- Hormonal changes lead to darkened skin
Poikiloderma of Civatte- This is a benign condition in which the neck turns reddish-brown in color
Erythromelanosis follicularis- In this skin condition also, there is red-brown pigmentation of face and neck.

Risk factors of Black Spot on Skin

Irrespective of age, sex, or race, black spots can develop in everyone. However, certain factors increase the risk of black spot for some-

Exposure to the sun
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Skin conditions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis
Trauma or injury to the skin
Taking some medications that increase pigmentation
Issues in the liver
Diabetes

Home remedies for Black Spot

For spots that are mild and light, there are several do-it-on your own (DIY) tips you can try at home. Some of them are explained below-

Aloe vera gel
Apple cider vinegar
Buttermilk
Castor oil
Horseradish
Hydrogen peroxide
Garbanzo beans
Lemons
Papaya
Parsley
Sandalwood
Turmeric

Treating the Black Spot on Skin

Topical treatments

To diminish the dark spots, prescription bleaching creams can also work. The main active ingredient of the prescription bleaching creams- hydroquinone works by inhibiting melanin production and thereby, removing the dark spots. However, these creams should only be used for short-term purposes. Apparently these creams are not safe to use regularly.

According to a research article, “Hydroquinone: Environmental pollution, toxicity, and microbial answers”, there is a high concentration of carcinogens present in these topical creams. Hence, the United States Food and Drug Administration has limited the concentration of hydroquinone to 3-4% and 2% in over-the-counter products.

Moreover, there are some side effects that can occur due to prolonged use of these creams. Some of them are-

Redness
Swelling
Skin irritation

As these products contain ingredients that are abrasive in nature, remember to wear sunscreen with SPF throughout the treatment.

Cosmetic procedures

In addition to topical treatments, one can go for cosmetic procedures to treat dark spots on any part of the body. Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, consult with a dermatologist first as some of them may be inappropriate for sensitive skin.

Laser treatment

In this type of cosmetic procedure, the dermatologist uses light energy to remove the skin layer one after another. The procedure burns off the dark spots by targeting the light on the melanin. However, remember there can be some risks such as bruising, swelling, redness, tightness, scarring, infection and changes in skin texture.

Chemical peels

Chemically made face peels are applied to the skin that exfoliates the skin and resulting in new skin growth. The peels contain salicylic and glycolic acid that removes the topmost layer of the skin. The possible side effect of this procedure is skin irritation.

Microdermabrasion

Using a special device, the dermatologist removes the outer layer of the skin in microdermabrasion. The main aim of the procedure is to promote new collagen growth that eventually reduces the spots. There are two types of microdermabrasion-

Crystal microdermabrasion- Through a wand, a machine emits fine crystals that scrape away dead cells.
Diamond- tipped microdermabrasion- Using the abrasive end of the wand, the dermatologist removes the cells.

Cryosurgery

In this procedure, the dermatologist freezes the dark spots with a liquid nitrogen solution. After the cells freeze, it becomes easy for the darkened skin to peel away. The most common side effect of cryosurgery is the permanent whitening of the treated areas.

Preventing Black Spots on Skin from developing

It might not be possible to prevent dark spots on skin from developing completely. For instance, during pregnancy, a condition known as melasma is not preventable. However, the spots on the skin tend to be stubborn. Hence, it is best if you avoid them from developing at all.

Here are a few things you can try-

Use SPF- Wear and reapply sunscreen regularly every two hours or sooner, especially when going out or swimming.
Cover the skin- When stepping out of the home, wear a hat, long sleeves and pants to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Avoid peak sun hours- The sun is at peak between 10 am to 2 pm. Hence, avoid stepping out of your home between this period.
Treat skin conditions such as acne to reduce inflammation.

References

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2013/542168/

causes, symptoms, treatment tactics, risks – Dobrobut Clinic

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Medical Library Dobrobut

Publication date: 2019-11-16

Age spots on the skin: causes, symptoms, treatment tactics

The presence of age spots on the skin is called hyperpigmentation. Such a change in the natural color of the skin not only affects their aesthetic appearance, but can also signal dangerous diseases.

