Increased pigmentation on the face causes. Why do pigment spots appear on the face

Skin color - what does it depend on?

The color of human skin depends on hemoglobin, carotene and melanin - pigments that are present in the skin of each of us.

Carotene is responsible for the yellowish tint of the skin, despite the fact that its amount in the body is not large. A striking example of the action of keratin is the color of the skin of the inhabitants of East Asia.
Hemoglobin gives the skin a reddish tint. Although it is found in the blood vessels under the skin, it shows up when a person has a flush on their cheeks or when they blush.
The overall tone of our skin gives melanin. It has a dark brown color, giving the skin an overall hue. The more melanin in the skin, the darker and more saturated color it has. The less pigment present, the lighter the skin. The formation of melanin pigment occurs in melanocytes (skin cells) from the amino acid tyrosine.

Melanin protects our skin from various processes that harm the body. It blocks the action of ultraviolet rays. Under their action, the amount of pigment increases, and the skin begins to acquire a darker shade.

This skin darkening or natural pigmentation helps prevent sunburn and skin cancer, photoaging, photodermatosis, and a host of other conditions.

If there is a lack or excess of melanin, then local pigmentation, or age spots, appears. Such pigmentation of the skin manifests itself in the form of moles or freckles, chloasma.

With age, senile or liver spots appear. The appearance of pigmentation is due to a number of reasons, both external and internal.

The main reason for the appearance of pigmentation on the skin is the action of ultraviolet radiation on it.
Pigmentation of the skin on the face can also be caused by changes in hormone levels associated with pregnancy. During this period, estrogen (pregnancy hormone) appears in the body of a woman.
When using hormonal contraceptives, pigmentation may also occur.
Hormonal drugs used in the treatment often cause a violation of skin pigmentation.
In women, menopause provokes an imbalance of hormones in the body, and as a result, the appearance of pigmentation on the face.
With age, the amount of pigments changes. Skin pigmentation after forty-five years is determined by the appearance of so-called senile age spots.
There are also genetic causes for the appearance of pigmentation. Albinos lack melanin synthesis completely. Therefore, they are highly sensitive to ultraviolet rays. They cannot sunbathe, stay in the sun for a long time.
Sometimes skin pigmentation may appear at the site of acne removal.

Freckles or ephelids

Sometimes people with light skin or light, red hair appear freckles. These are small pigment spots with uneven edges. They appear both on the face and on open areas of the skin. doctors also call them ephelids. They appear when tyrosine begins to turn into melanin.

Such skin pigmentation is dark brown or yellow-brown spots that appear on the face. They have jagged edges, larger than freckles in size. They can appear during pregnancy, with excessive sunbathing, hormonal imbalance.

The appearance of such spots in the forehead, on the temples or eyelids, around the mouth may indicate various diseases and disorders of the internal organs, up to cancer or cirrhosis of the liver.

This is a spot that has a clear round outline and a dark brown color. This pigmentation is benign and not dangerous to health. It appears at any age and does not change over time.

With age, pigmentation begins to appear on the skin of the face and hands. Most often, it begins to manifest itself after forty-five years. But sometimes such pigmentation begins after thirty - thirty-five. This is due to age-related hormonal changes. Liver spots most often appear on the face.

Diagnostics

If the pigmentation of the skin changes, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination. You need to consult a beautician. If the change in pigmentation is caused by diseases of the internal organs, then you just need to seek help from doctors. Perhaps, after the examination and treatment, the pigmentation will disappear by itself.

Prevention of skin pigmentation

In order to reduce the manifestation of pigmentation, you need to try to be less in the sun. Every day you need to apply either sunscreen for the face, or a cosmetic product that has a filter with a high level of protection.

It is possible to get rid of pigmentation caused by diseases of internal organs only after eliminating the cause of pigment spots. After treatment, unwanted pigmentation will disappear on its own.

If skin pigmentation is a cosmetic problem, then it is necessary to undergo both salon procedures and skin care at home.

Procedures that whiten age spots consist of two main elements:

exfoliation of the horny top layer of the skin;
decrease in the body's production of melanin.

When exfoliating, pigment spots are lightened due to the fact that melanin is removed from the epidermis. For this, peelings of various types are used.

When using bleaching procedures, dry skin or its strengthening may occur. Therefore, along with salon procedures, it is necessary to moisturize the skin and use drugs that promote its regeneration.

