Diagnosis
A dermatologist can distinguish harmless pigmentation disorders of the neck from other diseases. In the case of large and/or irregularly shaped age spots, for example, skin cancer screening should be used to rule out that there is skin cancer behind them. In very rare cases, benign age spots turn into malignant skin cancer.
However, a malignant skin cancer can be very similar to age spots, which is why large and irregular age spots should be presented to a doctor. The dermatologist will examine the pigment disorder in question with a dermoscope and, if the diagnosis is questionable, take a tissue sample. Melasma is easily recognized in pregnant women by its typical appearance: The pigment disorder is extensive and dark.
Therapy
Since pigmentation disorders of the neck cannot cause physical problems, treatment is not necessary. However, therapy can be started if the affected patient is under severe psychological stress. A rather invasive method of treating dark pigmentation disorders of the neck is laser treatment.
The laser destroys the affected cells and thus removes the dark areas. Laser treatment is expensive and can have side effects: Inflammation, burning, itching and repeated hyperpigmentation of the affected skin area. Less invasive is the chemical peeling, which is carried out with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), for example.
The acid is applied to the affected skin areas, thus destroying the cells of the pigment disorder. The skin then blisters and then heals without any further pigment disorder.The least invasive is the use of skin care products that contain substances that inhibit melanin production. Products containing hydroquinone are subject to prescription.
Skin care products containing the following ingredients are available without a prescription: Arbutin, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), kojic acid, vitamin C derivatives, retinoic acid and B-resorcinol. In addition, people suffering from a pronounced pigment disorder can cover up the troublesome skin symptoms with the help of cosmetics. In the case of hypopigmentation, self-tanning products can be used, for example.