Causes

There are many causes of skin hyperpigmentation. In each case, the provoking factor is determined by the doctor – the treatment tactics depend on this.

The main conditions for the occurrence of hyperpigmentation:

exposure to sunlight;
lack of vitamin C in the body – can develop both as a result of certain diseases and as a result of a lack of food;
liver dysfunction;
disruptions in the activity of the biliary tract;
hormonal imbalance;
chronic infections;
intoxication (poisoning of the body). The causes of hyperpigmentation can be different – often this is the ingress of toxic substances from the outside or their formation in the body. In the latter case, this is observed during the necrosis and decay of tissues, the decay of a large number of microbial bodies, and so on;
impaired immunity;
pregnancy – with it, hyperpigmentation on the face often occurs.

Hyperpigmentation of the skin: symptoms

Pigmentation can occur anywhere on the skin. Since the most common cause of their appearance is exposure to sunlight, they often form on open areas of the skin: on the hands, feet, neck and face.

Pigmented spots on the skin may vary in:

colors – lighter or darker, up to black;
sizes;
form – from the correct rounded shape to spots with uneven bizarre edges;
quantity – single or multiple.

In relation to the variability of age spots, oncological alertness should be exercised – the pigment tumor melanoma, which can occur, is characterized by a very high degree of malignancy. Therefore, if the pigment spot began to change its contours and color, erosion appeared on it, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnosis

Pigmentation cannot be removed without an accurate diagnosis. It includes not only the identification of areas of hyperpigmentation. Due to the fact that a number of rather serious ailments can lead to the appearance of hyperpigmentation, the examination is often complex and primarily includes the following methods:

ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs – in particular, the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands;
Thyroid ultrasound;
blood test for hormones;
bacterioscopic examination – the study of smears under a microscope to detect infectious pathogens in them.

A comprehensive, rigorous approach to the diagnosis of skin hyperpigmentation is needed, treatment will depend on the diagnosis. To narrow down the range of additional examination methods, it is advisable to contact a therapist who will establish the probable cause of hyperpigmentation and refer you to related specialists.

Skin hyperpigmentation: treatment

The elimination of pigment spots means the elimination of the causes that led to their appearance. If hyperpigmentation of the skin has arisen due to liver disease or hormonal failure, no modern methods for removing spots will help – they will appear again. Therefore, it is important to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment for the underlying disease. In such cases, with successful treatment, age spots will disappear on their own.

Treatment of pigment spots on the skin due to local changes, effective thanks to modern methods. They are:

medicated – with the use of brightening ointments and creams. Practiced to eliminate small, unexpressed areas of hyperpigmentation;
radical – the most popular of them are laser and cryotherapy. Such methods will help to remove even dark age spots.

Treatment of hyperpigmentation should be carried out by qualified specialists in a clinic setting.

Prophylaxis

For the prevention of hyperpigmentation, the following are relevant:

protection of the skin from sun exposure with sunscreen, closed clothing, wide-brimmed hats;
adequate intake of vitamins;
prevention of diseases accompanied by hyperpigmentation, and in case of their occurrence, timely detection and treatment;
measures to enhance the protective properties of the body (normal hardening).

Read more about age spots on the skin, their causes, treatment methods on our clinic website https://www.dobrobut.com/.

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Pigmentation in summer: what to do and how to get rid of age spots on the face and body

Pigmentation on the skin is a fairly common phenomenon. But if cute freckles in a child are perceived by others as an ornament, then for a girl and a woman, brown spots on the body can become a serious cosmetic defect. Such marks become the subject of close attention of the interlocutor.

Important: Pigmented spots on the body can cause complexes, lack of self-attractiveness. Is it worth enduring such inconvenience and risking an emotional background if solving the problem is quite simple?

The specialists of the medical center “Lazersvit” are ready to tell you what kind of protection against pigmentation on the face will be most effective, and how to prevent the appearance of marks in the summer, when the risks of hyperpigmentation are especially high. We also invite all interested persons to visit our clinic for a consultation with a dermatologist and treatment for skin hyperpigmentation.