Chemical peeling - the procedure is that the skin is treated with an acid solution.
Laser resurfacing is the removal of skin cells that are hyperpigmented using a laser machine.
Phototherapy - pulsed light is used to reduce pigmentation.
Microdermabrasion - for this procedure, a stream of abrasive particles of a very small size is used.
Mesotherapy - in this procedure, microinjections are made under the skin, introducing bleaching solutions.
Cryotherapy - the skin is treated with liquid nitrogen, reducing pigmentation on the face.

In addition to these procedures, the cosmetic industry produces a huge variety of whitening creams. They include mercury, abutin and hydroquinone, azelalic or ascorbic acid.

These cosmetics may have side effects and contraindications, so they should be used under the supervision of specialists.

Folk remedies

Lemon

The simplest and most affordable remedy for whitening the face can be the usual lemon. A piece of lemon can be used to wipe the skin, it can be added to the water that is used to rinse the face.

Parsley

Parsley mask is an effective remedy for whitening age spots. For its preparation, either roots or fresh leaves are used, which are ground in a meat grinder and applied to the pigmentation zones for twenty to thirty minutes.

Then the mask is washed off with warm water. Fresh parsley juice can be used in place of skin lotion.

White clay

White clay is a wonderful remedy for skin whitening. It is diluted with warm water and applied to the face until dry. And then it is washed off with warm water.

Any woman, regardless of age, wants her skin to always be healthy and beautiful. One of the common problems that plague many ladies is age spots on the face. They can appear in adolescence and in women over 50 years of age. Most of the fair sex is sure that the spots are associated with negative processes occurring directly in the skin. To combat them, they use a variety of cosmetic preparations and resort to folk remedies, sometimes very dubious.

Local exposure to the skin leads to the fact that age spots do not disappear, but only turn a little pale. Inadequate measures may well cause the progression of the process. In order to successfully deal with this cosmetic defect, you need to know the reasons for its appearance.

As a rule, pathological pigmentation develops in women over 35-40 years old, but there are exceptions. Spots are the result of local accumulations of melanin present in the body of any person. This pigment is present in the outer layer of the skin - the epidermis. When it accumulates in limited areas of the outer layer, birthmarks or freckles appear. The color of such formations can vary from light yellow to deep brown. As a rule, they do not cause problems for a woman.

Another thing is melanin deposits in the deeper layers of the epidermis. Such spots are characterized by a dark brown color. They can interfere with applying makeup on the face, and if they rise slightly above the level of the skin, then even put on clothes.

Cosmetologists distinguish between the following types of age spots:

birthmarks;
lentigo (typical for older women);
chloasma;
freckles.

One of the leading causes of hyperpigmentation is a genetic predisposition. Spots can sometimes be present even in newborns. The elimination of hereditary cosmetic defects requires the adoption of quite serious measures, one of which is laser resurfacing.

Often spots appear due to hormonal imbalance. Pigmentation can develop with diseases of the endocrine system, as well as with hormonal changes in the body associated with pregnancy or menstruation. In some cases, it can develop in women in the first year after the birth of a child. Such spots are usually irregular in shape; they are called chloasma. Experts do not advise taking any measures to eliminate this cosmetic defect. Pigmentation areas often develop with thyroid dysfunction, as well as with the development of neoplasms in the pituitary gland. To cope with the spots of endocrine origin, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease. As the hormonal background returns to normal levels, the spots will also disappear.

Pigmentation can occur with skin injuries.

The main causes of skin damage that cause hyperpigmentation of its individual areas:

(acne);
(chemical or thermal);
complications during cosmetic procedures (peeling, etc.).

To eliminate spots of traumatic origin, as a rule, local exposure is not enough. Most patients require complex therapy.

Often spots appear under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. The immediate cause, in particular, may be excessive exposure to the sun. It is known that ultraviolet stimulates the formation of melanin, and normally a person develops a tan, which is necessary to protect against burns. But the pigment in some cases accumulates more intensively in certain areas. Usually it is the skin of the face that suffers, since it is the most delicate and is never protected by clothing. Age spots often appear from the spring sun, since after the autumn-winter period, the skin is maximally depigmented.

Even the most modern sunscreens are not always effective, therefore, in order to avoid skin problems, it is recommended to sunbathe in the evening or morning hours.

Note:spots often appear after too frequent trips to the solarium. In the pursuit of beauty, you can achieve the exact opposite effect.

