Violation of skin pigmentation is a problem that occurs in 70% of the world's population. This is due to a violation of the production of melanin - the pigment that gives the skin its color. It occurs for various reasons, most often due to prolonged exposure to the sun.

The danger of age spots is that they can degenerate into melanoma. According to statistics, people who have more than 30 age spots on the body are at risk of getting skin cancer.

To get rid of hyperpigmentation, you should find out the causes that provoke the problem. We will talk about this in the article. You will also learn which types of age spots can be treated on their own, and which are treated only by traditional methods. This will help you reduce the risk of melanoma and other malignant growths on the body.

You will need:

Causes of skin pigmentation

1. Prolonged exposure to the sun, a significant effect on the skin of ultraviolet radiation.
2. Liver disease or problems with metabolism, digestive organs. If the endocrine system is susceptible to diseases such as Graves' disease, pituitary tumor, pituitary insufficiency, then dark spots(not only hyper-, but also).
3. Mental disorders in people with a hysterical type of character.
4. Vitamin C deficiency.
5. Gynecological diseases.
6. The presence of a neuropsychiatric disease.
7. Repeated repetition of stressful situations.
8. Pigmentation during pregnancy. Passes after the birth of the child.

Places of localization

Breast
- Back;
- Face;
- Hands.

Pigmented brown spots with clear boundaries.

1. The size and shape of the spots can be different, they do not cause pain, do not cause itching.
2. The brightness of their shade is due to the amount of melanin in the epidermis.

Women are more prone to hyperpigmentation than men. They tend to have hormonal imbalances.

Causes of chloasma:

• Not high quality cosmetical tools;
• Problems with the bile duct, liver, organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Inflammatory process in the female genital organs;
• Skin damage due to self-removal acne;
• Solarium abuse;
• Oncological diseases;
• Lack of vitamins C and B;
• Nervous diseases;
• Prolonged exposure to the sun;
• Neglect of protective equipment during exposure to the sun.

Most often, chloasma is characterized by scattered spots, but sometimes they can merge into one large area. You can get rid of chloasma only with cosmetic procedures.

The Latin word "lentigo" means "lentil spot, freckle".

These age spots are similar to lentils:

• Dense, slightly rise above the surface of the skin;
• They are dark brown in color and no larger than a lentil seed.

Lentigo is congenital, youthful and senile.

congenital

It is called lentigiosis and is characterized by large spots that can degenerate into a malignant neoplasm.

Youthful

It cannot be reborn into a cancerous tumor.

senile

Associated with liver disease and can transform into skin cancer. Place sunburn- the most vulnerable area for the appearance.

To diagnose the disease, it is necessary to systematically examine the skin areas subject to pigmentation.

It is expressed in the absence of melanin on some segments of the body.

It is believed that tissue damage due to autoimmune processes leads to vitiligo.

1. The development of the disease begins with the appearance on the body of clearly defined spots of a pale shade.
2. They appear on open areas of the skin and are prone to overgrowth.
3. Vitiligo does not affect the mucous membranes, soles, palms.

Body segments with a lack of melanin appear in those areas where the skin is squeezed, rubbed. Also, spots can spontaneously disappear.

The formation of nevus cells begins in the womb. This form of pigmentation affects most Europeans. In childhood, a nevus can be inconspicuous, and manifest itself in adolescence. In old age, such a pigment spot usually disappears for good.

Nevi are divided into borderline, complex and intradermal.

Border

They appear at a young age and may disappear after 30 years. They have a smooth surface and are devoid of hair.

Complex

They differ in dense consistency and spherical shape.

Intradermal

They have a domed shape, similar to a wart.

The peculiarity of the nevus is that the more it is raised above the skin, the lighter its color.

It is necessary to remove such pigmentation completely. Partial liquidation can lead to negative consequences.

Features of age spots in children

In children, hyperpigmentation may occur in infancy as well as in adolescence. It happens that these spots disappear as the child grows up, but more often they remain.

Parents should ensure that age spots are not rubbed with clothes or injured. Any mechanical damage can lead to infection and inflammation.

The main causes of pigmentation in children:

• genetic predisposition. Usually, those children whose parents had a similar problem are prone to the appearance of age spots.
• Hemangioma. The color of the skin area may have a darker color due to abnormal development of the circulatory system. Such spots are a clot
  capillaries and they do not bear any harm to health;
• Influence of an aggressive external environment;
• Problems with the digestive tract;
• The influence of the sun's rays.

If parents notice spots in a child that have a coffee color and increase in size, it is necessary to consult a doctor. This is how neurofibromatosis can manifest itself.

You can not use the methods of dealing with age spots used by adults. The method of removal is determined by the doctor.

Medicines and ointments

Zinc ointment

Designed to whiten age spots. It also helps to fight fine wrinkles, pimples and blackheads.

