Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.
Full Answer
Why do sunspots appear darker than their surroundings?
Sunspots on the photosphere of the sun appear dark because the temperature of the sunspot region is comparatively cooler than the temperature of the sun’s surrounding areas. This reduced temperature region that is sunspot, radiates only one-fourth of the light emitted by the rest of the sun’s surface.
Why are sunspot darker than surrounding areas?
Why do sunspots appear darker than the surrounding areas on the sun? All in all, the sunspots appear dark because the are darker than the surrounding surface. They're darker because they are cooler, and they're cooler because of the intense magnetic fields in them.
Why are sun spots darker than the surrounding area?
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the Sun’s photosphere that appear as spots darker than the surrounding areas. They are regions of reduced surface temperature caused by concentrations of magnetic flux that inhibit convection. Sunspots appear within active regions, usually in pairs of opposite magnetic polarity.
Why are sunspots colder than the surrounding areas?
Sunspots are areas where the magnetic field is about 2,500 times stronger than Earth’s, much higher than anywhere else on the Sun. This in turn lowers the temperature relative to its surroundings because the concentrated magnetic field inhibits the flow of hot, new gas from the Sun’s interior to the surface.
Why is my sun spot getting darker?
Prolonged sun exposure causes age spots to develop. UV light from the sun speeds up the skin's production of melanin (the skin's natural pigment). When more melanin forms in a particular area, the skin has more pigment and becomes darker. This is known as hyperpigmentation.
Does pigmentation get darker before it gets better?
Yes. Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.
How many treatments does it take to get rid of sun spots?
Some laser and intense pulsed light therapies destroy melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) without damaging the skin's surface. These approaches typically require two to three sessions.
What is the best treatment for dark sun spots?
Best In-Office Treatments to Target Dark Spotshydroquinone (a bleaching cream)mild steroids.retinoids, such as tretinoin (an acne cream)
Does hydroquinone make spots darker before lighter?
"When you use hydroquinone at a high percentage, it can cause darkening of the skin, instead of the desired fading of a particular spot," he says.
Can hydroquinone make dark spots worse?
Hydroquinone may be helpful in epidermal-type melasma. Concentrations vary from 2% to 10% and hydroquinone may be used twice daily for 12 weeks. Hydroquinone may cause local skin irritation, however, and thereby leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making the skin pigmentation worse.
How long does it take for dark spots to fade after laser treatment?
The most common (and expected) side effect is a darkening of the more superficial brown spots of the areas being treating. This darkening of superficial brown spots will flake off after about 7-14 days. There can also be generalized redness of the sin and redness around the brown spots (like a halo).
How many laser treatments does it take to get rid of sunspots?
One treatment is often enough to be effective, but some people may want to do as many as three treatments depending on the level of sun damage.
Can sunspots be removed permanently?
Most Sunspots (often known as “liver spots” though they have nothing to do with your liver) fade somewhat over time. They typically do not disappear completely because the skin has been permanently damaged by the sun.
Why wont my dark spots fade?
The condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and it's insanely common among all skin tones. The spots typically appear after your skin has experienced some type of inflammation (acne, mosquito bites, or other traumas).
Does laser treatment remove dark spots?
High-energy pulsing lasers can safely and effectively remove many unwanted brown and red spots on your skin, including liver spots, age spots, sun spots, broken capillaries, birthmarks, and angiomas (red spots). Once the lasers do their job, you can have a more even skin tone.
Does Retinol fade dark spots?
Retinol can be effective in lightening the skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots. It does so by promoting skin shedding, which improves cell turnover rate and hinders the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, which encourages the production of melanin.
At-Home Remedies for Sunspots
Consider trading regular facial cleanser for an exfoliating cleanser. These often have salicylic or glycolic acids to remove dead skin cells with excess pigment. Add a brightening serum or vitamin C to the skincare routine, which will help smooth the skin so that it reflects light more evenly.
