Dark spots on the skin: Causes, treatments, and remedies

Dark spots on the skin, or hyperpigmentation, occur due to an overproduction of melanin. Melanin gives the eyes, skin, and hair their color.

Dark spots on the skin are not a cause for concern and do not need treatment, though people may choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons. Depending on the cause, people may call some types of dark spots on the skin age spots or sunspots.

In this article, we look at what causes dark spots on the skin and how people can remove them using dermatological treatments and home remedies.

Share on PinterestDark spots are common on the face, shoulders, and back of the hands.

Dark spots on the skin can range from light brown to dark brown. The color of dark spots may depend on the tone of a person’s skin. The spots are the same texture as the skin and are not painful.

Dark spots also vary in size and can develop on any part of the body but are most common in areas often exposed to the sun.

Dark spots are common in the following areas:

• back of the hands
• face
• back
• shoulders

In people with darker skin, a spot that is a few shades darker than the skin usually fades away within 6 to 12 months. Deeper coloration can take years to fade. Deep color changes often appear blue or gray, though a spot may also be a much darker brown than a person’s natural skin color.

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.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hormones may trigger melasma.

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

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.

Share on PinterestLaser treatment can remove dark spots on the skin.

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.

A dermatologist may recommend one of the following treatments for dark spots on the skin:

Laser treatment

Different types of lasers are available. The most common laser to treat dark spots on the skin uses an intense pulse light laser. The light targets melanin and breaks up the dark spots.

Microdermabrasion

During microdermabrasion, a dermatologist uses a special device that has an abrasive surface to remove the outer layer of the skin. This treatment promotes new collagen growth, which may help reduce spots.

Chemical peels

A chemical peel involves applying a solution to the skin, which exfoliates the surface, leading to new skin growth. It may gradually fade dark spots on the skin.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a procedure that involves applying liquid nitrogen to the dark patches to freeze them, which injures the skin cells. The skin often heals lighter afterward.

Prescription skin-lightening cream

Prescription-lightening cream 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.

Injectable skin lightening products are available, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not recommend them. There is not enough evidence to suggest that they work, and there may be associated health risks.

In addition to dermatological procedures and prescription medications, people may find that some home remedies might fade dark spots on the skin, as the following sections discuss.

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.

Natural remedies

Products with certain natural ingredients may help treat dark spots on the skin.

Researchers published a systematic review of clinical studies that used natural products to treat dark spots on the skin. They looked at several ingredients including niacinamide (a form of vitamin B-3), soy, licorice extracts, and mulberry.

Although studies were limited, the researchers said that these natural treatments showed promise in lightening hyperpigmentation.

Results of a small-scale 2017 study suggest that applying an aloe vera gel to the skin could help reduce melasma during pregnancy after 5 weeks.

Cosmetics

Although cosmetics do not lighten dark spots, they might cover them up. People can consider using a cream-based concealer to decrease the appearance of spots.

People may wish to keep in mind that many of the home remedies that webpages recommend may have side effects or no evidence of effectiveness. Examples include lemon and apple cider vinegar. No studies back the claims that these treatments work.

In some cases, unproven treatments may aggravate the skin. For example, the American Society for Dermatological Surgery do not recommend lemon juice or abrasive scrubs, as these methods could make dark spots worse.

Some skin lightening products can do more harm than good. Many contain ingredients that can harm the skin or overall health, such as mercury or steroids. Applying these can cause pimples, rashes, and fragile skin over time.

Share on PinterestA doctor or dermatologist may use a Wood’s lamp skin exam to diagnose dark spots on the skin.

A doctor or dermatologist can often work out the cause of dark spots on the skin by examining them and taking a medical history.

During a physical exam, the healthcare professional might perform a Wood’s lamp skin exam, where they view the spots through a special device that emits black light.

In some instances, specific characteristics of a spot might require more tests to make sure skin cancer is not causing the spot.

Anyone can develop dark spots on the skin. Certain risk factors appear to increase a person’s chances including:

• sun exposure
• pregnancy
• skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis
• trauma or injury to the skin
• medications that increase pigmentation
• liver disease
• diabetes

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.