• The drug is applied to the affected area, after cleaning it;
• During the course of treatment, it is necessary to minimize the use of decorative cosmetics;
• The ointment is hypoallergenic.

Synthomycin

It's an antibiotic. It does not harm health, as it penetrates only into the upper layers of the skin. It can not be used for a long time, because it causes the adaptation of the body, which reduces its effectiveness.

1. Cucumber cut into two parts;
2. Grind one of them with a grater and dilute with hydrogen peroxide;
3. Apply for a quarter of an hour, then rinse with water.

Lemon juice

• Lemon 1 part
• Water 1 part

This tool can whiten even spots with very dark pigmentation.

1. It is necessary to squeeze the juice of a lemon.
2. Add room temperature water to it.
3. Use only ceramic or glassware.
4. A gauze swab dipped in a solution is applied to pigmented areas for a quarter of an hour.
5. Wash and lubricate the surface of the skin with cream.

Celandine decoction

• Water 2 cups
• Celandine 5 tbsp. l.

1. Pour celandine with water and put on fire;
2. Simmer the boiled solution under the lid for a quarter of an hour, after reducing the heat;
3. Cover with a thick cloth and leave for an hour;
4. Strained broth can be used for its intended purpose, wetting a gauze napkin in it and applying it to the body for a quarter of an hour;
5. After finishing the procedure, wash and lubricate the skin with cream.

apple mask

1. Make a puree from a sour apple by chopping it with a grater.
2. Apply a gauze napkin, in which applesauce is wrapped, to a pigmented spot.
3. After half an hour, remove the compress and wash.
4. Apply cream or sour cream to the skin.

Egg-lemon mask

• Lemon 1/2 part
• Egg white 1 pc.

Particularly suitable for people with oily skin types.

1. Mix lemon juice with egg white, beat until stiff foam;
2. Distribute the finished mask tightly over the surface of the skin;
3. After half an hour, rinse and lubricate the body with fat-free sour cream.

Content

Melanin determines the color of a person's skin. This substance is formed to protect the body from ultraviolet radiation in the deep layer of the epidermis. The appearance of spots, uneven skin pigmentation, different kind freckles are caused by a malfunction in the functioning of pigment cells. Not always these skin changes are only a cosmetic effect.

What is skin pigmentation

Skin pigmentation is the result of melanocytes or pigment cells. Basic racial and territorial features form the skin tone that we can see. But in rare cases, dysfunction of specialized cells can cause a low or high level of color in certain areas. The epidermis contains four main pigments:

• yellow - pigment carotene;
• brown - melanin;
• blue - deoxyhemoglobin;
• red - oxyhemoglobin.

Their combination characterizes the color of pigmentation, which will appear for one reason or another. A natural pigment change is a tan. The lighter the skin, the brighter the pigmentation reaction will be. If age spots appear on the skin, moles, other changes form without obvious reasons, then you should think about visiting a doctor.

Causes of skin pigmentation

Part of age spots is an exclusively cosmetic problem if it bothers a person. Some of the pigmentation formations exist from birth and do not pose any health hazard. But there are changes in the color background that indicate serious diseases that can threaten the patient's life. Therefore, you need to determine the true cause of skin pigmentation:

• exposure to ultraviolet;
• change in the balance of hormones;
• hepatitis A (liver and gallbladder disease);
• improper cosmetics and improper care;
• skin injuries;
• age aging;
• melanoma;
• genetic predisposition or genome defect (eg, albinism);
• dysfunction of the endocrine system.

Causes of pigmentation on the face

Local accumulations of melanin can appear in various forms on any part of the body. Their appearance on the face is especially upsetting for women. Some of them can be hidden with makeup, but sometimes they are so obvious that they cannot be disguised. Most cases are amenable to medicinal or cosmetic elimination, and the presence of permanent spots on the face will have to come to terms. The causes of pigmentation on the face can be very different:

• a change in the hormonal background (chloasma) - occurs during menopause, pregnancy, the use of hormones;
• injury to the skin by peeling, cosmetics or ultraviolet radiation;
• nervous disorders and stress;
• aging and wilting.

Pigmented spots on the abdomen

The localization of age spots on the abdomen can talk not only about the above problems. Pigmentation often changes during pregnancy. After childbirth and stabilization of the hormonal background, the formations disappear on their own. In addition, it is worth noting some more reasons for the appearance of age spots on the abdomen:

• yellowish spots indicate problems with the liver, pancreas and an excess of cholesterol in the body;
• characteristic changes in the form of clear coin-like formations are a symptom of lichen;
• well-known urticaria is an allergic reaction to taking drugs, foods, animal bites or contact with tissues.