Pigmentation of areas of the skin often indicates diseases of the digestive tract (in particular, the intestines), kidneys, liver and gallbladder. With bowel diseases, spots of a reddish hue usually appear. Brown pigmentation indicates problems with the liver or gallbladder. Violations of the functional activity of the kidneys leads to the development of yellow or yellowish-brown spots. Whitening and other local procedures are ineffective. The spots disappear on their own after successful treatment of the underlying disease. In many cases, strict adherence to the diet prescribed by the doctor is sufficient.

Age spots are often caused by mental illness, nervous disorders, and even frequent psycho-emotional stress. Problems from the nervous system lead to hormonal imbalance and metabolic disorders, resulting in the formation of pathological accumulations of melanin. To eliminate such defects, the normalization of the mental state of the patient is required.

Spots on the skin can appear if a woman's body lacks certain micro and macro elements or vitamins. In particular, pigmentation is often the result of hypovitaminosis in vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and insufficient alimentary intake of copper. Such accumulations of melanin spontaneously disappear as the deficiency of these biologically active substances is replenished.

Some pharmacological agents with long-term course use can also provoke the appearance of hyperpigmentation areas. Especially often spots appear on the background of long-term antibiotic therapy. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will decide whether to replace a certain drug with an analogue or interrupt the course of treatment.

Important:The cause of the spots in some cases is an allergic reaction. In such a situation, consultation with a specialist is required, which will help identify the factor leading to the appearance of a hypersensitivity reaction.

The skin can react to low-quality cosmetics. There are a lot of counterfeit skincare and makeup products on the market today. They may contain toxic ingredients. If you notice that after applying a certain type of cosmetics pigment spots appear, you need to stop using it and immediately consult a dermatologist.

Note:the appearance of hyperpigmentation is often due to overly frequent skin cleansing and whitening procedures.

The appearance of dark areas on the skin of the hands, neck and face is often the result of natural aging processes. Usually such spots appear after 45 years. The reason is hormonal changes during menopause and uneven distribution of pigment in aging skin. Pigmentation can also be associated with chronic diseases that develop and worsen with age.

As a rule, age spots in themselves are not dangerous, but in most cases they indicate certain pathologies of organs and systems. The appearance of darkened areas on the skin is a reason to undergo a comprehensive medical examination, which will reveal the true cause of the pathology. It is not the effect that needs to be treated, but the cause.

Women who have areas of hyperpigmentation of the skin of the face, first of all, need to consult with doctors of the following specializations:

therapist;
dermatologist;
endocrinologist;
gynecologist;
gastroenterologist.

Depending on the cause of the appearance of the pathology, the tactics of treatment are also determined. In any case, treatment of the underlying disease is required; otherwise, neither folk remedies for whitening, nor even the most innovative cosmetic procedures will help.

A variety of means can be used to eliminate pigmentation, but the effectiveness of many of them is doubtful. In addition, some "bleach" products can harm the skin.

One of the most famous and common "folk remedies" is a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. The application of this agent often causes a chemical burn of the outer layer of the epidermis, and the melanin accumulated in the depths of the skin does not disappear anywhere.

Important:a woman carrying a child, as well as nursing mothers, such creams are categorically contraindicated!

Cosmetic procedures should be carried out only by a qualified specialist. A specific technique is selected strictly individually. The beautician takes into account the severity of the defect, the area of its location, as well as the patient's contraindications to this procedure.

Chemical peeling involves the application of organic acids - fruit, glycolic, etc. These biologically active compounds provide desquamation of the cells of the outer layer of the epidermis. Thus, skin renewal is ensured, which over time contributes to the disappearance or reduction of the severity of pathological pigmentation.

Peeling can also be carried out using an ultrasonic unit.

Laser peeling helps to remove the cells of the outer layer of the skin as gently as possible. The disadvantage of this technique is its relative trauma. After the procedure, patients are shown applying agents to the skin that accelerate the regeneration process. It is preferable to perform laser peeling sessions in winter, when exposure to the skin of solar ultraviolet radiation is minimal.

Phototherapy allows you to selectively affect areas of hyperpigmentation. High intensity light waves contribute to the destruction of cells with a pathologically high presence of melanin.

Any cosmetic whitening products should only be used under the supervision of an experienced professional. With their inept use, the development of an effect completely opposite to the desired one is not excluded, i.e., age spots on the face will become even more noticeable.

