The appearance of spots on the skin, whether due to excessive sun or hormonal changes, age or other reasons, worries 72% of women between 20 and 60 years old.
Skin stains do not look nice. They age, and they look ugly depending on where they appear. But currently, there are different treatments to eliminate them, although for prevention – protecting the skin adequately from the sun’s rays is good, and periodic examination to detect changes in them are precautions that go beyond aesthetics. They can facilitate an early diagnosis in case any of the spots are malignant.
Here we explain everything you need to know about spots on the skin.
What type of spots do you have on your skin?
These are the main types:
Senile lentigos or “age spots”
Larger than freckles, brownish-yellow in colour and rounded or oval in shape. Over time they increase in number, in size and become darker. They appear mainly in brown and medium skin.
Why are they formed? They come out around the age of 50 due to ageing, especially in areas exposed to sunlight, such as the hands or neckline.
Acne spots or eczema
They are located in any area of the face or body, where the affection took place, even if the sun did not shine.
Why are they formed? This type of spot is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and comes out after an acute or chronic inflammation due to acne, herpes, burns, etc.
Photosensitizing melanosis
They come out in the areas most exposed to the sun, especially on the face and décolleté.
Why are they formed? The spots appear from using perfumes while sunbathing or from some medications (oral contraceptives, antihistamines, antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, etc.).
When can they be dangerous?
Although these types of spots are benign, it is convenient that you review them periodically to see if they have changed in appearance or grown in size.
If you notice any of the following characteristics, go to a dermatologist:
- Appearance. It is asymmetrical, one half of the stain does not look like the other; the edge is irregular; it has changed colour or has several different shades (brown, reddish, blackish, etc.); or measures over 6mm in diameter.
- Inconvenience. It stings, hurts, bleeds, or has swelling, redness, or hardening.
- They increase. In number or size.
Before carrying out anti wrinkle injections or any treatment to lighten or eliminate stains, you should consult a specialist, who will rule out or confirm whether any spots may be malignant. Think that 90% of skin cancer cases could be cured if they were diagnosed early.
How to prevent their appearance?
If you want to keep your skin blemish-free, take the following precautions, especially in summer, when sun exposure is greatest:
- Use SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen, even on cloudy days and even under an umbrella, on the face and the most exposed areas, such as cleavage and hands; wear it 365 days a year before leaving home.
- Do not handle acne pimples or pimples, because they can end up leading to dark spots.
- Avoid wearing colognes, perfumes and makeup if you are going to sunbathe.
- If you are taking any medication, try not to expose yourself to the sun, as you have a higher risk of dark spots, itching and rashes.
- Especially protect areas irritated by waxing, especially if you use wax. And try to wax at least 24 hours before sunbathing.
- If you have recent injuries from burns, herpes, scars, etc., in addition to using a high sunscreen, it is recommended that you cover them with patches or silicone bands to prevent them from darkening and turning into spots. Also, in these cases, the skin is more sensitive and can burn more easily.
What treatments exist to “erase” them?
Once the dermatologist has ruled out any malignant lesions, you have several options to reduce the spots on the skin:
1. Depigmenting creams
It is preferable to start the treatment in autumn when the radiation is not so intense and the skin is much less exposed to the sun. It is advisable to use them at night. However, if your skin is resistant, you can also use it in the morning and put the sunscreen on top.
The results are noticeable after 6-8 weeks if you have been constant, although it depends on several factors: the number, intensity and age of the stains (recent ones are better removed than old ones, more than 5 years old); the quality of the depigmenting cream, etc.
2. Laser
This technique is the most specific for solar lentigos. Once treated, the spots turn into a darker crust, which comes off after a week, leaving the skin repaired. Only one to two sessions are needed.
3. Chemical peel
It is ideal for treating melasma, the most difficult stain to remove. Formulas with acids and depigmenting substances, such as vitamin C, are applied in different concentrations depending on the stain. Before and after treatment, sun protection should be maximum.
4. Photodynamic therapy
It is used to treat senile lentigines that occupy a large body area since the individual treatment of each one with techniques such as laser would lead to excessive heating of the skin. It produces an exfoliation that improves the appearance of blemishes.
5. And above all …
Keep in mind that the skin “remembers” the spots. If you have eliminated them with any of the previous methods but you forget to apply sun protection daily, they will reappear in the same place.
