Get rid of brown skin spots with these methods!

Eliminating brown spots on the skin: The creation of brown spots on the skin, which is also called hyperpigmentation, occurs due to the excessive production of melanin. Melanin plays a role in the formation of eye, skin and hair color. Dark spots on the skin can appear at any time, but most often appear in middle age. They are caused by exposure to sunlight or the artificial ultraviolet (UV) rays used in tanning beds.

For this reason, these spots are often seen on the face or other areas that are exposed to sunlight. Brown spots on the skin of the feet, hands, face, etc. are usually not alarming and do not require treatment. However, you may want to remove them because of the effect they have on your appearance. In this article of the make-up and beauty section of Cheshk news magazine, while examining the causes of brown spots on the skin, we explain the solutions to remove brown spots on the skin.

In which parts of the body do skin spots appear more?

Dark spots on the skin can range from light brown to dark brown. They also vary in size and may appear anywhere on the body, but they usually appear in areas that are exposed to sunlight more. Brown spots are more common in the following areas:

• behind the hands
• the face
• waist
• shoulders
• the arms

Brown spots on the skin of the hands and other parts of the body are flat, oval and small. But sometimes, several spots join together and change the color of larger areas of the skin. Skin spots are often harmless; However, in some cases they may be cancerous. This is why it is important to consult your doctor if you notice any new or unusual symptoms.

Causes of brown spots on the skin

There are various reasons for the formation of brown spots on the skin of the abdomen and other parts of the body, which we will discuss in the following article.

Sunlight

Sun and solarium are the most important causes of brown spots on the skin. For this reason, these spots are more common in parts of the body that are often exposed to sunlight (such as the face, hands or arms).

Hyperpigmentation often occurs during middle age, when your skin begins to show the effects of sun exposure. This is especially true if you didn't use sunscreen consistently when you were younger. People who have light hair or skin and have had many or severe sunburns are more at risk of this problem than others.

Hormonal changes

Melasma is a skin disease that causes small spots on the skin. This complication is more common in women, especially during pregnancy. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hormones may trigger the formation of melasma.

Side effects of drugs

Some medications cause dark spots because they increase skin pigmentation or make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. These drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tetracycline antibiotic, psychotropic drugs (treatment of mental disorders), phenytoin (anticonvulsant) and amiodarone (treatment of irregular heartbeat).

inflammation

Brown spots on the skin can develop after a period of inflammation. Inflammation can occur for a variety of reasons, including: eczema, psoriasis, infection, allergic reaction, and acne.

wound healing

Sometimes, dark spots remain on the skin after an insect bite, burn, or cut has healed. These spots may fade over time.

skin irritation

In some people, skin or hair care products can irritate the skin and cause dark spots.

Diabetes and other diseases

Diabetes can also contribute to skin darkening. Problems related to diabetes, including acanthosis nigricans, cause darkening and thickening of some areas of the skin. Some people may confuse dark spots caused by this disease with age spots.

There are other diseases that can cause brown spots on the skin, such as liver disease, Addison's disease, hemochromatosis, and pituitary tumors.

Removing brown skin spots

Choosing the best treatment option depends on the cause of the spot, its size and the area of ​​the body that it has affected. Some dark spots, including those from acne, may fade on their own over time. Some of them can be removed with local treatments, but it often takes several months. More specialized solutions such as cryosurgery, laser therapy, and chemical peels can usually remove dark spots completely, but may not be a good option for people with sensitive skin.

Medical procedures

A dermatologist may recommend one of the following methods to treat brown spots on the face and other areas of the body:

1. laser therapy; In this method, light targets melanin and removes dark spots. Side effects of laser therapy include bruising, swelling, redness, scarring, infection, and changes in skin texture.
2. microdermabrasion; The dermatologist uses a special device that has an abrasive surface to remove the outer layer of the skin. This treatment stimulates the formation of new collagen, which may help reduce blemishes. After microdermabrasion, the skin may be pink for a while, but in general, this technique is considered low risk.
3. chemical peeling; The surface of the skin is exfoliated using a solution to gradually remove the brown spots. Skin irritation is one of the possible side effects of chemical peeling.
4. cryosurgery; Cryosurgery removes age spots by freezing. Possible risks include permanent whitening of the treated areas.
5. skin lightening creams (prescription needed); Hydroquinone, which is the active ingredient in lightening creams, gradually reduces the production of melanin, causing the brown spots on the skin to fade. Long-term use of products containing this substance is dangerous and may increase the risk of cancer in high concentrations. For this reason, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has limited the concentration of hydroquinone to 3-4% in prescription products and 2% in over-the-counter (OTC) products.

These days, injectable skin lightening products are available, but the FDA does not recommend them. Because there is not enough evidence about the performance and risks of these products.

Home remedies

In addition to medical methods and prescription medications, the following home remedies may also be effective in removing brown spots and skin care:

1. Over-the-counter creams; Non-prescription creams that contain retinol, alpha hydroxy acid, etc. and types of anti-blemish creams are less powerful than prescription drugs. Side effects (including redness, swelling, and skin irritation) can occur with any topical medication. Lightening products usually make the skin very sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Therefore, it is essential to use a sunscreen with a suitable SPF during treatment.
2. natural treatments; Products containing natural ingredients may be effective in removing skin blemishes. According to researchers, niacinamide (vitamin B3), soy, and licorice extract can help treat dark spots on the skin. Using aloe vera gel can also reduce melasma during pregnancy.
3. make up products; Makeup cannot lighten brown spots on the skin, but concealer may help cover the spots.

Some home remedies may not be effective or even cause complications. Examples include lemon and apple cider vinegar, which have no evidence of effectiveness. In some cases, unproven treatments exacerbate skin problems. For this reason, experts do not recommend using lime juice or abrasive scrubs; Because they can make dark spots worse.

Some skin lightening products do more harm than good. Many of them contain ingredients that can harm your skin or overall health, such as mercury or steroids. Using these products over time causes acne and skin rashes and makes the skin fragile, which makes you need other care products such as anti-acne creams and gels.

When should we see a doctor?

Often, dark spots on the skin are not harmful. But in some cases, it's hard to tell the difference between a dark spot and other skin changes like melanoma (a type of skin cancer). If you are not sure what is the origin of brown spots on your skin or home remedies are not able to remove them, see a doctor. It is recommended to consult a doctor in the following cases:

• Sudden appearance of dark spots
• itching
• tingling
• Bleeding
• Change in color or size of spots

How to prevent brown spots on the skin?

Sometimes, there is no way to prevent dark spots. For example, pregnancy-related hormonal changes that may lead to melasma cannot be prevented. However, you can minimize the possibility of this problem by taking the following steps:

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even when the sun is not strong. Don't forget to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours.
• For added protection, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Take the treatment of skin diseases such as acne seriously. These diseases may change skin color due to inflammation.
• Avoid it from 10 am to 4 pm when the sunlight is very intense.