Please note: a number of drugs are categorically contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding, as well as acute and chronic pathologies of the liver or kidneys.

The most effective whitening products are:

Retin-A (cream);
VC-IP (solution based on ascorbic acid);
Achromin MAX;
Neoton complex (night serum + Neotone Radiance SPF 50+).

There are a number of safe and time-tested folk methods for getting rid of hyperpigmentation. A cosmetic mask made from grated fresh cucumber helps to achieve a good effect.

On problem skin, you can apply a mixture of yeast and lemon juice for 10-15 minutes. It is also recommended to wipe the face twice a day with parsley infusion mixed with fresh whole milk.

Every woman at any age wants to remain beautiful, but often the realization of such a dream is impossible, a serious obstacle in this matter is a pigment spot that grows on the face and other parts of the body.

Most often, women who have passed the age of 40 suffer from increased pigmentation on the face and body, since it is in adulthood that the body produces much more melanin, and does not have time to evenly distribute it throughout the body.

However, in this situation, you should not give up and let everything take its course, since it is quite possible to cope with this problem. But first you need to know what pigmentation is and why it appears in the form of rashes on the face and body.

Classification of age spots and their types

Age spots that appear on the face are a problem for many women who mistakenly believe that their appearance is affected by the condition and health of the skin. That is why only cosmetics, and not drugs, are used to combat the problem.

It is worth knowing that the main pigment is located in the skin cells - melanin, which is responsible for the pigmentation of the skin. If there is too much melanin, age spots of any shape, size and shade appear on the body.

Main types:

Freckles. These are well-known spots on the face, often “attacking” blondes and brown-haired women, since their skin has the ability to quickly respond to the ingress and action of ultraviolet radiation. With a long exposure to the sun, small reddish dots become most noticeable, while in cold weather, freckles become invisible.
birthmarks. These are small pigment spots that have a clear and even contour. Such formations on the skin are of two types: acquired and congenital, which appear as a result of a large number of melanocytes. Sometimes there are cases when these harmless moles degenerate into malignant tumors that are dangerous to health. As a result of this, moles begin to grow intensively, change their structure, size and color, and also cause a lot of inconvenience to a person.
Lentigo. These are small age spots that appear on the face and hands in place of freckles. In this case, rashes occur when excessive exposure to sunlight on the human body. Lentigo worries women over 40, giving away their age, as they are almost impossible to disguise.
Vitiligo (albinism). These are the rarest white or discolored patches that occur in people with endocrine disorders. In people with albinism, melanocytes responsible for skin color are partially or completely absent in the body. That is why such people are harmed by long exposure to the sun, which often causes burns and the degeneration of healthy cells into malignant ones.
Chloasma. These are large and bright pigment spots, often irregular in shape, that appear on the face and body of young women. As they grow, these rashes increase significantly, so they can even merge with each other, forming large neoplasms. The rate of their growth depends on the sun's rays, or rather, the duration of exposure to the open sun. Chloasma is caused by hormonal imbalances in the body.

As mentioned above, melanin is part of the skin and is responsible for its color and shade. This substance is located in the layers of the epidermis, therefore, when exposed to certain external and internal factors, its amount begins to increase rapidly - this failure causes the appearance of brown rashes on the skin. Over time, the pigment spot often increases several times, especially if no treatment measures are taken.

Reasons for the appearance of age spots:

Long stay in the sun;
Lack of vitamins, minerals and trace elements in the body;
Heredity;
Pathology of the liver, gallbladder and kidneys;
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
Improper use of scrub or peeling;
Long-term exposure to the body of chemicals - perfumery, household and cosmetic;
Pregnancy and hormone treatment;
Untimely intake of antihistamines, sulfonamides, quinine;
Women's diseases - ovarian dysfunction, inflammation;
Keratosis.

If one of these reasons is identified, you should consult a doctor in order to promptly treat. It is important not to delay the treatment of this pathology, as it often leads to complications that are difficult to get rid of.

Under the influence of certain factors, melanin is distributed unevenly in the skin cells, resulting in red or brown spots on the face and body. However, they often do not have a negative impact on human health. But it is also not worth excluding the appearance of diseases, since pigmentation is often considered the main sign of serious disorders of the body.

