Pigment spots that stand out from the rest of the skin color, which are usually also called birthmarks or moles because of the dark coloring, are not only a cosmetic impairment for many people. Pigment spots can, as it were, be clear indications of a serious skin disease.
What are pigment spots?
Basically, these spots are characterized by the fact that they are not raised, that is, they are not visually higher than the surrounding skin regions. Known colloquially as pigment spots, the changes in the skin are referred to in medical terms as hyperpigmentation of the skin or chloasma. These irregularities are visually visible, as well as partially palpable, and differ in color from the surrounding skin areas. As a rule, the pigment spots have a light or dark brown, reddish or ocher surface. Basically, these spots are characterized by the fact that they are not raised, i.e. they are not visually higher than the surrounding skin regions. Another designation, which is the term melasma, is also correct. The typical features of both hyperpigmentation are characterized by the fact that melanin is deposited in a greater intensity at certain skin positions.
Causes
The causes of pigmentation spots are both internal predisposition and the influence of various external factors. In addition to the hormonal changes in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as through the birth control pill, pigment spots can increase. Other triggers for pigment spots are, as it were, some medications and the pre-existing disease of liver cirrhosis. in this context, hyper- or hyperpigmentation occurs as a secondary disease. External influences that directly affect the surface of the skin and contribute to the development of pigment spots are externally applied odorants such as sprays or perfumes, plant extracts in creams, and intense sunlight. In addition, genetic constellations may also be responsible for the formation of pigment spots.
Diseases with this symptom
- Age spots
- Shingles
- White spot disease
- Hyperpigmentation
- Acne
- Syphilis
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Psoriasis
- Skin cancer
History
In the development of the melanin accumulations that lead to localized discoloration of the skin as pigment spots, a shift in the normally homogeneous distribution of melanin in the skin plays a fundamental role. Some pigment spots, known as pigment naevi, are formed shortly after birth. During their formation, there is an increase in the size of abnormal skin cells that are actually composed of healthy melanocytes. Due to the increase in size of these melanocytes, which are responsible for normal skin color, smaller or larger pigment spots are formed over time. Depending on the type of pigment spots and cell growth, some of the moles may also be raised, meaning they can be felt above the healthy skin level.
Complications
In the majority of cases, pigmented moles represent a purely aesthetic problem for patients, but not a health problem. The pigment or age spots are mainly caused by the irradiation of the skin with sunlight in the course of life. However, they have little in common with malignant moles. For this reason, there are usually no complications to worry about if pigment spots remain without treatment. It is possible that the pigment spots increase in size or darken with age. However, this is a purely cosmetic blemish with no medical significance. If patients decide to have their pigment spots removed by a doctor for aesthetic reasons, various complications are possible. Often, a dermatologist removes the pigment spots using laser technology. The radiation significantly stresses and irritates the skin, which is why intensive sun should be avoided for several weeks before and after the treatment. Otherwise, there is a risk of renewed pigment formation, which can be stronger and darker than the original pigment spots. There is also a risk of patchy areas forming on the skin or uneven pigmentation.After laser therapy, the skin is also extremely susceptible to infections, so that increased attention must be paid to thorough personal hygiene. Mechanical stress on the lasered pigment spots also sometimes leads to complications during healing.
When should you go to the doctor?
As a rule, pigment spots do not need to be treated by a doctor. It is a harmless symptom that can occur in many people. Especially in the summer months or during periods of high sun exposure, pigment spots can increase. However, no special treatment is necessary in this case either. However, the affected person must apply sufficient sun protection and should generally not spend long periods in direct sunlight. This can prevent the pigment spots from spreading or intensifying. The patient must also be careful not to confuse the pigment spots with a birthmark. Therefore, if the spots change, it is advisable to consult a doctor. A benign tumor can be removed in the process. The change can be either in shape, size or color. It is advisable to always observe pigment spots and moles and consult a doctor in case of changes. If the patient is dissatisfied with his appearance due to the pigment spots, they can be treated dermatologically. For this purpose, either cosmetic care products can be used or treatment can be performed at the doctor’s office.
Treatment and therapy
In principle, it is possible to treat pigment spots. In this context, specifically selected medical methods are available. These are widely used in dermatology as well as in beauty medicine. As a rule, not only individual elements of treatment are required, but a whole complex of several medical measures. First of all, when outdoors, it is important to protect the skin characterized by pigment spots with an intensively acting UV blocker even from normal sunlight. Accordingly, the light protection must be extraordinarily high. As another variant of treatment, a therapy of pigment spots can be considered, which is carried out with external substances. Special chemical substances such as hydroquinone, glycolic acid and other medicinal substances are effective in this context. If no improvements are achieved despite these treatments, a special peeling can be performed to achieve color lightening of the upper layers of the pigment spots. More extensive interventions against pigment spots are the method of cryotherapy in the form of icing the moles, the so-called microdermabrasion or surgical removal. The non-surgical variants for the therapy of pigment spots also include the modern application of medical laser technology.
Outlook and prognosis
Pigment spots are not a serious medical problem that must necessarily be treated. They are a common symptom in many people and therefore do not need to be removed. However, in many cases pigment spots cause discomfort for the patient. This discomfort can lead to stress or even depression if the affected person feels very uncomfortable with the unusual skin appearance. This self-perceived discomfort, on the other hand, they can also discard with a clear conscience. If the pigment spots cause psychological stress, a psychologist should be consulted. Often the psychological problems can be solved relatively easily. There is no medical treatment. However, pigment spots can be relatively well covered by make-up articles, if they are unwanted by the affected person. In case of pigment spots on particularly disturbing areas, they can also be removed with the help of a laser. This treatment is not dangerous and does not lead to other complications. However, after the pigment spots are removed, a white spot appears, which does not heal further. Scars do not form. Peels and other cosmetic products usually do not help. People who find their pigmentation spots annoying should also enjoy UV radiation only with great caution, as it can lead to further pigmentation spots.
Prevention
Prophylaxis against the development of pigment spots is possible. This is particularly useful if pigment spots already appear on some parts of the body, although the causes are not directly known.Since mainly women suffer from pigment spots, protection from UV light, sun creams with a sun protection factor of at least 30 to 50 and medical creams are necessary. Similarly, the active ingredient carotene can be recommended, which is commercially available in the form of capsules. Covering open skin areas such as the face, décolleté and the arms is also useful as a preventive measure against pigmentation spots.
What you can do yourself
Pigment spots are a harmless symptom that usually do not require treatment. Therefore, there are no medical self remedies for pigment spots. However, they can be prevented by avoiding direct sunlight on the skin. In summer, the patient should in any case apply sunscreen over the entire area and reapply it if necessary. This can reduce the formation of the pigment spots. The sun protection factor should be at least 30. Especially women who take a contraceptive pill should use a relatively high protection factor in sun creams. Visits to solarium should be avoided in any case, as they promote the development of pigment spots. If the patient feels uncomfortable with the pigment spots, remedies from the drugstore can be used to cover the respective areas. Of course, this is only possible and advisable to a healthy extent. In the drugstore, you can also find toning creams and lotions that even out the skin tone of the affected areas. These can be used especially in winter. Especially for the face, there are peelings against pigment spots and other impurities on the skin. In discussions with a dermatologist, further possibilities can be found to reduce the disturbing pigment spots.