Types of skin pigmentation

Skin disorders exist in several varieties. They directly depend on the etiology of the disease or external causes. Types of skin pigmentation:

1. Freckles (ephelids). Characteristic for fair-skinned and red-haired people. In most cases, these pigment spots appear on exposed areas of the skin when melanin is converted to tyrosine. They do not pose any danger to the owner.
2. Chloasma. They look like darkening of the skin, dark brown or yellow-brown locations. Larger than freckles, with uneven borders. Their appearance on the face in the forehead, eyelids, temples and mouth are the result of severe violations of the functioning of internal organs, up to cirrhosis of the liver and oncology.
3. Lentigo. Spots of dark brown color of a rounded shape. Benign pigmentation that can appear at any age and remains until the end of life.
4. Senile (liver) spots. Appear after 45 years, but sometimes in young people. They indicate age-related hormonal changes in the body.
5. Birthmarks and birthmarks. Formations of different colors that are present from birth or appear during life. In most cases, they do not cause any discomfort and do not interfere with life. Attention should be paid to large moles that change in shape and color. Such neoplasms can eventually degenerate into a malignant tumor.
6. Vitiligo. Pigmentation change of unknown etiology. The color of the formations can vary from almost invisible against the general background to milky white or pink. With this disease, melanin ceases to be produced completely.
7. Albinism. Severe congenital disease with catastrophic disorders. The skin and hair with it are completely white, and the iris of the eye is red. The frequency of occurrence of such a change is 50 cases per million people.

Treatment of age spots

Elimination of the manifestations of melanin and its improper formation on the skin directly depends on the etiology of the disease. It makes no sense to remove some formations, since they do not pose a threat to human life and health. Such defects can be considered purely cosmetic. On the other hand, it is very important to start treating age spots, which are symptoms of serious diseases. According to the cause of the disease and how pigmentation manifests itself, a method of therapy is selected. Based on this, the following treatment methods can be determined:

1. Cosmetic defects are removed with the help of cosmetic operations: laser correction, whitening, peeling. Such methods allow you to influence non-malignant formations without the danger of causing harm. internal organs. Naturally, if all procedures are carried out in professional salons by certified means.
2. Cryotherapy is used on small areas because it can cause burns, scars and welts after use.
3. Age spots, excess melanin, which are signs of diseases, can only be removed by eliminating the original disease. Cosmetic effects on them are completely useless. In addition, ignoring pigmentation as a symptom will only aggravate the state of health, up to death in the case of oncological problems.

Treatment of age spots on the face

You can remove unwanted pigmentation, freckles, if it is not a manifestation of severe internal diseases, a hereditary defect or a natural age-related change. After the disease is cured, the spots will disappear on their own, and additional cosmetics will not even be required. And cosmetic defects require work with a beautician. The main thing to remember is that the treatment of age spots on the face and their removal should be carried out only after a comprehensive consultation with doctors in order to exclude possible internal problems.

Cream treatment

Special whitening creams for skin pigmentation should be bought at a pharmacy. They may differ in composition and have different intensity of impact, but most experts agree that you should not expect a bright result. Such creams minimize some small defects, but no more. In addition, improper application can add new stains.

Folk remedies for skin pigmentation

Some folk remedies from skin pigmentation can be achieved better effect than when visiting beauty salons. Wash with milk lemon acid, natural compresses from currants and other fruits - all this can be used with modern medicine. Here are some of the recipes:

1. 5 inflorescences of black elderberry or viburnum berries pour a glass of hot water and leave for 15 minutes. Put wipes or a mask soaked in the decoction on the problem area for no longer than 10 minutes. Repeat daily until you get results.
2. A mixture of 5 tablespoons of bodyagi powder and hydrogen peroxide, bring to a pasty consistency. It is applied in a small amount to the pigmented areas with gloves, lightly rubbing. After complete drying, rinse with warm water, wipe dry, and powder the skin with talcum powder. Course -1 procedure in 5 days. Do not use on sensitive, dry and thin skin.
3. Watermelon pulp will help reduce freckles. To begin with, you should wipe the skin with vegetable oil, and then apply a compress of fruit pulp for 10-15 minutes. Then remove and wipe with clean paper towels.

Prevention of skin pigmentation

Provided that a person does not have specific diseases that appear on the epidermis, the prevention of skin pigmentation involves following a few simple rules:

• observance of the temporary mode of being under the sun and the use of ultraviolet radiation, for example, in a solarium;
• use proven cosmetics, medicines to prevent an allergic reaction;
• apply special creams on the beach.

Photo of age spots

Dark spots appearing on the skin spoil appearance and add years. Lifehacker figured out where this misfortune comes from and how to return a healthy, even color to the face.

What are age spots

Hyperpigmentation is an uneven distribution of melanin pigment in the skin (in fact, it is he who gives the skin its color). If you have freckles, you are familiar with this situation: it is so genetically formed that there are cell clusters in certain areas in your skin Freckles: Remedies, Causes, and More which produce more melanin than others.

