Dark spots on the skin are caused by hyperpigmentation, a condition that occurs when too much skin pigment is produced in one or more areas of the skin. Dark spots are usually harmless, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, although they can be embarrassing if they develop on the face. Dark spots occur as the result of several skin conditions.
Age Spots
Age spots, also called liver spots, form after years of exposure to the sun or tanning lamps or beds. The spots appear tan, brown, gray or black depending on your skin color and usually appear on areas of the body that receive significant sun exposure, sun as the face, hands and arms. When sun damage occurs, the body tries to protect itself by producing more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. When you are younger, excess melanin produces a uniformly tanned appearance, but as you age, melanin may begin to clump in certain areas of the skin, causing age spots. Having a family history of age spots may increase your risk of developing these spots.
Melasma
Melasma occurs when large areas of the skin on the face, neck, forearms, abdomen and other areas darken for unknown reasons. The condition usually affects women and is more likely to affect people of North African, Indian, Latin, Mediterranean, Asian or Middle Eastern descent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. You may have a higher chance of developing melasma if a family member is affected by the condition. Sun exposure and some medications can worsen the condition.
Cholasma
Melasma caused by the influence of female hormones is caused cholasma, also known as the "mask of pregnancy." Pregnancy, hormone therapy and the use of hormonal birth control methods can cause cholasma by causing the skin to produce too much melanin. Cholasma may disappear or fade if you stop using hormonal birth control methods or therapy, or when pregnancy ends.
Freckles
Freckles are tiny spots of tan or brown skin that occur due to sun exposure. Freckles usually appear in groups and may overlap to create larger spots. People who have lighter skin are more likely to develop freckles because they naturally produce less melanin. If you have light skin, you may not produce enough excess melanin to achieve a tan when the skin is damaged by the sun. Tiny spots of darker skin may appear rather than an overall tan. Continued sun exposure may darken freckles or cause more freckles to form. If freckles aren't particularly dark, they may fade over the winter and then darken again when you spend more time in the sun.
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