The skin is a remarkably complex organ which reflects your body's overall health. We all want to achieve healthy-looking skin and can do this by providing it with essential nutrients and protecting it from damage. However, damage to the skin can still happen and one of the most upsetting changes in the skin is often due to discoloration or liver spots. If you can understand and accurately identify the cause of the change, that is the first step in treating the condition and being able to prevent future occurrences.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a pigment disorder in which the coloring of the skin is disturbed. The cells which give the skin its color, known as melanocytes, are no longer able to produce melanin. This results in patches or whitish skin and the hair on the affected area/s usually becomes white also. The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown but it often occurs following a physical trauma and has also been linked to a deficiency in stomach acid production. According to the Vitiligo Society UK, a sufferer should supplement their diet with B complex vitamins, vitamin C and zinc in order to help improve the condition.
Melasma
Melasma is a common skin condition which causes patchy brown, tan or blue-gray facial skin discoloration. These patches usually appear on the face, which makes the condition even more upsetting for the sufferer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the cause is still unknown but most melasma occurs in women; people with darker skin tones tend to be affected more often. The condition may be triggered by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, sun exposure and cosmetics. In fact, it occurs so often in pregnancy that it is often called "chloasma faciei" or "mask of pregnancy."
Liver Spots
Liver spots, also known as age spots, are flat, gray, brown or black spots which usually appear on areas most exposed to the sun over long periods of time. In response to sun exposure, the body produces extra melanin, or skin pigment. Melanin begins to clump together, forming noticeably darker liver spots. They are most commonly found in people over 40 but can also appear in the young. The spots can be accompanied by other signs of sun damage, such as deep wrinkles and thinning skin. Liver spots are actually completely harmless, but do tend to look very similar to cancerous growths, so if you are worried you should have them examined by your doctor.
