Dark spots on the skin can occur for a variety of reasons ranging from trauma to aging. According to Dr. Mirkin.com, the most effective treatment for the darkened skin depends on the cause. Sun exposed areas of the skin are more susceptible to forming dark spots that can lead to skin cancer, while age spots usually are removed for cosmetic reasons. It is advisable to get a diagnosis from a dermatologist to determine the likelihood of medical complications prior to treating the spots with home remedies, however.
Causes
Most dark skin spots result from years of sun exposure. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, lentigines, or liver spots, are usually harmless and appear in areas of the body that are most exposed to sunlight, including the face, hands and the back of the neck. Bruises appear most often on older people because the skin becomes thinner with age. In addition to bumps and bangs, bruises can be caused by medicines that interfere with blood clotting functions. Skin allergies, cancer and bacteria also can cause dark spots on the skin.
Effects
Following an injury, the skin may develop postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The effects of the trauma include dark skin spots. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the skin disorder also may appear following a bout of eczema or acne and is most noticeable in people with darker skin tones, such as Native Americans or African Americans. The effects of the trauma, whether it's a cut or scrape or a chronic skin disease, can be lessened by early intervention to treat the underlying condition.
Warning
While most dark spots are harmless and may fade with time, you should see a doctor if the spots have certain characteristics or change over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, dark spots should be monitored over time to determine if they are malignant. Spots that change in color or shape or appear suddenly should be checked for signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
Diagnosis
Most skin spots can be diagnosed with a visual inspection. According to the Mayo Clinic, a physician often can tell just by looking if the spot requires further tests. When required, a skin biopsy is performed and the tissue is sent to a laboratory for a determination. A skin biopsy usually is performed on an outpatient basis in the doctor's office. The skin is numbed with a local anesthetic and a small sample is cut off with a blade.
Removal
When dark spots are deemed to be harmless, they can be removed through a variety of techniques. According to Dr. Mirkin.com, elevated spots can be removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen and peeling the skin away, through electrocautery methods or by burning them off with acid. Dermabrasion, laser surgery and chemical peels often are used to remove dark spots. Creams that contain hydroquinone, tritinoin and sunscreen can cause flat spots to fade.
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