Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsExposure to UV LightSkin ConditionsMedicationsOther CausesTopical TreatmentsCosmetic and Medical TreatmentsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Exposure to UV Light
Skin Conditions
Medications
Other Causes
Topical Treatments
Cosmetic and Medical Treatments
Prevention
Dark spots are often harmless, but if you want to remove them, you can try at-home topical treatments. Some people choose to undergo medically supervised laser treatment or chemical peels, but these are not appropriate for everyone.
Verywell / Zoe Hansen
The sun and tanning beds are the most significant cause of dark spots. They are most likely to appear on parts of the body that receive the most sun: the face, back of the hands, shoulders, arms, and back.
Hyperpigmentation often appears during middle age because that’s when the skin starts to show the consequences of sun exposure. This is especially true if you didn’t use sunscreen and other sun-protective measures consistently earlier in life.
People with light hair or skin and who have had many sunburns, or severe ones, are at particular risk for dark spots.
However, UV exposure alone may not cause hyperpigmentation. Rather sun exposure combined with other factors cause the skin to develop dark spots. For instance, the risk of pregnancy-related hyperpigmentation may be increased with sun exposure.
Is It Skin Cancer?Dark spots are generally harmless, but there are times when they could becancerous. Check with your healthcare provider if spots that have the following features, which may indicate skin cancer:Asymmetry:One side has a different shape than the otherBorders:Edges are unevenColor:The spot has multiple colors (noncancerous marks are usually one color)Diameter:The spot is larger than 6 millimeters in diameterEvolving:It changes over time
Is It Skin Cancer?
Dark spots are generally harmless, but there are times when they could becancerous. Check with your healthcare provider if spots that have the following features, which may indicate skin cancer:Asymmetry:One side has a different shape than the otherBorders:Edges are unevenColor:The spot has multiple colors (noncancerous marks are usually one color)Diameter:The spot is larger than 6 millimeters in diameterEvolving:It changes over time
Dark spots are generally harmless, but there are times when they could becancerous. Check with your healthcare provider if spots that have the following features, which may indicate skin cancer:
There are several different skin conditions and diseases that can cause dark spots. However, these are not the same as age-related dark spots. They include:
How Melanoma vs. Sunspots Look on Skin
Certain medications can cause dark spots because they make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure (also known asphotosensitivity). These include the following:
A number of medical conditions can cause discoloration of the skin. Specifically, dark spots may also be a symptom of these conditions:
Some research has indicated that hydroquinone may cause cancer at higher concentrations.For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration has limited the concentration of hydroquinone to 3% to 4% in prescription products and 2% in over-the-counter (OTC) products.
Side effects, including redness, swelling, and skin irritation can occur with any topical medication. Skin lightening products contain abrasive ingredients that also make the skin extremely sensitive to UV exposure. So it’s essential to wear sunscreen with SPF consistently throughout treatment.
Arbutin: An Anti-Inflammatory Skin Care Ingredient
Healthcare providers and estheticians can use medical procedures to treat dark spots on any part of the body. They are often used along with topical treatments. However, some may not be appropriate for people with sensitive skin. Options include:
Microdermabrasion Process and Benefits
As you age, dark spots may be inevitable. However, there are some ways to help avoid getting dark spots or prevent faded ones from returning:
What Does the SPF Number Mean?
Summary
Dark spots commonly occur as people age. They are often the result of past sun exposure. But they can also be due to some skin conditions, medications, and certain medical conditions.
Dark spots are usually harmless. Even so, some people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. Treatment options include skin-lightening creams and cosmetic procedures.
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