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

Learn about how to identify melanoma and other forms of skin cancer here.

Dark spots on the skin, or hyperpigmentation, can have a range of causes. They are usually harmless and do not need treatment. If a person wants to get rid of dark spots, they can try a range of treatments, including working with a dermatologist for cosmetic procedures or using over-the-counter products.

The effectiveness of treatment may depend on the cause of the dark spots and their extent. Dark spots on the skin may not completely fade. It may take a while to see a difference, but treatment often lightens the spots.

Read the article in Spanish.

Pictures, causes, and when to see a doctor

Changes in skin pigmentation can happen for many reasons, including birthmarks, pigmentation disorders, rashes, and infections. An increase in melanin, for example, can cause brown or dark patches to appear.

Skin contains melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its color. Having more melanin makes the skin darker, while less of it results in lighter skin. Melanin is also responsible for hair and eye color.

Patches of discolored skin are noticeable because they differ from a person’s normal skin tone. They may be lighter, darker, or a different color, such as red, gray, or blue.

It is important that people with this symptom understand the cause of their discolored skin patches in case treatment is necessary.

This article explores the various causes of discolored skin patches and explains which of them require treatment.

Discolored skin patches have many different causes, including:

• birthmarks
• skin pigmentation disorders
• skin rashes
• skin infections
• skin cancers
• medical conditions

We look at each one of these in more detail below.

Birthmarks

Birthmarks are patches of discoloration that people have when they are born. Some types of birthmark fade over time, while others may be permanent.

Birthmarks are either vascular or pigmented. Vascular birthmarks are red, and they occur due to abnormal blood vessels in the skin.

Types of vascular birthmark include:

• Strawberry nevus. Also called a hemangioma, this is a common type of vascular birthmark. It appears as a red patch and is most common on the face, scalp, chest, and back. A strawberry nevus does not usually require treatment.
• Salmon patch. Also called a nevus simplex, this flat red or pink patch of skin typically occurs on the neck or forehead. Up to 40 percent of all babies are born with this type of birthmark.
• Port wine stain. This is a noticeable flat red or purple birthmark. Some port wine stains may require treatment, which might include laser treatment or cosmetic camouflage.

Pigmented birthmarks are generally white, brown, blue, or gray. They result from a problem with the melanin in the skin.

Types of pigmented birthmark include:

• Mongolian blue spots. These are blue or gray patches that may be present on the back and buttocks at birth. Babies with darker skin are more likely to have these birthmarks. Mongolian blue spots often fade as the child grows.
• Moles. These are black or brown spots that are usually harmless. However, it is best to see a doctor if a mole changes shape, size, or texture.
• Café-au-lait spot. These appear as light brown skin patches on light skin or black coffee-colored patches on dark skin. Café-au-lait spots are often oval-shaped and may fade as the child grows.

Skin pigmentation disorders

If a person has lighter or darker skin patches, this may signify a skin pigmentation disorder. Type of skin pigmentation disorder include:

Melasma. This is a common skin condition that usually affects facial skin and causes brown patches. It affects women more often than men. Triggers of melasma can include sun exposure and hormonal changes.

Vitiligo. This disease can affect any part of the body. It causes the cells that produce melanin, known as melanocytes, to stop working correctly, which results in patches of lighter skin. Sometimes, it will also change a person’s hair color. The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, but a problem with the immune system may be responsible.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This is a temporary increase or decrease in skin pigment following skin trauma, such as a blister or burn.

Albinism. People with albinism do not produce enough melanin. This leads to little or no pigment in the skin, hair, or eyes. Albinism is a genetic disorder, meaning that a person inherits a faulty gene from one or both of their parents.

Skin rashes

Some types of skin rash can also cause patches of discolored skin. These include:

• Rosacea. This is a chronic skin condition that can cause raised patches of red skin and pus-filled lesions. It typically affects the forehead, cheeks, and nose.
• Psoriasis. This is a skin condition that causes silvery-red, crusty, flaky patches of skin, which can appear anywhere on the body. Doctors believe that psoriasis may result from a problem with the immune system.
• Contact dermatitis. This rash happens when the skin reacts to an irritant or allergen.
• Eczema. Also known as atopic dermatitis, this condition can cause patches of red skin that is also itchy, dry, and cracked. These patches may sometimes ooze and then form a crust. The cause of eczema is unclear, but it can run in families and is more common in people who have asthma, hay fever, and other allergies.