If you carefully consider the rashes and carefully examine these spots, you can quickly and effortlessly determine the cause of their occurrence:

A wide yellow spot with a rim located on the face (forehead) indicates violations and malfunctions in the nervous system. Therefore, you need to contact a neurologist to cope with rashes.
Fuzzy and blurry age spots that appear on the cheeks and neck indicate liver problems that are caused by poisoning of the body.
If dark brown pigmentation grows on the chin, near the mouth or lips, this is a sign of gastrointestinal disorders.
Pigment spots that appeared when carrying a baby are associated with hormonal failure in the female body. Some time after the birth of the child, they will disappear on their own.

If brown rashes are found on the body or face, measures should be taken immediately, since such a pathology will not go away on its own.

Only with the advice of a doctor and proper treatment can you get rid of unpleasant manifestations and return the skin to an even shade and healthy appearance.

Every woman strives to have beautiful and healthy skin throughout her life. But on the way to this dream, obstacles such as age spots on the face are not uncommon. It is not so easy to get rid of them, and they annoy the lady with their unaesthetic appearance.

Many people naively believe that the appearance is connected precisely with the condition of the skin and only cosmetic preparations are used to fight. As a rule, such methods are not enough and the spots either do not disappear, or turn pale insignificantly, or upset their mistress with steady progression. Such an unsuccessful fight against them is explained by the fact that there are many reasons for their appearance, and almost all of them are associated with disturbances in the functioning of the body.

In our article we will talk about the causes of the appearance of age spots on the face and various methods of getting rid of them, their treatment. Such knowledge will allow you to look at this problem from a different angle and take timely measures to combat it.

Causes and types of pigmentation on the face

Age spots can appear in both young girls and women over 50. As a rule, their appearance is more likely over the age of 35-40 years. In isolated cases, they pass spontaneously, much more often getting rid of them requires considerable effort.

A pigmented spot is an area of excessive accumulation: a special pigment located in various layers of the epidermis. When it is deposited in the upper layer of the skin, pale spots (for example, freckles or moles) form. They can be from light yellow to brown and, in most cases, do not give their owner a lot of trouble and worries.

Hyperpigmentations that are deposited in the deeper layers of the epidermis look completely different - a dark brown spot appears on the surface of the skin (it can even rise above the surface of the skin). Such pigmentations are more frustrating for women, and in some cases they are very disturbing (for example, applying makeup, putting on or taking off clothes).

Doctors distinguish the following types of pigmentation:

freckles;
chloasma;
lentigo;
moles and birthmarks.

What can cause an increased level of melanin production? There are many reasons for the appearance of age spots.

Heredity

This type of pigmentation is due to a genetic predisposition. Usually, age spots are already noticeable in newborns, and they can only be eliminated with the help of stronger techniques (for example, laser resurfacing).

Hormonal diseases and changes

Brown spots of rich color and irregular shape can appear during menstruation, pregnancy, in the first year after childbirth, or due to hormonal imbalance caused by the disease. Doctors call them chloasma and do not recommend doing anything specifically to eliminate them.

In the case of diseases that cause hormonal imbalance, treatment of the underlying ailment is recommended. The causes of endocrine pigmentation can be gynecological diseases, neoplasms of the pituitary gland, etc. After the treatment of the underlying disease and the normalization of the hormonal background of a woman, they become significantly pale and gradually disappear.

Skin injury

Such pigmentation can be provoked by severe cases of acne, chemical and thermal burns, unsuccessful peeling and other injuries. Their intensity depends on the individual characteristics of the skin and the depth of the traumatic lesion. In some cases, local remedies to eliminate such age spots are not enough, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment.

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays

Brown spots of this type are provoked by aggressive exposure to sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet radiation. They often appear on the face, because the skin of this part of the body is the most thin and vulnerable. Melanin is designed to protect the skin from burns and stains it a darker color, but if you abuse the trips to the solarium or stay in the active open sun during the daytime, the pigment layer may lie unevenly. The spring rays of the sun are especially aggressive, because after winter the skin of the face is partially depigmented. In some cases, even the use of sunscreen cannot protect it from the appearance of ugly spots. You should not be under the direct rays of the daytime sun for too much time, morning and evening hours are preferable.

Diseases of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and intestines

Reddish spots appear in women with malfunctions, brown - with pathologies or, yellowish-brown - with. They do not require separate treatment, they turn pale and disappear when a proper diet is prescribed and the functions of internal organs are normalized.