But freckles look cute and have been present since childhood, that is, their owners have time to get used to their features. Pimples are another matter entirely. They often appear suddenly, have a large, uneven shape, and require dense tonal means for masking, which is not suitable for everyone.

Uphairstyle.blogspot.com

The reason for the appearance of spots is a failure, as a result of which some of the skin cells begin to produce more melanin than before. Hyperpigmentation itself is not harmful. What Causes Increased Skin Pigmentation?. But it is a symptom of some changes that have occurred in the body. Which, in turn, can be both neutral in terms of health, and quite dangerous.

What Causes Pigmentation Spots?

Failure in the work of skin cells most often occurs for the following reasons 5 possible causes of pigmentation problems.

1. Excessive UV exposure

UV light irritates melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for producing melanin. Normally, this turns into an appearance. But if the cells are stimulated by the active sun often and a lot, some of them "go crazy" and start producing melanin day and night in horse doses.

Age spots are frequent companions of fans of solariums and tanning.

2. Skin injuries, including sunburn

Otherwise, you will not win, but only aggravate pigmentation.

1. Whitening creams and ointments

Such products contain hydroquinone and retinoic acid - substances that provide the skin with light peeling and accelerate cell regeneration. Do not buy these drugs yourself. Check with a dermatologist to avoid possible skin irritation.

2. Whitening masks

Similar cosmetics can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies. But many also use homemade masks made from affordable products.

The main secret of effectiveness: the mask must contain acid.

Below are a few recipes for similar masks, which are highly praised on various forums.

Yeast mask with lemon

Dilute 20 g of yeast with 1 tablespoon of warm milk. Add a teaspoon lemon juice. Apply the mixture on your face for 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly. Some recommend applying a cold compress (gauze soaked in cold water) after the mask to soothe the skin.

Whitening mask with lemon and honey

Mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with honey in a ratio of 1: 1. Apply to a cleanly washed face, rinse with warm water after 20 minutes.

Whitening mask from kefir

Soured milk and unsweetened yogurt are also suitable. Just apply kefir to the area with age spots for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with water and a couple of drops of lemon juice to remove the oily film from the skin.

3. Mesotherapy

So called subcutaneous injections with special bleaching preparations. The same cream, but more effective. In one procedure, you can seriously lighten the pigment spot, but it will take several sessions to completely get rid of it.

4. Microdermabrasion

Many people try to get rid of stains using scrubs. Microdermabrasion is basically the same scrub, but instrumental. With the help of a special nozzle, the beautician “grinds” the skin, removing the top layer spoiled by the pigment.

5. Chemical peels

The meaning of the procedure is to apply a chemically active composition to the skin, most often based on some kind of acid: glycolic, lactic, tartaric, malic, and so on. This composition allows you to dissolve and remove the surface layer of the skin in which the pigment has settled. In addition, peels stimulate cell renewal. Such procedures can only be carried out by a professional cosmetologist!

6. Laser therapy

A laser beam with a certain wavelength selectively acts on pigmented cells without injuring others. Under the action of a laser, melanin is destroyed. This method is considered one of the most effective: if the area of ​​pigmentation is not very large, you can get by with one procedure.

Skin dyschromia is a change in the color of the human skin. Such violations occur relatively often. Sometimes they do not cause discomfort to a person, but in some cases, even in the photo, skin dyschromia is easily distinguishable. In such cases, high-quality diagnosis and treatment of skin dyschromia is necessary.

How is the change in skin color manifested?

Healthy skin color is due to the presence of four different pigments in it. - This is a brown pigment, which is mainly found in the basal layer of the epidermis. Carotene - a yellow pigment that is secreted in the keratinocytes of the epidermis. red pigment - this is, which is saturated with oxygen and is located in the capillaries. blue pigment - This is reduced hemoglobin, which is found in venules.

Changes in skin pigmentation can have a different genesis. Age spots on the skin often appear due to an excess production of melanin. In more rare cases, age spots on the body are associated with the deposition of other pigments listed above in the skin. Violation of skin pigmentation on the hands, on the lower leg and on other areas of the body can also appear due to exposure to certain external factors. The treatment of such phenomena depends, first of all, on what causes of age spots will be detected. The causes of skin pigmentation on the legs, arms and other parts of the body can be associated with both diseases and external influences. For example, age spots on the hands may appear due to exposure to sunlight, etc.

To determine the features and causes of this phenomenon, it is not enough just to look at the photo or conduct an external examination. Specialists in the diagnostic process define two types of dyschromia - congenital And acquired . Acquired dyschromia can be primary And secondary .

With dyschromia, it can be noted as hyperchromia (skin hyperpigmentation) hypochromia (hypopigmentation). Also, the color of the skin can be completely absent ( achromia or ).