Prescription Medication for Sunspots
A doctor can prescribe skin solutions that are stronger than anything a patient can get over the counter. These may include hydroquinone, which halts the production of melanin and inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme that controls melanin production 4. This is a powerful product, and must be used under the direction of a doctor.
Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels
If sun spots resist other at-home methods, patients may wish to look at professional procedures. Microdermabrasions help exfoliate and remove the superficial layer of dry and dead skin cells 5.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Using a laser to resurface the skin can improve skin tone and texture, and is quite effective in reversing sun spot damage 7. Micro-fractional carbon dioxide laser, or micro-fractional CO2 works by destroying the upper layers of skin to reveal dramatic results.
How to diagnose sunspots?
Diagnosis. Your doctor or dermatologist can likely diagnose sunspots through a routine exam. If one or more of the spots looks suspicious, you may need a biopsy. Sunspots typically do not require medical care, but if you notice any of the following changes in a spot’s appearance, be sure to see your doctor:
What is the best treatment for dark spots?
It would be best to discuss your options, which include the following, with your doctor: Chemical peels: Salicylic acid and glycolic acid treatments that remove the top layer of skin. Laser treatment : Uses concentrated light energy to remove top layers of skin, essentially burning off the dark spots 4.
What is a sunspot?
Sunspots are one type of hyperpigmentation that is caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure. They are usually: When several sunspots group together, they can appear as a larger spot. Sunspots typically turn up on areas of high sun exposure, such as: 2.
How does skin get its color?
Skin gets color from melanin, which is made by specific cells in the skin. When too much melanin is produced by these cells, your skin darkens. 1 Sunspots are very common, especially in people more than 50 years old. Jeffrey Coolidge / Getty Images.
What is the treatment for dark spots on the face?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy : Targets melanin granules and melanin-producing cells to lighten the skin without damaging the skin’s surface. Cryosurgery: Uses liquid nitrogen to freeze sunspots, causing the darkened skin to peel away.
Do sunspots look suspicious?
Sunspots that don’t look suspicious require no treatment and don’t cause any symptoms. If you don’t like the way they look, you can diminish the spots' appearance at home or through professional treatments.
Can sunburns cause cancer?
Having a history of sunburns, especially severe ones, also increases your likelihood of developing sunspots. Sunspots usually are harmless, but sometimes they can become cancerous. 3 Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimalarials, and tetracyclines, can also cause spots.
Why do dark spots fade?
Hormones or genetics are the main triggers for the patches of discoloration known as melasma. In dark skin tones, the greater concentration of melanin in the skin means hyperpigmentation is more common and takes longer to fade.
What causes dark spots on the face?
What triggers hyperpigmentation and dark spots? Any trauma to the skin, including UV and chemical exposure, heat, cuts, bruises, irritation, hair removal, and acne, can cause the inflammation that triggers the skin’s protective melanin response (hyperpigmentation).
What is the best skin brightener for hyperpigmentation?
Essential Skin Brightening Ingredients. Niacinamide is a key ingredient in treating hyperpigmentation. It blocks melanin from reaching the surface of the skin and prevents additional UV damage. As both micro-exfoliator and melanin-inhibitor, Mandelic acid targets dark spots at the cellular and surface level .
How does active treatment affect pigmentation?
Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.
Where does pigment come from?
Pigment production begins in the deeper layers of the skin and naturally rises to the surface where it concentrates in dark spots. The skin is constantly regenerating, which means the pigmented cells will naturally slough off.
Does vitamin C help with dark spots?
These ingredients will prevent pigment from forming and fade existing dark spots, making them key players in your brightening regimen. LEARN 6 WAYS VITAMIN C FIGHTS DARK SPOTS. Some gentle physical exfoliation in the form of a mild scrub will boost help to lift dead skin cells.
How to prevent dark spots from getting darker?
There are, however, a few things people can do to decrease the chances of dark spots and prevent them from getting darker: Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even when the sun is not bright . Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the skin further .
What causes dark spots on the face?