Nervous disorders, mental illness and frequent stress

Such pigmentation is caused by metabolic and hormonal imbalance. The spots can be of various shapes and sizes.

Lack of vitamins or minerals

Quite a common reason! Spots can be caused by insufficient intake of vitamin C or copper foods. After the deficiency is eliminated, they gradually disappear.

Taking medications

Sometimes spots on the skin appear after long-term use of certain medications. Most often they are caused by taking antibiotics. Be sure to contact your doctor and inform about the appearance of pigmentation, you will be replaced or canceled the drug.

Allergic reactions, improper use of skin care products and poor-quality cosmetics

Rash and spots on the skin appear immediately after applying a cosmetic or other product. They can be provoked by essential oils, low-quality ingredients in decorative cosmetics, unnecessarily frequent cleansing of the skin.

Aging

Alas, often dark spots on the face, as well as on the neck and hands, can appear over the age of 40-45 years. They are caused by increased production of melanin and its uneven distribution, hormonal changes and aging of the skin layers. Also, their appearance may be associated with the presence of chronic diseases, which increase with age.

The appearance of pigmentation in itself in most cases is not dangerous, but it always signals a malfunction in some of the body's systems. When it appears, you should think about the state of your health and undergo a diagnostic examination. What it will be - the doctor will determine.

Treatment of age spots on the face

A cosmetologist will recommend a method for eliminating age spots.

The main principle of pigmentation treatment is to eliminate the cause of their occurrence. To identify it, you may need to consult a therapist, gynecologist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist. After making a diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment for the underlying disease, after getting rid of which the spots on the skin of the face will either disappear spontaneously or turn pale, and it will be much easier to get rid of them.

Most women want to quickly get rid of age spots that spoil their appearance, and use various methods to get rid of these unpleasant cosmetic defects.

whitening;
cosmetic procedures;
cosmetical tools;
traditional medicine recipes.

Skin whitening for age spots

Various substances can be used as "bleachers" of hyperpigmentations:

Hydrogen peroxide - a 3% solution can only be applied to the area of the age spot, since this remedy can injure the skin.
Mercury Cream: May be used for a short time as long-term use of this harsh product can cause skin irritation. note: It is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.
Zinc paste - gently whitens the skin, helps to eliminate wrinkles and acne.

Cosmetic procedures for age spots

These techniques can only be performed by a cosmetologist or dermatologist and are selected individually depending on the severity of pigmentation, location, indications and contraindications.

Skin whitening is promoted by:

Ultrasonic or chemical peeling: the type of procedure is determined by the doctor. Glycolic, fruit and other acids can be used for chemical peeling. They help to exfoliate and renew the upper layers of the skin and eliminate pigmentation. For ultrasonic peeling, special equipment is used, which facilitates the introduction of various preparations into the upper layers of the skin, causing skin renewal and whitening.
Laser treatment is performed using laser beams, which gently remove the top layer of the skin and promote its renewal. This modern technique is quite traumatic and painful. After its implementation, the use of various healing drugs is required. This procedure is best done in winter, because this time of year the rays of the sun are the least active. In addition to whitening the skin, laser beams improve its condition: it rejuvenates, becomes more elastic, acquires a beautiful and even tone.
Phototherapy: This procedure is performed using a laser device that produces intense light pulses. Light waves only reach areas of the pigment spot and destroy cells with a high content of melanin.

Cosmetics for age spots

To remove areas of pigmentation, cosmetic whitening creams are most often used. Dear women, treatment with such means should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, because inept use of them can cause the opposite effect - there are more pigment spots, they contrast more strongly with the main skin tone.

The doctor will determine the type of whitening cream and exclude possible contraindications to its use. Some cosmetics should not be used for kidney or liver disease. They are also contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

The most commonly used whitening cosmetics are:

Cream Achromin Alen Mak gently removes stains and protects the skin from ultraviolet rays.
Retin-A cream helps to reduce the amount of melanin in the skin.
VC-IP solution (based on vitamin C) - it is able to prevent hyperpigmentation of the upper layers of the skin.

Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of complex treatment of hyperpigmentation problems. Sun protection and topical application.

Folk recipes for age spots

In some cases, with superficial age spots on the face, time-tested folk recipes for masks and lotions can help.

