Do you have unwanted brown spots, melasma, dark spots or dark patches spreading on your face or other places that are bothering you?
Brown spots, is also known as age spots, dark spots, sun spots, liver spots, lentigines, lentigos are concentrations of melanin trigged by unprotected exposure to the sun over a long period of time. They may also appear on the face and neck because of hormonal changes (which often due to pregnancy) and also appears after cuts and blemishes heal on darker skin.
In fact, a lot of dermatologists prefer to use the term skin sun spots, as these brown spots on skin because they are directly associated with skin damage from sun exposure. Because sun radiation is one of the responsible for most of the unpleasant skin conditions as appearance of brown spots, appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, sagging of the skin, premature aging, enlargement of blood capillaries on the face.
Why most people see brown spots as old age spots, actually it is because older people had more time exposed to the damaging rays of the sun, and are more likely to have harmed their skin that is why brown spots may appear on the face, back, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands of the older peoples.
And do you know that those darker skinned people have higher melanin production and, therefore, suffer less sun damage. People with light skin, that easily burn, are more likely to need to get rid of age spots. If you have light skin, you are likely to suffer from sun spots much younger than most of your peers.
The Cause of Brown spots:
* Sun exposure (sun damage, much like a freckle that appears after a summer in the sun.)
* Aging
* Genetics
* Hormones and Menopause (Hormonal changes during menopause also can play a role in discolored skin)
* Pregnancy (Hormonal changes during pregnancy play a role in discolored skin)
* Stress
* Improper skincare (some over-the-counter skin lighteners can actually darken certain skin)
* Weak liver function (The liver helps filter your blood, removing harmful chemicals that contain free radicals, if your liver isn't doing its job, several external signs revolve around your skin: rashes, itchy skin and brown spots)
* Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (Hyper-pigmentation is characterized by pockets of discolored skin that remain even after pimples or skin bumps have disappeared.)
*A lack of vitamin C or B12
* Smoking
* Birth control pills
* Result of acne (picking of pimples or zits can result in permanent scarring because after blemishes heal the skin become darker.)
The prevention:
1. Wear protecting clothing, sunglass or use an umbrella while outdoors.
2. Use sunscreen (with SPF 15 or higher) to your hands, arms, face, daily whether you plan to go outside or not. - As you should protect yourself from the sun that darkens your skin.
3. Wear clothing that is both light-colored. The light color reflects the sun’s ray, rather than absorbing it.
Treatment:
A cream prescribes by a dermatologist with a higher concentration of lightening agent.
Laser therapy is the fastest and easiest way to get rid of brown spots, red spots and age spots. A laser generates and intense beam of light. This beam brings energy to a specific site, through a small hand piece connected to the laser. The laser light is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin (bright red blood cells carrying oxygen) and melanin/pigment (black or brown pigment found in the skin) causing decomposition or destruction by heat of unwanted cells while leaving healthy cells intact. Treatment with the laser is more comfortable and requires less recovery time than some other treatment methods. In 70 percent of the cases the brown spots are completely removed after only one treatment.
Chemical peel also works great for those with many brown spots. A chemical peel is another safe and effective form of treatment for many pigmentation problems. An acid is used to remove the surface layer of the damaged skin with light peeling. After the treatment, the dead skin peels away, allowing healthier, clearer skin to emerge. The acids typically used in this type of peel are natural fruit acids, otherwise known as alpha hydroxyl acids. The chemical peel will lighten brown spots and even out other irregularities in pigmentation to give the skin a more uniform color.
Microdermabrasion is another way to remove brown spots. The microdermabrasion procedure uses highly controlled vacuum and pressure to move microscopically abrasive aluminum oxide crystals over the surface of the skin. It gently abrading the skin with ultra-fine crystal particulates, microdermabrasion can reduce unwanted pigmentary changes and age spots. Microdermabrasion is absolutely painless. The face, neck, chest and hands are the most popular areas to treat. A progressive series of 5-8 treatments are gently performed 2-4 weeks apart. It can also benefit our acne patients.
Home treatment:
The best over the counter product with ingredients such Hydroquinone, Glycolic acid, and Kojic acid can be effective in reducing the appearance of lighter-colored age spots.
Use a skin lightening product - Skin lightening products offer a very effective and safe method of treating dark spots, aging spots, and skin decorations
Use a creams that contain an antioxidant called coenzyme Q10 may help lighten dark skin spots caused by the sun. Research has shown that creams containing COQ10 reduce general sun damage by about 30 percent after six weeks of use.
Use a cream that contains cyperus rotundus or nut-grass extract. Inhibiting melanin production will lighten dark skin spots, but it will also lighten the surrounding area. Women often use it to lighten their faces. It works in just a few weeks.
Application of Vitamin E oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sandalwood oil or almond oil is known to be very beneficial in curing the black spots on skin. Massage it well over the affected area.
DIY 1:
½ tsp of olive oil,
A drop of lemon essential oil,
1 tsp of warm water
- Pour about half a teaspoon of olive oil, one teaspoon of water, and a drop of lemon essential oil into a small bottle and shake it vigorously. This will allow the oils and the water to combine to form a milky emulsion.
- Apply to your face, neck, and arms.
DIY 2:
- Buttermilk
Dab buttermilk on the spots. The lactic acid and other ingredients in the milk are beneficial to the skin. Buttermilk has been used for generations as a skin cleanser and as a beauty aid.
DIY 3:
- Aloe vera juice or gel
Rub fresh aloe vera juice or gel on spots twice a day for a month or two. Aloe vera gel is famous for promoting great looking skin and, if used twice per day, will gradually fade dark spots. Aloe vera is excellent for healing burns and is also beneficial as a general healing agent.
Avoid:
Avoid skincare products contain petroleum-based alcohols, which can cause uneven skin tone like *Ethyl *Methyl *Isopropyl *Denatured alcohol
Avoid all processed foods. Also steer clear of the beer - the hops in beer is known to cause dark spots on your skin.
Avoid sweets, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and junk foods.
Avoid midday sun.
Stop smoking.
Diet:
Improve your diet to include fruits and vegetables, especially in raw form.
Drink 8 eight ounce glasses of water daily.
****The most you can do on your own is to prevent further sun damage with skin protection and sunscreen. So consult a dermatologist to determine the best advice because a dermatologist can recommend more effective ways to deal with them.
