Why Do I Have Dark Spots on My Face, Can I Get Rid of Them?

Why am I getting dark spots on my face?
Dark spots are caused by an overproduction of melanin in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes their color. It is produced by cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are like sponges that soak up sunlight. The more UV exposure your skin gets, the more saturated with melanin your sponges will get.
The four main causes of dark spots are :
• Sun exposure
• Hormonal changes
• Genetics
• Age
Brown spots are a common part of the aging process of our skin. Roughly 75 percent of Caucasian people over the age of 60 are likely to have one or more of these lesions. These spots develop in response to sun damage. This could be from not using sunscreen or tanning both indoor and outdoors.
For women, some other reasons for brown spots or darkening of the skin on the face are hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy or menopause, this is called melasma.
Melasma appears as brown patches on the upper lip, forehead and cheeks. It is very common in moms-to-be but also in women who take birth control pills. It can simply be due to changes in the estrogen and progesterone levels that happen during the regular menstrual cycle too.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent Getting More Brown Spots?
Of course! Sun exposure is the biggest factor that can contribute to darkening of the skin. Good UV protection includes:
• Wearing Sunscreen daily with an SPF 30 or higher,
• Wearing sun protective clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)
• Wearing a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella to block the sun
• Re-applying sunscreen every two hours when out in the sun.
Additionally, make sure to moisturize your skin well and use a gentle facial cleanser, dryness or irritation can also worsen the darkening of your skin.
How can I treat brown spots?
• Skin Brightening creams or serums: These are easily accessible but and safe? We carry skin brightening creams such as kojic acid serums and vitamin C serums. There are also prescription strength hydroquinone pads that works really well. We use a 4% hydroquinone that is personally mixed in house for you. All of these products lighten and help prevent sun damage.
• Retinoids or Vitamin A derivatives: These are also helpful in the fight for younger and brighter skin. They stimulate the production of collagen and exfoliate the skin gently by speeding up the cell turn over. They may cause irritation to the skin so start using your retinoid slowly, 2-3 times a week at first, then increase frequency of use gradually, moisturize and use excellent sun protection.
• IPL Treatments: IPL is a pulsed light device that distributes a broad wavelength of energy that is absorbed by the pigment of the brown spot and destroys it. This would be down in a series of treatments. Your medical aesthetician will come up with a personalized plan just for you.
• Microneedling: Using a needle pen, can help to reduce this hyper-pigmentation by breaking up the pigment below the skin surface. This collagen induction therapy another word for micro needling, can easily aid the skin without removing or damaging the epidermis. Several treatments are required along with some skin lightening products and your skin tone will become more even.
• Our signature facial: The trilevel facial is three levels of exfoliation: dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and a chemical peel. This process removes dead skin cells, vellus hair, and promotes exfoliation.
Consistency is most important when trying to lighten or remove dark spots. Using medical grade skin care products in addition to treatments is the most effective way to combat dark spots.