Pigmentation: Causes

Hyperpigmentation, which appears in summer, is a change in the color of certain areas of the skin. As a rule, the spots are uneven, dark brown, brown or brown-red. They are painless, do not protrude above the surface of the skin, do not increase or slightly change the density of the skin at the site of formation.

And this manifestation is caused by melanocyte cells that produce pigment. When the skin pigment melanin accumulates in a certain area of the epidermis, dark spots appear. It provokes the activation of pigment production by solar radiation. The hereditary factor also plays an important role in these processes. For example, freckles are inherited. And in the summer, they begin to be more noticeable due to the aggressive effects of solar energy. Excess melanin in the human body can also be produced due to unstable hormonal levels and poor ecology.

Pigmentation from the sun most often appears on the face, on the skin in the décolleté area, on the neck, shoulders, and arms. Men, as a rule, do not pay attention to such a “sunny” effect. In children, freckles on the body after sunburn also do not cause psychological discomfort. Well, for girls, age spots and freckles can become a big psychological problem. And attempts to make them up with cosmetics do not give a positive result. After all, the accumulation of melanocytes does not occur on the surface, but in the deep layers of the epidermis.

Types of age spots

Age spots are classified as follows:

Solar lentigo are pigment spots that occur against the background of age-related hormonal changes and excessive sun exposure. Most often, skin defects of this type are located in the upper part of the body – on the shoulders, on the face, on the chest.
Freckles are small spots that appear in groups on the face, back and chest. Such pigmentation of the skin from the sun is the most minor cosmetic defect. Most often, freckles do not require treatment, and when the cold season sets in, when the sun loses its activity, they become less noticeable.
Chloasma is a fairly large, uneven brown spots that appear due to prolonged exposure to the sun, serious hormonal changes.

How to protect yourself from hyperpigmentation in summer?

When experts have named the cause of age spots on the face and body, it remains to be heard how to prevent this effect in the warm season.

It has already been said that stubborn sun spots are due to the active production of melanin provoked by excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays. So, to avoid hyperpigmentation, it is enough to limit exposure to the sun:

Avoid sunbathing on the beach or in the solarium.
Sun exposure without protection should be limited to 5-7 minutes.
Hands, décolleté should be covered with a light cloth. You can protect your face from solar radiation with a wide-brimmed hat, a summer umbrella.
Moisturizing serums with antioxidants can protect the skin from aggressive external influences.

Well, if you still have to stay outdoors in the summer during the daytime, you need to use protective creams with special filters that filter out aggressive ultraviolet radiation.

Methods for the treatment of age spots

Before determining an effective method for treating hyperpigmentation, it is important to determine why a cosmetic defect appeared in a particular patient. If it is solar pigmentation, the chances of complete removal of the defect are much higher than with the appearance of senile or hormonal spots. This is explained by the fact that in the second case it is necessary to check the hormonal background, which may be the cause of the formation of skin pathology.

Important: If the balance of hormones is disturbed, treatment should be complex. It provides for the medical restoration of hormonal levels and the removal of external manifestations. Without this, it will be impossible to get rid of the excessive production of melanin, and the defect will return even after the skin lightening procedure.

As for the therapy itself, the treatment of pigmentation in the summer is carried out in several ways and with a complete rejection of sunbathing for a certain time. After all, it is important to stop the running process of producing melanocytes.

Specialists today offer a large number of procedures and manipulations to remove age spots. And the most popular, versatile and effective are mesotherapy and laser treatment.

Mesotherapy is an injection method for the treatment of various skin pathologies. The essence of the technique is the introduction into the upper and deep layers of the epidermis of special preparations that lighten melanin. To obtain a lasting effect, a course of procedures may be required, which can last for 6-8 weeks. This method is suitable for small spots of light brown or yellow.

Important: Cocktails are prepared by a dermatologist individually for each patient. As a rule, they include vitamin C, linoleic acid, glutathione and several other components.

