Dark Spots On Skin Causes And Treatment

dark spots on skin causes

Dark spots can be experienced by everyone. Did you know that the appearance of dark spots can lead to photoaging on your skin?

Dark Spots On Skin Causes And Treatment

Photoaging is premature skin aging caused by frequent exposure of the skin to UV A and UV B rays produced by sunlight.

In addition, the main cause of the appearance of dark spots is also caused by intense UV rays exposure to your skin.

Dark Spots On The Skin Causes

Dark spots are a process in which the skin experiences an increase in the production of melanocytes, which causes the darkening of the skin's surface.

Melanocyte cells have a function to produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and serves to protect the skin from radiation. The more melanin in the skin, the darker a person's skin will be.

Usually, the condition of the appearance of dark spots is also known as hyperpigmentation. Several factors can lead the dark spots to appear.

Here are some factors that cause dark spots to appear:

1. Exposure to UV rays

The first cause of the appearance of dark spots, which many people already know, is excessive exposure to UV or ultraviolet rays.

Our skin needs UV rays exposure as long as it is at sufficient levels. However, if your skin gets too much UV exposure, it can trigger the overproduction of melanin and consequently cause dark spots on the skin's surface.

Exposure to direct sunlight or tanning using tools can also cause dark spots to appear. Therefore, always be careful with UV Rays exposure.

2. Diseases and skin problems

Not only caused by external factors but the appearance of dark spots can also be caused by several skin problems or diseases, such as:

• Suffering from liver disease & diabetes
• Post-inflammatory: discoloration, scarring, irritation, rash or eczema, and acne.
• Melasma: usually occurs during pregnancy

3. Effects of drugs

Dark spots can also occur if you take certain medications, especially non-steroids, estrogen, anti-inflammatory drugs, and so on.

Certain medications can increase pigmentation or make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure (also known as photosensitivity).

Apart from the face, can dark spots appear in other areas?

In fact, dark spots appear not only on the face but can appear in several areas of the body, including the back, shoulders, the backs of palms, arms, and other body areas that are frequently exposed to the sun.

Especially for those with darker skin, dark spots that appear will usually fade over time, i.e., within 6 months to 12 months. 

Well, in the facial area, the area near the nose and both cheeks usually have a greater risk of dark spots appearing because these areas are more susceptible to sun exposure.

The best treatment for dark spots on the face

Folk says whenever there is a problem, there is a solution, including the problem of dark spots. Well, if you are struggling with dark spot problems, there are several treatments you can try to help get rid of dark spots, especially on the face.

1. Retinoids

One of the most effective ways to treat dark spots is to use retinoids. Retinoids are active ingredients derived from vitamin A, which increase the turnover of new skin cells so they can fade dark spots over time.

Although retinoids are effective in treating dark spots, it is essential to note that high strength levels or strong retinoids can cause skin irritation.

In addition, the use of retinoids can also increase the sensitivity of the skin to UV exposure. Therefore, it is important to always use sunscreen in the morning and afternoon to protect the skin from UV rays exposure.

2. Exfoliate

One of the most common methods to overcome dark spot problems is to exfoliate regularly. There are two types of exfoliation, called physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation.

Physical exfoliation is done using scrubs or microbeads rubbed into the facial skin. While chemical exfoliation is commonly done by applying active ingredients such as AHA and BHA that work slowly to exfoliate the dead skin cells. 

Many dermatologists currently prefer to use chemical exfoliation such as AHA or BHA since it is considered more effective in removing dead skin cells and helps remove dark spots faster.

In addition, AHAs and BHAs are known to be effective at dissolving the top layer of skin cells without destroying your skin barrier.

3. Keep your body hydrated.

Is that true that not drinking enough water causes dark spots? Yup, that's right. A dehydrated body is known to increase the risk of dark spots, which many people still don't know about.

In addition, research shows that a dehydrated body is more at risk of developing skin problems, such as oily skin, acne, and dark spots.

Therefore, make sure you drink enough water so that the dark spot problem can be overcome.

4. Beauty treatment

If you have tried various ways to get rid of dark spots but have had no results, performing a beauty treatment procedure at a trusted clinic is necessary.

Before doing beauty treatments, the doctor will analyze the cause of dark spots and later decide what kind of treatment is suitable for your problem.

Some beauty procedures often used to treat dark spots are chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser therapy, or other therapies.

How To Prevent Dark Spots?

There is no better way to prevent dark spots than to reduce the intensity of sun exposure and never skip using sunscreen.

Many beauty experts say that one of the most effective ways to prevent the appearance of dark spots on the face is to regularly use sunscreen.

As mentioned above, some parts of the facial skin, especially the cheeks and the area around the nose, are very susceptible to the appearance of dark spots due to UV exposure. 

Therefore, applying sunscreen has become necessary to reduce and combat skin hyperpigmentation or dark spot.

For that, providing extra protection in protecting the skin is very necessary. Look for a sunscreen that can protect the skin from the risk of UVA and UVB exposure simultaneously to avoid the risk of dark spots.

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