Skin infections

Certain skin infections may also cause discoloration, such as:

• Tinea versicolor. This is a fungal skin infection that can cause patches of skin to become lighter or darker. These patches usually develop slowly and can sometimes merge to form larger patches. Tinea versicolor tends to affect the trunk, neck, and upper arms.
• Ringworm. Also known as tinea, this is a fungal skin infection that causes red or silver ring-shaped patches of skin. These patches may be scaly, dry, or itchy. Ringworm can appear on most parts of the body, including the scalp, groin, feet, hands, and nails.
• Candidiasis of the skin. This is a fungal skin infection that causes red, itchy skin patches. It often occurs in areas where the skin folds, such as the armpits and groin.

Skin cancers

In rare cases, skin cancer can cause patches of discoloration. Types of skin cancer include:

• Actinic keratosis. These are dry, scaly, pre-cancerous skin patches. Without treatment, they may progress to squamous cell carcinoma.
• Basal cell carcinoma. These are flesh-colored, pearl-like, pink skin patches or bumps. Basal cell carcinomas are the most common form of skin cancer.
• Squamous cell carcinoma. These are red bumps, sores, or scaly patches, which may heal and then re-open. Squamous cell carcinomas are the second most common type of skin cancer.
• Melanoma. This cancer may develop in existing moles or appear as new dark spots. Melanomas are the most severe form of skin cancer, and early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial.

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions, including the following, may cause discolored patches of skin:

• Cyanosis. Insufficient oxygen in the blood can cause the skin and lips to appear blue or purple. Cyanosis that occurs suddenly could be a sign of a problem with the heart, lungs, or airways. This is a medical emergency, and a person should seek immediate medical attention.
• Lupus. This is a complex autoimmune condition that may cause a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks.

Undiagnosed or untreated diabetes can also cause changes in the skin, such as:

• yellow, reddish, or brown patches of skin
• dark, velvety patches of skin
• thick, hard patches of skin
• blisters
• shin spots

Other causes

If discolored skin patches appear suddenly and then disappear, there may be a simple explanation.

Causes of temporary patches or blotches of red skin include:

• blushing
• exercising
• sunburn

Causes of temporary patches of pale skin include:

• dehydration
• nausea
• low blood sugar
• cold weather conditions

If a new patch of discolored skin appears and does not go away, it is best to see a doctor. It is also important to seek medical attention if a mole changes size, shape, or texture.

To diagnose discolored patches of skin, a doctor may ask the individual about:

• pre-existing medical conditions
• when and how quickly the discolored patch of skin appeared
• whether the discolored patch of skin has changed since it first appeared
• any related symptoms

The doctor may examine the affected skin under a lamp. They may also need to carry out further tests, such as blood tests and a skin biopsy. The skin biopsy will involve the doctor taking a small sample of skin and examining it under a microscope.

The treatment for discolored skin depends on the cause.

If a person has an underlying health condition, the doctor will recommend the best course of treatment for that condition. Treating the underlying condition often resolves any associated skin problems.

If the underlying cause is skin cancer, it is vital that the person has treatment as soon as possible.

Birthmarks and skin pigmentation disorders do not usually require treatment. However, some people may wish to have treatment for cosmetic reasons. Treatment options include laser treatment, chemical peels, and topical creams.

Lemon juice or castor oil may also help to reduce the appearance of discolored skin patches. Alternatively, people can use makeup to camouflage the affected skin.

It is not possible to prevent all causes of discolored patches of skin.

However, sun protection may reduce the risk of melasma, sunburn, and skin cancer. People can protect themselves from the sun by:

• using sunscreen
• staying out of the midday sun
• covering up with loose clothing

There are many possible causes of discolored skin patches. Some causes, such as birthmarks, are not harmful and may not require treatment. Others, such as skin cancer and cyanosis, are likely to require immediate treatment.

It is essential to see a doctor if any new discolored patches of skin appear or if existing moles change in any way. This helps to make early diagnosis and treatment possible, which often leads to a better outlook.

