What Can Cause Skin Discoloration
Skin discoloration is often caused by frequent direct exposure to both ultraviolet light A and B. When this happens, the skin cells are damaged thereby disrupting the skin’s normal production of melanin. Skin will then become blotchy, its tone will become lighter or darker, and uneven brown spots may start to appear.
When the skin cells producing melanin are exposed to ultraviolet rays, the production of melanin increases and the excessive melanin accumulate on the skin, thereby producing spots referred to as skin discoloration, or the uneven darkening of some areas of the skin.
Freckles are one of the most common forms of skin discoloration. These are brown to darker brown spots often found on the back, arms, face, chest, and shoulders. Sometimes, freckles are not caused by sun damage but by hormonal changes. On the other hand, age spots, another type of skin discoloration, are skin mutations caused by frequent sun exposure and chronic sunburns.
Melanin is the culprit to skin discoloration. The skin color is provided by melanin, which is responsible for the different skin tone, the most obvious varying characteristic in the human appearance. However, excessive production of melanin often results in an increased dermal or epidermal pigmentation. Excessive melanin is manifested by dark spots on the skin.
Ways to Get Rid of Skin Discoloration
There are different ways to get rid of freckles, age spots, and dark spots caused by skin discoloration. There are creams and some treatment methods that can bring the skin back to its original condition prior to sun or light damage, irritation, or skin trauma. The best creams target reduction of freckles, age spots, melasma, and liver spots. However, there are treatments for skin discoloration that are intended to strip the skin of its excess melanin, thereby creating more unpleasant blotches and dark spots.
Generally, dermatologists recommend the use of skin whiteners or fade creams that are generally safer to use to lighten the spots on the skin. There are also skin discoloration creams made from plant extracts known to be safe and effective for treating hyper-pigmentation on the face elbows, arms, legs, and knees. There are also fade creams for age spots. There’s one thing to remember though when purchasing skin discoloration products – make sure they offer comprehensive skin protection from both indoor and outdoor UV rays and light.
Home Remedies For Treating Skin Discoloration
There are also home remedies that can help you treat your skin discoloration. Some of these are mulberry, licorice, kojic acid, bearberry, tomatoes, lemons, and orange peels. You simply have to apply any of these on the part of the skin that you wish to lighten at least three times a week and for around 20 minutes before rinsing. You can also use sour milk or lactic acid to wash your face for a gentle or mild peeling effect without dryness or irritation.
Skin discoloration is not a big problem anymore; however, when under any treatment; make sure to protect yourself as well by minimizing exposing your skin to harmful light and heat. You should also take some supplements good for the skin such as vitamin E.
Please see you physician if you have any questions about your skin discoloration.