Fresh cucumber mask: grate the cucumber on a fine grater, apply the resulting slurry on the face for half an hour. The mask can not be washed off, but simply removed with a napkin.
Yeast and lemon juice mask: 20 g of fresh yeast is mixed with 15 ml of lemon juice. The resulting slurry is applied to the face for 15-20 minutes and washed off with warm water.
Parsley lotion: Pour 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley into 100 ml of water. Let it brew for an hour and strain. Add 100 ml of milk and wipe the cleansed face twice a day.
Pour the strained parsley infusion into water molds and place in the freezer. Washing them in the morning quickly removes stains, tones the skin, and tightens pores.
Rice flour, honey and vinegar mask: Mix 2 teaspoons of rice flour with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Apply the mixture on your face for half an hour. Remove the mask with a dry cloth and rinse your face.
Mask of almonds and lemon juice: twist half a glass of almonds through a meat grinder and mix with lemon juice and a little water. Apply the mixture on your face for 20 minutes. Wash off the mask with warm water.
Mask of potatoes and egg yolk: boil one potato in its skin, peel it and mash with a fork. Add the egg yolk to the resulting puree and mix. Apply to the face and keep the mask until the potato has completely cooled. Wash off with warm water.
Protein mask: mix the protein of 1 egg with the juice of 1/4 lemon and 3-4 drops of hydrogen peroxide. Apply to the skin for 10 minutes, rinse with water or milk, apply a nourishing cream.
Lotion of milk and vodka: mix milk and vodka in a ratio of 3:1. Wash your face at night.

Folk recipes have a rather mild effect on the skin of the face, but in order to avoid skin irritation and allergic reactions, it is recommended that before using them, try to apply the product on a small area of the skin of the inner surface of the forearm. If redness does not appear after 15-20 minutes, the product can be used.

Age spots are not just a cosmetic defect, from the appearance of which literally no one is immune, they can also be a symptom of certain diseases. In most cases, age spots are completely harmless., it is simply the accumulation of a large amount of melanin in a relatively small area of the stratum corneum of the skin, epidermis or dermis.

Very often age spots appear after too much exposure to the sun.. Also, the accumulation of a large number of melanocytes in one place can provoke a hormonal imbalance. And only in very rare cases, such spots can indicate the occurrence of a pathological process. Therefore, when age spots appear, you should not panic, but visiting a dermatologist will be very useful.

What do age spots look like?

They usually have a brownish or reddish color and smooth edges. Their sizes can be very different, often several spots are combined into one. Usually the spots are concentrated in one place or are collected in groups, so any dermatologist can easily distinguish them from, for example, allergic spots. Most often, age spots appear with age.

Senile age spots are the most common phenomenon, they often appear after 50 years and are otherwise called liver or sun spots. In young people, such spots rarely appear, but it is also possible. It must be understood that such spots are absolutely safe, they are a manifestation of age-related changes in the human body.

In fact, any age spots, such as age spots, chloasma or moles do not pose any threat to human health. But the fact that spots are a serious cosmetic defect is undeniable, so most people try to deal with them.

Causes of age spots

As we have said, most often spots appear in adulthood, but they can also occur in young people. The main causes of age spots in young people are:

fluctuations in hormone levels, which are most often caused by or taking hormonal contraceptives;
use of low-quality or inappropriate cosmetics;
taking certain medications.

The most common cause of age spots is skin aging. Over time, skin cells lose their ability to stop melanin synthesis. This is due to the fact that with age, the human liver and kidneys begin to function worse, all harmful substances and toxins cannot be fully eliminated, so they begin to exit through the skin. This leads to damage and hyperpigmentation of skin cells. The situation is aggravated by jumps in hormone levels during menopause.

During pregnancy, age spots are also common. During this period, they occur due to an excess of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. After childbirth, such spots usually disappear on their own without any treatment, but sometimes it takes up to several years for their complete disappearance.

Diagnosis of age spots

Age spots usually appear under the influence of sunlight, so fair-skinned people are much more likely to have them. But people with darker skin are also not immune to their appearance. The color of the spot can be very different and range from light brown or reddish, to gray and even black. Typically, age spots appear on those areas of the skin that are most often affected by sunlight.

Most often, age spots are located in groups, so they are easy to recognize. The appearance of age spots is usually accompanied by the development of other signs of aging, the appearance of wrinkles, increased dryness of the skin, and coarsening of it. Often thin wreaths become noticeable on the cheeks, on the nose and on the ears.