If you want to remove age spots on the skin from the sun faster, then the laser will do the job best. A special medical device delivers a laser beam of a certain intensity and depth of exposure. The laser beam destroys pigment cells without affecting neighboring tissues. This is a big advantage of the method.

Important: Acupressure is not possible using any other means and methods.

Laser removal of skin pigmentation is so popular that I would like to dwell on this technique in more detail.

Laser Spot Removal

If you have brown spots on your skin after sun exposure, you might want to know more about laser treatment for hyperpigmentation. The method is characterized by high speed, safety, efficiency. Already after 1-2 procedures a positive result is visible. Brown spots become much lighter, and with a shallow occurrence of pigment cells, their complete disappearance is observed.

Important: The laser method completely eliminates infection and bleeding. After all, the beam cauterizes the wound. And since it acts pointwise, there are no scars on the skin.

Another reason to choose this method of treating age spots is the relative painlessness. Laser pulses are so short that pain receptors do not have time to react. Well, if the patient has a low pain threshold, the doctor may suggest a local anesthetic. Immediately after the procedure, the patient can return to his usual way of life.

Important: The person may experience mild burning and discomfort at the site of exposure. In this case, it is necessary to protect the skin with a special regenerating ointment.

The doctor will tell you about postoperative care. But rehabilitation is simple and does not require particularly strict restrictions.

Important: Laser removal of age spots in the summer provides for the refusal to visit the beach, river and pool, prolonged exposure to the sun for a period of complete restoration of the skin. Therefore, if you are not ready for such sacrifices, it is better to postpone the treatment until the fall.

How is the procedure for laser pigmentation removal?

Beforehand, the doctor conducts an examination, examines the condition of the patient’s skin, reveals obvious and hidden defects, and develops a treatment plan. On the day of the manipulation, it is important to abandon decorative cosmetics, the use of creams, lotions.

When the laser is set to the desired mode of operation, the doctor starts the treatment. The laser beam is pointwise directed to the pathological areas of the skin. Impulses destroy pigment cells. And in their place, a new healthy tissue will subsequently appear.

The procedure is not performed for pregnant and lactating mothers, people with skin diseases, with severe mental disorders, patients in a state of alcoholic intoxication. We ask you to take these restrictions seriously and be sure to undergo a preliminary examination by a dermatologist. Otherwise, the medical center for diagnosing moles “Lazersvit” reserves the right to refuse treatment to the visitor.

Is it possible to remove age spots with a laser in summer?

Removal of pigmentation in summer is not forbidden. However, after the procedure, it will be necessary and at the same time difficult to protect the skin from the active sun. Therefore, dermatologists recommend not to rush to remove pigmentation in the summer, but to wait for early autumn. The optimal period for treatment is from September to April.

How to deal with pigmentation on the face in summer: prevention

In order to reduce pigmentation on the face in summer, it is important to avoid exposure to the sun. This recommendation is the main way to prevent the appearance of brown spots. Also in the summer, it is recommended to limit complex cosmetic procedures that can weaken the protective functions of the skin. Paradoxically, after visiting the salon, age spots on the face after sunburn appear much more often.

Frequently asked questions and answers about age spots

How many treatments do you need to completely remove a pigment spot?
Based on the experience of our clinic, it can be determined that 3 or more treatments may be required to remove large brown and red-brown spots on the skin. But it will be possible to say for sure only after a visual examination of the skin by a dermatologist, as well as the first procedure, which will allow us to assess the degree of skin reaction to laser exposure. But it is important to say that even after the first procedure a positive result is achieved.
What is the rehabilitation period?
No special recovery period required. The procedure is carried out on the day of treatment and immediately after it you can return to daily activities. You may need to use protective and restorative creams. In general, after 10-14 days the skin is completely restored.
Can pigmentation be treated at home?
Any qualified dermatologist will tell you that it is impossible to cure hyperpigmentation with folk remedies. Self-medication in the form of various brightening aggressive agents can lead to burns.