Anyone can develop dark spots on the skin. Certain risk factors appear to increase a person’s chances including: 1 sun exposure 2 pregnancy 3 skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis 4 trauma or injury to the skin 5 medications that increase pigmentation 6 liver disease 7 diabetes
Why is my skin dark?
Diabetes. Diabetes can cause areas of the skin to become darker. Conditions associated with diabetes include acanthosis nigricans, which causes darkened, velvety skin, and shin spots or diabetic dermopathy, which people may confuse with age spots.
What kind of laser is used to remove dark spots?
Different types of lasers are available. The most common laser to treat dark spots on the skin uses an intense pulse light laser. The light targets melanin and breaks up the dark spots.
What are the dark spots on your skin?
Sun damage. Also called sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, people can develop dark spots on their skin after being exposed to the sun or tanning beds. Areas of the body that receive the most sun exposure, such as the face, hands, or arms, are most likely to develop sun spots.
What color are dark spots on the body?
Dark spots on the skin can range from light brown to dark brown. The color of dark spots may depend on the tone of a person’s skin. The spots are the same texture as the skin and are not painful. Dark spots also vary in size and can develop on any part of the body but are most common in areas often exposed to the sun.
How does prescription lightening cream work?
Prescription skin-lightening cream. Prescription-lightening cream works by bleaching the skin. It typically works gradually and takes several months to decrease the appearance of dark spots. Hydroquinone, which is the active ingredient in the creams, prevents the skin from producing melanin.
How to get rid of sun spots on face?
It is believed to promote new cell growth and may help fade sunspots when applied to the skin. Over-the-counter creams. There are many topical creams available over the counter that you can apply at home to remove sunspots on your face. Look for creams containing glycolic acid, hydroxy acid, hydroquinone, kojic acid, or deoxyarbutin.
What is the best way to remove sun spots?
Apple cider vinegar. Acetic acid, which is found in apple cider vinegar, may help lighten skin pigmentation and improve the overall appearance of your skin. Green tea. Some websites suggest that applying green tea bags to the skin can help fade sunspots.
What is the best vitamin for dark spots?
Topical L-ascorbic acid protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays, promotes collagen production, and has been found to be effective in lightening dark spots. Vitamin E.
What is the best vitamin for sun damage?
A diet rich in vitamin E. Trusted Source. , and taking a vitamin E supplement, offers protection against sun damage and can improve your skin’s health, especially when taken together with vitamin C. Applying vitamin E oil provides even more benefits for your skin against sun damage and may help lighten sunspots.
How long does it take for a sunspot to heal?
Healing typically takes anywhere from 10 to 21 days. Intense pulse light (IPL). IPL uses pulses of light energy to target sunspots on the skin.
What are the brown spots on the skin?
Sunspots, also known as liver spots or solar lentigines, are very common. Anyone can get sunspots, but they are more common in people with fair skin and those older than 40. They are flat brown spots that develop on the skin after sun exposure (during which, UV radiation causes pigmented skin cells called melanocytes to multiply).
Does licorice help with sunspots?
Some of the active ingredients in licorice extract may help lighten sunspots and other skin discoloration aggravated by sun exposure, such as melasma, which is common in pregnant women and referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.”. Many topical creams for lightening sunspots include licorice extract. Vitamin C.
How to treat sunspots?
Doctors can treat sunspots by slowing down or stopping the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme. They describe drugs that achieve this as having “antityrosinase activity.” The effects that they have can help lessen the appearance of sunspots.
What is the best treatment for sun spots?
Topical creams. Topical creams are treatments that people apply to the skin. Several creams contain ingredients that target the tyrosinase enzyme and reduce the appearance of sunspots.
What is the best way to lighten skin?
Licorice extract. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors sometimes recommend licorice extract to lighten the skin. The main component of licorice is a chemical called glabridin. According to a review from 2009, glabridin has antityrosinase activity and can prevent UVB-induced hyperpigmentation.
