Nissan Pilest, M.D., Director of Total Dermatology: Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Clinic in Irvine, California, states that facial dark spots, also known as hyper-pigmentation, are most commonly linked to sun exposure and skin aging. Cosmetic treatment and minor surgical procedures may correct facial darkening, but spots will continue to develop.
Skin Darkening
Skin darkening is produced by the skin's natural melanin pigmentation process. When additional skin cells with normal pigmentation occur in one isolated area of the face, the spot appears darker than the surrounding skin. Facial spots are usually shades of brown and are called a hyper-pigmentation.
Causes of Darkening
Dark facial spots are also referred to as "liver" spots, although the liver terminology has nothing to do with the pigmentation process, according to the National Institute on Aging. The dark spots are related to age, hormonal fluctuations, sun damage or hereditary causes. Damage to the facial skin through acne outbreaks, rashes related to eczema or psoriasis, and damage created after laser surgery or chemical peels, can also create dark face spots.
At-Home Treatments
Cosmetic treatments for minor facial spotting include the application of prescription-level Hydroquinone, a skin lightening product that is used by the patient at home over a series of days, usually at least a week course of treatment. The prescription use is adjusted based on the size and darkness of the spot. Alpha Hydroxy and Retin-A acids are additional prescription drugs used in the dermatologist's office or at home to exfoliate the top layers of the skin. These treatments are not recommended for extended use beyond one year due to side effects that include sensitivity to the sun and extreme dryness, according to OrthoNeutrogena, the manufacturer of Retin-A.
Office Treatments
Cosmetic products that require medical application in a clinic or office include trademarked products that peel off the top layers of facial skin to expose the clear levels underneath. Such peel techniques must be done by a trained professional, since the results of a poorly-executed procedure may be worse than the original spots. Several peel products incorporate an ingredient that slows the production of the naturally-produced melanin.
Other office procedures include laser removal, skin resurfacing, acid peels and microdermabrasion, a process that uses a vacuum of micro-crystals to polish the dark skin from the face. Light therapy, also known as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Photo Facial treatment, is a recent innovation that uses flashes of light to exfoliate dark spots. The treatment is effective in removing most minor facial spots, according to IPL studies done in 2006 by the Shiseido Research Center in Yokohama Japan.
Maintenance
Darkened skin will reappear when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Direct sunlight and artificial suntanning should be avoided. The American Cancer Society recommends the use of wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, application of sun block, and wearing head scarves to help minimize exposure to skin damaging rays, both UV-A and UV-B, and help prevent skin drying that makes the facial spots appear darker.
Member Comments
moleremoval1 May 17
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