Introduction
Pigmentation spots are irregularities in the color of the skin, which are noticeable in dark or light areas of the skin. The most common pigmentation marks on the forehead include age spots, melasma, freckles and vitiligo. Vitiligo, in contrast to other pigment spots, is a hypopigmentation, i.e. a pigment disorder that is accompanied by light, white spots on the forehead, face or hands.
Freckles, age spots and melasma, on the other hand, are hyperpigmentations, i.e. pigment spots that manifest themselves through dark, multi-pigmented patches. In itself, pigment spots on the forehead are harmless, but especially women often find them disturbing and annoying and feel less attractive because of them. By means of various therapy options, pigmentation spots on the forehead and face can be easily removed. Among the most common pigment spots, among others, are the widespread “age spots” and freckles as well as melasma, which mainly affects pregnant women. Vitiligo is one of the pigment disorders that are accompanied by a discoloration or white coloration of the forehead.
Causes
There are many different causes for pigmentation marks on the forehead. The most important of these include a genetic predisposition to pigmentation, hormonal disorders, cosmetics and allergies. From a biological point of view, however, every pigment disorder is based on a defective regulation of the melanocytes.
Melanocytes are specialized skin cells whose task is to produce a brownish pigment called melanin, which protects our skin from UV damage. However, if UV rays have a continuous and damaging effect on us over many decades, after some time a thickening of the epidermis and an increased storage of melanin occurs. As a result, the skin appears permanently tanned, i.e. hyperpigmented. A pigmentation disorder has thus occurred, which manifests itself, for example, as an age spot. If, on the other hand, genetic factors lead to a reduced activity of the melanocytes and thus to a reduced storage of melanin, hypopigmentation occurs, i.e. pigment spots with light, white patches.