Age spots on the body: treatment, causes, symptoms

Age spots are harmless and do not cause any particular inconvenience, except that they spoil the appearance and contribute to the development of complexes and self-doubt. To understand how to deal with them, in this article we will first find out the reasons for their appearance, and then we will figure out how to get rid of unnecessary pigmentation.

What are age spots?

Age spots are flat, often rounded, areas of the skin that differ in color from the rest of the skin and stand out on it. If you find a spot on your body that differs in color from the rest of the skin, then this is a pigment spot. There may be several such spots.

So why do these spots appear? First of all, this is due to the fact that skin pigmentation is impaired.

Causes of hyperpigmentation.

In men and women, pigmented formations appear for several reasons.

• Exposure to UV rays in a solarium or outdoors. Due to the fact that when exposed to ultraviolet rays, the skin synthesizes melanin, just a tan appears. But, if you abuse the stay in the sun or in the solarium, then there is excessive pigmentation.
• Pigmentation may be caused by hormonal changes. The point is again in melanin, for the production of which, last but not least, the endocrine glands responsible for the synthesis of hormones are responsible.
• Pregnancy can provoke the appearance of spots, in which powerful hormonal changes occur.
• Pigmentation may appear after injury. The integrity of the skin is broken, and post-traumatic hyperpigmentation occurs.
• Some medications cause the side effect of excessive skin pigmentation.
• Liver diseases very often affect the appearance, including the appearance of age spots.
• Poor-quality and incorrectly selected cosmetics contribute to changes in the skin.
• Various inflammations are a concomitant factor for pigmentation.
• Hormonal contraceptive pills provoke unnecessary pigmentation.
• Sometimes there is a hereditary factor.

These are the main reasons, there are others, for example, the performance of cosmetic procedures by people who do not have the appropriate professional skills and specialization.

What are age spots?

Chloasma – brown or light brown patches of uneven shape. They are in the nature of focal hyperpigmentation of different sizes with clear boundaries. For the most part, such spots appear in diseases of the internal organs.

How to treat age spots?

Today there are several ways to treat hyperpigmentation.

There are also folk remedies, but not only do they not give a guaranteed result, but they can also harm the skin.

The best and most reliable way is laser treatment or phototherapy. It’s fast and efficient. In
our clinic of laser cosmetology “Laser Estctic” we use modern laser devices Candela and Lumenis IPL QUANTUM, which are
recognized as the safest in the world, to remove age spots! Call us or leave a request on the website to sign up for
procedure.

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Age spots on the body and face: why they appear and how to get rid of them

Age spots are areas of the skin that have darkened for various reasons. They have a brown tint and noticeably differ in color from the surrounding tissues. Unlike skin changes caused by infections, injuries, or a fungus, age spots never become inflamed, so they are considered a purely cosmetic defect.

At the same time, in addition to worsening the appearance, age spots also cause other problems, often complicated by dryness and roughness of the skin, wrinkles, etc., which is why they are trying to get rid of them.

Causes of age spots

The color of human skin depends on the concentration of pigments. Lack or excess of melanin, carotene and other pigment substances leads to the formation of pigment spots of different colors and sizes. Colored areas of the skin can be congenital or appear with age. Often starts the ultraviolet process – when tanning in the sun or in a solarium. This is due to the fact that melanin, which gives brown color, protects the skin from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The more it gets on the skin, the more melanin is produced.

There are many other reasons due to which age spots form on the face and body. Often this is a consequence of serious disorders in the body. Therefore, if you notice new age spots in yourself, you should consult a doctor. The production of pigments is enhanced by:

• Natural and premature aging.

• Hormonal problems associated with thyroid diseases, pituitary tumors.

• Liver diseases.

• Neuropsychiatric disorders.

• Avitaminosis, metabolic disorders.

• Gynecological diseases.

Drugs and cosmetics can provoke a problem. Also, age spots are not uncommon during pregnancy.

Do not confuse age spots and malignant neoplasms of the skin – these are completely different processes. If age spots can be left untouched or removed, and in both cases this will not affect general health, then oncological formations require long-term, serious treatment.

