The spots on the skin are one of the aesthetic alterations of the skin that most concern people, since it is common in women and men, they occur at any age and are present in a large part of the population. Its main cause is the sun, although there are other factors to take into account such as hormonal disorders, medication and cosmetic products.
On this occasion, in a HOWTO, we explain all the types of skin blemishes and how to treat them or remove them. To know if the treatment will be effective, it is first important to know the causes of the spots on the skin. In this way, it can also be deduced if it can reappear or if it can be removed more permanently.
Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, a substance that plays a very important role in protecting the skin from the sun’s rays. That said, a spot is an alteration of the melanocyte that produces a excess melanin and, in turn, this excess pigment passes to the cells that are around it: the keratinocytes. These are the ones that, through the natural process of skin regeneration, rise to the surface of the skin and become visible.
The main stimulus for the melanocyte to start to produce melanin is the sun. However, there are many other factors that can produce this alteration and cause the appearance of spots more easily, such as hormones, medical treatments, scars, among others. Each factor indirectly exerts an aggression on the skin. Therefore, most of the causes are related to a inflammation or skin damage.
The type of stain It gives us the clue to know what is the reason why the skin has been stained. It is the first thing that any skin specialist you should detect before starting a depigmenting treatment. This will be key to understanding the origin of hyperpigmentation and, in this way, knowing if it is possible to treat it permanently, as well as knowing the best method to prevent the spot from getting bigger.
Sunspots
It is known that the skin has memory. Sunburns, suffered repeatedly and over time, cause the internal structure of the skin to receive damage, as it has undergone numerous inflammations and peeling. As a defense, the skin generates its own natural protection based on an excess of melanin and the famous sun spots are produced.
Post-depilatory stains
These spots usually appear in the areas where we perform hair removal, either with hot or warm wax, and even with laser. If we do not respect a minimum recovery time of the skin and, after a few hours we expose ourselves directly to sunbathing without protection, we increase the risk of spots appearing.
What happens is that in the depilated area there has been an aggression produced by being in contact with the high temperatures and the strong pull. This causes redness on the skin, creating erythema and inflammation of the skin. If we add to this sun exposure in the area where the skin is very sensitive, it may end up developing spots. A very common area where these types of spots usually appear is in the upper lip, groin, armpits or any other depilated area.
Find out How to Remove Dark Crotch Stains and How to Remove Mustache Stains by clicking on the link.
Stains from medication consumption
There are medications that can be photosensitive, due to its regenerative active ingredients that refine the surface structure of the skin, making it more fragile and sensitive. These spots can look irregular and they can appear in any area that has been exposed to solar radiation.
Hormonal stains
Hormonal stains are very common in people who use hormonal medications, such as birth control pills, IUDs, or other hormone-based birth control methods. They are usually very common among Spots on the face.
Are symmetrical spots They appear on both sides of the face. A very common one is the upper lip spot, the spot on the forehead and the butterfly spot, a spot that appears on both cheeks of the face as if it were a butterfly with open wings.
Pregnancy spots
The spots during pregnancy have a very similar appearance to the spots produced by hormonal alterations, since the reason for their appearance is very similar. In this case, you have to be aware that the spots can come out during pregnancy and they can also come out during the breastfeeding process.
During pregnancy and lactation, the skin is more photosensitive than normal, so it is important not to forget to protect it with sunscreen.
Post laser treatment spots
Laser treatments can also cause the appearance of spots. Although it is often a method used to depigment the skin, the laser is aggressive and can cause erythema. The high temperature reddens the skin almost to the point of reaching a burn to cause the skin to activate its regeneration process and, in this way, the melanin accumulated in the skin is eliminated. The problem is that if adequate and constant protection is not carried out afterwards, the stain may come back faster and darker than before.
Stains from depigmenting products
Many cosmetics that exist to lighten skin blemishes have a high concentration of active ingredients that, in turn, can produce photosensitivity on the skin. These actives, like the laser, exert a regenerative action on the area to be treated.
It is important to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer or ask a specialist so that I can advise you on the prescription of the treatment, what is the ideal concentration of active ingredients according to the type of stain, what would be the ideal routine to apply the product and what is the most suitable time of year to carry out these treatments.
Dehydration stains
The lack of hydration in the skin can cause the skin to stain more easily, because it cannot tan evenly and the color of the skin ends up being uneven.
One of the main causes of dehydrated skin is the use of facial hygiene products with a high concentration of detergent active ingredients. These spots have a irregular and fuzzy appearanceThey usually appear in areas such as the cheeks and around the chin and forehead.
Stains from scars or wounds
The area where we have had an open wound on the skin, a skin attack or a localized inflammation is an area prone to blemishes. This is because the skin is more fragile and sensitive to the sun after going through a period of inflammation.
This category also includes acne spots or those that come out after suffering an injury or having undergone surgery.
