What are Dark Spots & What are They Caused By?

There are many different factors that may cause dark spots on the skin. The sun is the biggest concern with dark spots. Although Vitamin D (sunshine vitamin) is an important vitamin to expose the body to, it has to be done in a safe way. Age and pregnancy can also cause unsightly spots.

Hyperpigmentation (too much melanin production) and hypopigmentation (lack of melanin) are the two pigmentation disorders. Hyperpigmentation includes; chloasma, hyperpigmentation, lentigo, melisma, nevus, stain and tan. Hypopigmentation includes; albinism, leukoderma and vitiligo.

Pigmentation: Hyperpigmentation

There are seven main hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin. Four of the seven are caused by sun exposure.

1. Chloasma or liver spots, is increased pigmentation. Sun exposure causes chloasma. Melasma, which is a type of chloasma, becomes present during pregnancy. This can be treated by exfoliation treatments by a physician.
2. Hyperpigmentation is an over production of pigment. The increase of melanin causes excess pigment. This can be caused by sun exposure, acne, medications, and skin damage from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
3. Lentigo is a flat, pigmented area that looks like a freckle. They are small yellow-brown spots.
4. Melasma is hyperpigmentation triggered by hormonal imbalance. Pregnancy or birth control can create melisma. A pregnancy mask is common among pregnant women. This “mask” is a pigmentation disorder that is brown and appears on the face during pregnancy. It will usually fade with time, but if exposed to the sun, it can make it worse.
5. Nevus or birthmark is a malformation of the skin. This is caused by abnormal pigmentation or dilated capillaries.
6. A stain is abnormal brown or wine colored discoloration. Stains can occur after certain diseases.
7. Many people don’t realize that when your skin tans, it is actually damaging the skin cells. The tan color you see is the skins way to produce melanin in reaction to UV radiation that damages the skin. A tan is visible skin and cell damage.

Pigmentation: Hypopigmentation

1. Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by the lack of melanin pigment in the body. This disorder can occur in the hair, skin, and eyes. Albinism in people can put that person at high risk for skin cancer and early aging.
2. Leukoderma is the loss of pigment. This looks like light, abnormal patches in the skin.
3. Vitiligo are completely white patches in the skin that are completely lacking pigment.

Content Provided By: Alexia Hites