Recognizing age spots is quite simple and on your own, but you should not refuse a consultation with a dermatologist. This is due to the fact that some skin diseases in appearance resemble age spots and can be confused. Most often confused with age spots:

seborrheic keratoses, which look like dark growths on the skin that resemble warts;
moles or birthmarks;
lentigo- a type of skin cancer that appears in the form of small spots, gradually darkening and increasing, such spots rise slightly above the skin and have a non-uniform color and contour.

Besides, sometimes the manifestation of an allergy can be confused with age spots. Sometimes during pregnancy, even those foods and substances that previously had no effect on the body can cause allergies. Therefore, if the spots appear suddenly, have a red tint, and especially, are localized in places inaccessible to the sun, you should suspect an allergy and consult a doctor.

Prevention of the appearance of age spots

In order not to have to treat age spots, you can try to prevent their occurrence. The most effective method of preventing the appearance of age spots is to minimize exposure. If you plan to go outside, be sure to use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Keep in mind that a good sunscreen should be as broad spectrum as possible and protect against both alpha and beta radiation.

Do not forget about mechanical methods of protection from the sun, such as hats and umbrellas. A wide-brimmed hat can hide not only the face, but also the shoulders from the sun's rays. And during periods of greatest solar activity, it is better to try not to go out. The rays have the most destructive properties from 10 am until about 4 pm. At this time, the skin must be hidden under clothing, and the eyes should be protected with sunglasses.

Some vitamins help prevent the appearance of age spots. Everyone knows that vitamins C and E, as well as some others, are antioxidants. They compensate for free radicals that damage the skin and help prevent blemishes.

Treatment of age spots

A simple pigment spot poses absolutely no danger to human life or health, but negatively affects the appearance. That is why so many women try to get rid of these spots. Modern medicine offers either a reduction in spots, or their complete elimination.

There are several ways to remove age spots:

Use of bleach. This is a very long procedure that is completely painless, but not always highly effective. The spots may become lighter and less noticeable, but not completely disappear.
The use of depigmenting agents. The effect of the application is visible after 1-2 months. For example, the Neotone complex, consisting of a night serum that removes age spots and prevents the formation of new ones, as well as a sunscreen with a high degree of SPF50 + protection, which effectively protects the skin from the sun and also prevents the appearance of age spots.
Cryotherapy. This procedure involves the treatment of the skin with liquid nitrogen or another substance with a low temperature. After such a procedure, the skin is lightened, but it can only be done in small areas and there is always a risk that scars will remain.
Laser treatment. When using this method, the spots disappear after a few weeks, while the side effects were practically not recorded. But the cost of this method will not be affordable for everyone.
Dermabrasion. The essence of this procedure is to polish the skin with a brush rotating at high speed. This allows you to remove the top layer of the skin, which is gradually restored, but its pigmentation becomes normal.
Peeling. Exfoliating the skin with chemicals and abrasives also helps to get rid of the top layer of darkened skin and get soft, brightened skin.

Folk methods against age spots (Video)

For those who have not yet decided on expensive salon procedures for the treatment of age spots, simple folk methods can be recommended. Such procedures, although they require some effort, are much cheaper and can be carried out at home.

Parsley copes well with age spots on the face. Parsley-based masks are recommended for use by people over 40 years old. You can use both fresh herbs and plant roots. The composition of such masks may include other plants, dairy products and honey. A decoction of parsley with a drop of lemon juice fights very effectively against age spots. If you wipe the skin with this lotion twice a day, the spots will become much lighter or even disappear completely.

Cucumber is traditionally used as a skin lightening agent. You can simply apply it fresh to the spots, or you can prepare masks and lotions with it. A good cream is obtained from cucumber juice and any vegetable oil. You can also add some lemon juice to it. Very often, berry masks are used to eliminate age spots. Almost any berries are suitable for this purpose, such as strawberries, raspberries, strawberries, currants. Age spots in children can be removed with the pulp of watermelon.

Very often age spots are removed with the help of herbs. The flowers of black elderberry help to cope well with stains, they must be poured with a glass of boiling water and heated for 10 minutes in a water bath. After the broth has cooled, it must be filtered and can be used. Dip a napkin into the decoction and apply to the face. Carry out the procedure 5-6 times in 5-10 minutes. In the first week, you need to do maxi daily, and then you can do it once a week. According to the same recipe, you can prepare a decoction of centaury.