Those stories from the past, where we generously smeared ourselves with oil to then lie in the sun for hours, are now met with some astonishment. It is now widely known that too much sunlight is harmful and can be a direct cause of pigmentation spots. Many people find such spots on visible areas like the face or neck unpleasant and look for ways to reduce or remove them. While perceptions of the beauty of pigmentation spots are personal, they are often associated with older age, which can strengthen the motivation to address them. In this blog, we share useful tips to reduce, treat, and prevent pigmentation spots.
What Causes Pigmentation Spots?
Hyperpigmentation is the official term for what we often call “brown spots.” These pigmentation spots are often visible on the face, upper chest area, and arms.
Pigment, or melanin, is a natural dye in our skin produced by pigment cells. These cells release small amounts of pigment to the outer skin layer, causing our skin to darken. Pigmentation spots can arise from uneven melanin production. This often happens when you’re exposed to the sun without adequately applying sunscreen with SPF.
Other causes of pigmentation spots include hormonal changes due to birth control pills or pregnancy, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This latter form can occur after skin injuries such as acne or deep cuts. Both hormonal hyperpigmentation and PIH can be exacerbated by sunlight.
Different Types of Pigmentation Spots
Age Spots
Lentigo solaris, better known as age spots or sunspots, arise from prolonged exposure to UV rays. These accumulations of pigment appear when pigment cells produce more pigment in certain areas than elsewhere.
Café-au-Lait Macula
This is a benign, oval-shaped pigmentation spot with the color of coffee with milk. These spots can occur anywhere on the body, are often congenital, and usually become more visible around the second year of life.
Pregnancy Mask
Melasma, also known as the pregnancy mask, occurs almost exclusively in women. The pigment appears in the form of both light and dark spots on the face. The pigmentation spots center on the forehead, cheeks, temples, around the eyes, or above the upper lip. Melasma arises from sunbathing without protection, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, or due to certain medications.
Vitiligo
This is a condition where, instead of dark spots, white spots appear due to the death of pigment cells. The exact cause of this condition is still unclear.
How Can You Prevent Pigmentation Spots?
The most crucial step in preventing pigmentation spots is sun protection. Use a sunscreen with a high SPF daily, especially when you’re outdoors. Consistently applying sunscreen and reapplying it regularly protects your skin against UV radiation.
How Do You Remove Pigmentation Spots?
Pigmentation spots can occur both epidermally (superficially) and dermally (deeper in the skin). Superficial pigmentation often responds well to treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments, peels, and Nano CellCare. Unfortunately, deeper pigmentation is more challenging to treat.
What Can You Do Against Pigmentation Spots?
Get Started at Home
Begin at home with exfoliants and scrubs. This can help renew the skin, causing the pigment to surface and flake off. As a result, your skin will look fresher, and pigmentation spots may diminish.
Laser Therapy
You can often consult a dermatologist for laser therapy. A laser emits a very large amount of light in a short time, allowing for targeted, mild treatments of the skin’s upper layer. More intensive treatments can penetrate deeper skin layers.
Nano CellCare: Give Your Body a Boost with Vitamin C
Consider Nano CellCare for radiant skin from within. This therapy uses only natural ingredients and nourishes the body with vitamin C, natural hyaluronic acid, and essential minerals from the Dead Sea, applied via nebulization to penetrate deep into the skin cells.
Vitamin C is known as one of the most powerful antioxidants and plays a crucial role in addressing hyperpigmentation. It not only helps neutralize free radicals but can also strengthen the skin’s natural defense system against future damage from oxidative stress, helping your skin heal from within.
Nano CellCare Treatment Near You
Would you like to know what Nano CellCare can do for you? Make an appointment with a certified Nano CellCare therapist near you via our Treatment Locator.
