What You Should Know About Dark Spots?
Have you ever tried to get rid of dark spots on your own but it never worked out or the black spots kept coming back? Yes! Most of us have been there. The truth is, dark spots on the skin are usually not a serious concern but most people wish to get rid of them for aesthetic reasons.
However, before you talk about clearing those dark spots or hyperpigmentation marks, you need to have a proper understanding of what caused it. Doing that will provide you with information on how to treat or prevent the spots from reoccurring. And this is why we are here.
In this blog post, join us as we deeply explore everything you need to know about dark spots, their causes, treatments, and possible preventions. Also, don’t forget you can also schedule a free online consultation to speak with our experts in case you still need further clarification at the end.
Now, let’s get into it!
What are Dark Spots & Hyperpigmentation?
The terms “Dark spots” and “Hyperpigmentation” are used interchangeably by most people but here’s what you need to know. Hyperpigmentation is a term that describes when some areas of the skin get darker than the rest due to excessive production of melanin which may be triggered by sun exposure, certain medications, injury, some skin conditions, etc.
Whereas Dark Spots are one of the results of hyperpigmentation. Depending on the cause, they could also be referred to as age spots, sun spots, or liver spots. Their color could be black, brown, or gray and they can occur in different parts of the body, especially the face, shoulders, arms, back, etc.
What Causes Dark Spots on the Skin?
There are different causes of dark spots but for this blog post, we’d be exploring the four major triggers of this skin problem.
1. Extended Sun Exposure
If you are the type that stays under the sun a lot, you might be at risk of developing dark spots or sun spots. In this case, those spots will appear mostly on the sun-exposed parts of your skin, especially your face, arms, shoulders, and hands.
Individuals with lighter skin tones or who have had sunburns are at a higher risk of having this problem, especially when they don’t apply their sunscreen. This is why we highly recommend using our 24-hour Sunblock SPF, regardless of your skin tone for full protection.
2. Hormonal Fluctuations
This situation is mostly prevalent in women. During pregnancy, their body experiences hormonal changes which trigger overproduction of melanin pigments, thereby leading to dark patches or spots on their skin. This situation could also be likened to melasma.
3. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots could also appear in the aftermath of inflammatory skin conditions. For instance, acne can leave scars and dark spots on the skin after healing. Other conditions that also exhibit this characteristic are eczema, psoriasis, or when the undergoes injury. Insect bites, burns or cuts could also leave black spots on the skin after healing.
4. Certain Medications
Studies have shown that certain medications make the skin more photosensitive, thereby easily leading to dark spots on sun exposure. Some of these medications include chemotherapy drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, certain oral contraceptives, etc.
Other causes of dark spots on the skin include beauty products that could irritate the skin, diabetes, liver diseases, and skin cancer which is an extreme case.
What is The Best Treatment for Dark Spots?
There are several treatments for dark spots. However, the best treatment may depend on the cause, the area affected, and the extent of the dark spots. Let’s take a look:
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Chemical Peels
This is a cosmetic procedure usually performed by licensed professionals. It involves applying chemical solutions that contain salicylic or glycolic acid to the skin to exfoliate the outer layer, thereby making room for healthier and younger skin.
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Prescription Lightening Products
These products contain active ingredients, such as hydroquinone and retinoids. When used on the skin as recommended, it can lighten out those dark spots. Some of these products include our Bleach Cream, Adi Clear, and Shoval A.
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Over-the-Counter products
This category of product usually does not contain harsh chemicals like prescription products. Rather, they may contain retinoids, alpha hydroxy acid, vitamin C, etc. Some of these include our Shovalit Serum, Shovalit Forte, Vitamin C Moisturizer, Vitamin C from the Sea, and Blanco Cream which is as strong as the prescription creams but contains no hydroquinone.
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Microdermabrasion
Like chemical peels, this procedure is also performed by a licensed professional. It involves using a special device that has an abrasive surface to remove the dead outer layer of the skin. Aside from dark spots, this treatment also encourages collagen production.
Other treatments for dark spots also include Laser therapy to gently burn off the small dark spots. Although, this is not usually recommended in most cases because of the risks involved. Finally, you could employ the use of cosmetics to temporarily cover up the spots.
How To Prevent Dark Spots on the Skin?
As you advance in age, developing dark spots might be inevitable. In this case, they will be known as age spots. Now you might be younger, here are a few ways to stay spotless.
1. Always Use Sunblock
Regardless of whether it is summer, winter, or spring, we recommend using Sunblock at all times. To ease the burden of applying and reapplying, kindly explore our Sunblock SPF which you can only apply once a day.
2. Cover Your Skin
Whenever you are outdoors, especially during summer or hot sun, ensure to wear hats, sunglasses, or long sleeves to reduce the sun’s intensity on your skin. At best, you can also explore SPF fabrics for extra protection.
3.Quality Skincare Routine
To stay ahead of your game, we recommend being committed to a quality skincare routine for spotless and radiant skin. For basics, cleanse, moisturize, and protect with an SPF. If you have any inflammatory skin condition, ensure to get proper treatment.
Last but not least, avoid peak sun hours. The sun’s UV intensity is usually at its peak between 10 AM to 3 PM. So, it’s best if you can stay indoors or under a shade within these periods.
The Bottom Line
Almost everybody is at risk of developing dark spots at some point in their lives. Although the major cause of dark spots is extended sun exposure, other factors such as medications, hormonal changes, injury, and rest may also trigger the appearance of dark spots.
Regardless of what might have caused yours, rest assured we can help restore your spotless skin appearance within a short period. All you need to do is, click the button below to schedule a FREE consultation in extreme cases. But if yours is less severe, you can also explore the different pigmentation treatment kits available on our website.
While having treatment in mind, don’t forget to pay attention to prevention. If you don’t have it now, there are chances you might develop them tomorrow. So, pay attention to having a quality skincare regimen, and let us know how we can help. At Gold Cosmetics, your skin is our top priority. Let us know how we can help!
Not sure which kit is right for you? Click below to send us a photo of your skin issue for a free consultation
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