Your skin is the largest organ in your body and one of the most important. It’s your first line of defense against most forms of physical harm, and it also acts as an immune organ.
So when you start noticing changes in your skin like dark spots, there can be cause for concern. There are many common causes for skin discoloration such as dark spots, and many of them are harmless. Most types are quite treatable, but how they are treated may differ depending on the cause.
If you live in the Yuma, Tucson, or Tempe, Arizona areas and you’re trying to get rid of dark spots, our experienced staff at Peach Skin & Laser can help. Using the latest techniques and technology, we deliver professional results for your skin.
What is a dark spot?
Dark spots are a form of hyperpigmentation, which is the result of high amounts of melanin being produced in some areas of your skin. Melanin is a dark pigment that occurs in your skin and hair and the iris of your eyes.
Dark spots are also referred to as age spots, sunspots, liver spots, and solar lentigines, depending on the cause. You will most often see these spots on your face, hands, shoulders and arms.
What’s causing the dark spots on my skin?
Dark spots can appear on your skin for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common.
Sun damage
Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays is a common cause of sunspots, liver spots, and solar lentigines. Tanning beds can also cause these conditions.
Aging
Age spots are more common in people over 50, but UV overexposure can cause you to get them sooner.
Hormonal changes
Pregnant women are likely to undergo hormonal changes that can lead to melasma, which can cause brown or blue-gray patches on your skin. These are common, harmless, and may go away after a few months.
Side effects
Some medications may trigger dark spots, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tetracyclines, and psychotropic drugs.
Inflammation
Eczema, psoriasis, acne, and other skin-inflaming conditions can lead to dark spots.
Irritation
Some cosmetic skin and hair products can cause skin irritation, which may result in dark spots.
Wound recovery
Insect bites, burns, and cuts can leave dark spots that may fade over time.
Diabetes
Diabetes and related conditions like acanthosis nigricans can cause dark spots that can be confused for age spots.
While the face, hands, shoulders, and back are common places for these spots to occur, you can get them anywhere on your body. Some of these may fade over time, but that can take years depending on how dark the spots are.
How are dark spots treated?
There are several methods for removing dark spots, including microdermabrasion, chemical peels, cryotherapy, and skin-lightening creams.
At Peach Skin & Laser, we use laser treatment provided by the Lumenis® M22™ laser. It is a type of intense pulse light (IPL) laser treatment that uses multiple wavelengths of focused light.
It can treat deeper into the skin with no harm to the top layer. This way, we can convert the pigment cells into energy, destroying unwanted pigment cells and allowing us to clear up the dark spots on your skin.
So if you have dark spots and you want to be rid of them, make an appointment with us at Peach Skin & Laser today to get started.