How long does it take to get rid of sun spots?
The duration of treatment necessary to treat sunspots depends partly on the type of treatment. In general, though, it may take weeks to months for treatment to cause noticeable changes to the skin. For example, the skin-lightening effects of dermabrasion may take 6–8 weeks.
What are the dark spots on the face?
Sunspots, which doctors may refer to as solar lentigines, are dark brown, flat, rounded spots that may appear on the face or other areas of sun-exposed skin. Sunspots are most likely to develop in the following areas: The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation that stimulates the production of skin cells called melanocytes.
What is a sunspot?
Overview. Causes. Treatments. Home remedies. Treatment durations. Summary. Sunspots are dark-colored spots that can develop on areas of sun-exposed skin. Despite their appearance, sunspots are benign and not a sign of cancer.
Can caffrum be used for sunspots?
The researchers, therefore, concluded that H. caffrum could be useful as a treatment for sunspots. However, further studies are necessary to confirm its effects in humans.
What are the dark spots on my face?
If you have dark spots on your face or other parts of your body that have been exposed to the sun, they may be age spots. You should see your doctor to confirm that they are not cancerous lesions, especially if you are older or you have a history of sun exposure or sunburn.
How to prevent age spots?
To prevent age spots from developing, you can: Wear a sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher every day. The sunscreen should be broad spectrum, meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays. Cover up with a hat and clothing whenever you are outside .
Why do you need to wear sunscreen after laser resurfacing?
It is essential to wear sunscreen while using topical creams because the skin will be more sensitive to the sun. In addition to sensitivity to the sun, specific side effects for each treatment are as follows. Laser resurfacing: Skin will peel for 5-7 days after treatment.
What is the best way to remove age spots?
Options include: Topical creams: Skin-lightening creams (such as hydroquinone) and tretinoin (retinoic acid) can be applied to the age spot daily and are available with and without a prescription.
What are age spots?
Age spots are also known as liver spots, sun spots or solar lentigines (lentigo for only one). They are flat marks that develop on the skin. They appear in different shades of brown, tan, or black. Age spots are harmless, but it is important to see your doctor to confirm that they are not cancerous moles. Age spots usually develop later in life on ...
What are age spots called?
Age spots are also called other things, like solar lentigines, liver spots or sun spots. These marks come out after periods of exposure to the sun and may be prevented by limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen. You should see a doctor to make sure spots are not cancerous.
How do you know if you have age spots?
These age spots are not painful. Symptoms include: Brown, tan, or black patches of skin that may get darker after spending time in the sun. Discolored areas of different sizes, from the size of a tiny freckle up to an inch in diameter. Flat patches that appear on their own or clustered in a group.
How to lighten sunspots?
Cut up a red onion and rub it over the sunspots. Take a sharp kitchen knife and chop 1 large red onion up into 6-8 large chunks. Pick up 1 of the onion chunks and rub it across a dark sunspot for about 30 seconds. The acid in the onion helps to lighten up the dark color of sunspots.
How to remove sun spots on face?
Get a chemical peel to remove layers of sun-spotted skin. If your doctor agrees that a chemical peel will help remove your sunspots, they’ll apply a mild acid to your face. This treated layer of skin—which typically contains the unwanted sunspots—will peel off, allowing fresh new skin to grow in its place.
How to get rid of sun spots on hands?
This acid—made from fermented rice—has been shown to reduce the appearance of sunspots. 30 minutes before you go to bed, apply a small dollop of the topical cream to sunspots on your face, hands, and arms and rub the cream into your skin.
How to get rid of sun spots on skin?
The common treatment method that your doctor might use to cure chronic sunspots on your skin includes the following: Prescription of skin lightening creams and lotion that can help to remove dark sunspots from your skin. Prescription Oral drugs that can help to lighten your skin and clear away sunspots.
What does it mean when you have sun spots on your face?
