Darkspots on the skin, also known as hyperpigmentation, occur when certain areas ofthe skin produce more melanin than usual. This can result in patches of skinthat are darker than the surrounding areas. Here are some common causes of the dark spots and their correspondingtreatments.
1. Sun exposure: Ultraviolet rays canincrease melanin production, leading to sunspots ( solar lentigo ). Thesunspots present as discolorations or brown spots to the skin, giving a historyof sudden appearance or worsening of dark spots usually after periods ofincreased sun exposure.
2. Hormonal changes: Conditions like melasmaare often triggered by hormonal fluctuations, such as during pregnancy or frombirth control pills. The melasma presents as light to dark brown patches overthe normal appearing skin with increasing pigments in the epidermis, dermis, orboth.
3. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Darkspots can appear after skin inflammation or injury, such as acne, eczema, orcuts. This tends to improve with timeand usually last from months to years.
4. Aging: As skin ages, it may develop spotsor liver spots.
5. Medical conditions: Certain hormonal andmetabolic diseases, like Addison’s disease or hemochromatosis ( iron overloaddisease ), can cause hyperpigmentation.
6. Medications: Some drugs, like antibioticsor chemotherapy agents, may lead to darks spots as a side effect.
7. Genetic predisposition: Freckles aresmall, flat, brown spots appearing on the skin, often in sun-exposed areas likethe face, arms and shoulders, which are often hereditary.
1. Topical creams:
--depigmenting agent: it is a topical cream that can inhibit the synthesis ofskin pigments. This can be used incombination with mild potency steroid and retinoid as topical triplecombination therapy. Doctor supervisionof the use of the depigmenting cream is highly suggested in view of the risk ofparadoxical repigmentation due to prolonged use.
--retinoids: a class of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A or structurallyrelated to it. It acts to target skin pigmentation via multiple mechanismsresulting in pigment loss. This can be irritating, especially on initial use.
2. Oral medication:
--an antifibrinolytic drug used for hyperpigmentation topically and systemically.Effective in reducing melanin formation and UV-induced hyperpigmentation
3. Procedures
-- Chemical peels: acosmetic treatment using chemical solutions to exfoliate the top layers of theskin. Common ingredients in chemical peels include glycolic acid, TCA(trichloroacetic acid), Jessner solution and salicylic acid ointment. Differentingredients with their concentration account for the variation in the strengthof chemical peel.
--Laser therapy: Effective treatment for removing black spots andhyperpigmentation on the skin by targeting melanin with concentrated beams oflight, breaking it down so the body can naturally eliminate it.
--Q-switched lasers: Example: Nd:YAG , delivers short, high-energy pulses to target themelanin without damaging the surrounding skin
--Fractional lasers: Example: Fraxel , creates microscopic injuries in the skin to promotecollagen production and skin renewal
--IntensePulsed Light ( IPL): not a laser but using broad-spectrum light to targetpigmentation
--PicoLasers: Example: PicoSure, delivers ultra-short pulses of energy to break downpigments more effectively
4. Prevention:
Usebroad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against ultraviolet light radiation which haslong been observed in association with the occurrence of melasma. Minimize the sun exposure in period afterlaser therapy to reduce the risk of re-pigmentation.