Types of age spots and methods for their removal

Brown spots can be small, large, single and multiple. They can have a different shape, usually close to oval, and a different color from light red to dark brown. The most common age spots are freckles, birthmarks, and age spots.

Freckles. This type of pigmentation is characteristic of fair-skinned people. Freckles usually appear on open areas of the body – the face, arms, ears, upper back and chest. Their color changes depending on the intensity of the sun. It is believed that freckles are caused by an uneven distribution of pigment in the skin, so over time, when the body gets stronger and adapts, they turn pale or completely disappear. Many girls, especially red-haired ones, go for freckles – they give individuality, but this is not always the case. Too contrasting and extensive pigmentation is a reason for complexes, so they are “brought out”.

Freckles can be removed in many ways. Traditional medicine, for example, recommends using parsley juice for skin whitening. Of course, this method will not work immediately – it will take several months. Cosmetology offers much more effective methods. You can quickly reduce freckles with the help of chemical peeling with a base of fruit or lactic acids or laser skin resurfacing.

Birthmarks. Moles (nevi) can form anywhere on the body. They are uniform in shape and rather dark in color. Unlike freckles, melanin, which forms a pigment spot, is located in several layers of the skin, so removing a mole is more difficult than freckles. Moles have one feature – they can degenerate into cancer, so it is recommended to remove large and suspicious formations. They also remove birthmarks located in places of contact with the seams of clothing, belts and in areas subjected to shaving. An injured mole is a gateway for infection: it can become inflamed, bleed and get wet.

A direct indication for contacting the clinic is a change in the shape, volume and color of the birthmark. Especially dangerous are black and asymmetrical moles, bleeding or flaky spots with cracks.

Moles without signs of oncology are removed with liquid nitrogen, diathermocoagulation or laser. Laser removal of birthmarks pigment spots is most preferable, as it does not injure the surrounding tissues and does not leave scars. And removing moles with a laser does not hurt at all, so many patients choose this particular technique.

Age spots. Unfortunately, these signs of impending old age cannot be prevented. Lentigo – this is the name of this type of pigmentation – appears in people after 40 years. Such age spots are especially noticeable during menopause, when pigmentation is spurred on by hormonal changes. Lentigo is localized, like freckles, in places where the skin was exposed to constant solar radiation – on the face, arms, chest and back. Women, noticing such pigmentation, are upset, because it is impossible to hide brown spots and they clearly give out age.

Age pigmentation can be removed only by cosmetic methods – traditional medicine will not help here. You can try medium or deep chemical peels or low-impact laser removal. The advantage of the latter method is undeniable – after the procedure, only a slight redness remains in place of the spots, which quickly disappears. With a deep chemical peel, the cosmetologist completely removes the top layer of the skin, so it will take at least a month to recover.

Large pigment spots. Melasma is a significant cosmetic defect. Unlike moles, such age spots have an uneven shape and look very unattractive. Their coloration intensifies in the sun – in spring and summer, and in winter the pigmentation subsides. Large age spots are a sign of hormonal changes, so they often occur during pregnancy, taking hormones, and the onset of menopause.

Large age spots can go away on their own, but women do not want to wait for this moment, so many resort to the help of a beautician. Light peeling, special whitening masks, laser skin resurfacing, etc. can reduce the color of such spots.

Treatment of age spots

Age spots can be removed only in the clinic after examination by a specialist. The doctor evaluates the depth and size of pigmentation, the quality of education, excluding the oncological process. After that, a decision is made on the removal method. If earlier a scalpel and concentrated acids and alkalis were used for these purposes, now medicine offers much more gentle and effective methods.

• Chemical peeling and dermabrasion remove extensive pigment spots, the superficial “dead” layer of the skin. The result is a beautiful complexion, reduction of deep wrinkles. The technique is traumatic, therefore it is recommended for older women with significant skin changes.

• Microminiaturization is suitable for spot removal of deep pigmentation. The technique involves the vacuum introduction of the active drug into the skin.

• Mesotherapy is a complex injection technique. Suitable for improving skin color, its vitaminization and healing.

• Photoremoval and laser exposure is used for any type of skin and age spots of any size.