Sometimes sunspots on your skin might show up as symptoms that resemble that of skin fungus. Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a skin condition that develops from sunspots that are characterized by dry scaly white patches that look like skin fungus.
What is a freckled spot?
Freckles are types of sunspots on skin. Usually, they are small black, brown or red pigmented dots or patches that can occur on the surface of the skin due to sun exposure. Sometimes they are known as lentigo.
What are the dark spots on my skin?
Solar lentigines are small dark spots that can develop on your skin due to exposure to sunlight. Also, these spots can also appear as black, brown, pink, red, grey or white in color depending on your skin tone or color. The sunspots on your skin can be either raised spots or flat patches that look like liver spots or age spots.
What are sun spots on the body?
The common areas of your body that can develop sunspots include scalp, face, shoulders, arms, and legs.
Can sunspots cause blisters?
If the sunspots develop into bumps or blisters that can bleed easily. When sunspots are accompanied by other strange symptoms such as chronic skin rash and blister. If your skin develops sunspots that causes severe itchiness or burning sensation that you cannot withstand.
Can tanning beds cause dark spots?
The UV- light from the artificial lamp or tanning beds can stimulate melanocytes on your skin to produces excess melanin that can result in dark sunspots or age spots. Long exposure of your skin to the harmful UV light from the artificial lamb can also result in serious skin damage.
Treatment
- There are many professional and at-home treatments that you can use to help fade or remove sunspots. Well explore these options along with tips for sunspot prevention. Well also explain how to distinguish between sunspots, birthmarks, and skin cancer. Sunspots are harmless and treati…
Symptoms
- You cant help but be concerned when you notice a dark spot on your skin. Certain features can help you distinguish between sunspots, birthmarks, and skin cancer: Sunspots. These are flat areas of skin discoloration that can be tan or varying shades of brown. They appear on the parts of your body that get the most sun exposure, such as your face, shoulders, back, and the backs …
Causes
- Skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Skin cancer results from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells and can be caused by UV rays from the sun and tanning beds, or genetic mutations.
Types
- There are several types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type and melanoma is the deadliest. A new, changing, or growing mole or spot is a warning sign of possible skin cancer, along with lesions that itch, bleed, or dont heal. Skin cancers also tend to have irregular borders.
Diagnosis
- Sunspots are harmless, but any spot that grows quickly, changes in appearance, or seems unusual should be evaluated by a doctor.
Risks
- Though treatments are generally safe, some may cause temporary discomfort and redness. Speak to your doctor about the possible risks associated with each treatment.
Prevention
- The only way to prevent sunspots is to limit your exposure to UVA and UVB rays. To prevent sunspots:
Symptoms
Causes
- The most common cause for sunspots on the skin is lifetime sun exposure or artificial UV exposure from tanning beds or salon nail polish lamps that use UV light.2 Although the exact reasons why some people are more likely to develop sunspots is unknown, genetics may play a role.1 Lifetime UV light exposure can result in sunspots in middle age and b...
Diagnosis
- Your healthcare provider or dermatologist can likely diagnose sunspots through a routine exam. Sunspots typically do not require medical care, but if you notice any of the following changes in a spot’s appearance, be sure to see your healthcare provider: 1. Increase in size 2. Turning black 3. Irregular border 4. Bleeding 5. Unusual color combination
Treatment
- Sunspots that don’t look suspicious require no treatment and don’t cause any symptoms. If you don’t like the way they look, you can diminish the spots' appearance at home or through professional treatments.
Prevention
- You cannot prevent sunspots due to past UV exposure from forming, but you can prevent future sunspots and old sunspots from getting darker after you’ve lightened them. Steps you can take include: 1. Using sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 every day, applying 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying every two hours5 2. Wearing protective clothing…
A Word from Verywell
- Although the dark spots that develop on your skin may be concerning, they are often harmless. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider, though, if you notice any changes in the spots. If you do not like the appearance of sunspots, try at-home treatments or talk to a dermatologist about which options are best for you.