How to deal with skin blemishes

Published on June 16, 2022 By Gentle Touch | Last updated on June 16, 2022

Skin blemishes occur when our body produces more melanin than average. Melanin colors the eyes, skin, and hair.

Dark spots on the skin are not a cause for concern and do not need treatment, although people may choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons. Depending on the cause, people may call some types of dark spots on the skin age spots or sun spots.

This article looks at what causes dark spots on the skin and how people can remove them using dermatological treatments and home remedies.

Skin blemishes

Most people, to a greater or lesser extent, suffer or have suffered from skin blemishes, especially women. The face is exposed to external factors that can damage the skin. In addition, it is the most visible area of the body, so many people with facial blemishes want solutions that help eliminate them or, at least, mitigate and disguise them.

The good news is that they can be completely eliminated, but knowing the type of blemish and the most appropriate treatment in each case is essential.

Prevention before treatment

The first tip for preventing blemishes is, without a doubt, to avoid overexposure to the sun. To do this, it is essential to use photo protectors all year round, not just in summer, and apply them to all exposed areas, including the hands.

Other advice from the expert is to take nutritional supplements to prepare the skin for the arrival of good weather and to avoid the use of tanning booths. This will also prevent the development of any skin cancer.

If the person takes a photosensitizing drug, it is essential to take extreme precautions since its use can cause skin blemishes when exposed to the sun.

In the case of spider veins in the lower extremities, it is advisable not to stand or sit for long hours to promote blood circulation.

Causes of skin spots

There are several different causes of dark spots, which we describe here:

• Sun damage

Also called sunspots, lentigines, or liver spots, people can develop dark spots on their skin after exposure to the sun or sunbeds.

Areas of the body most exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, or arms, are more likely to develop sunspots.

• Hormonal changes

Melasma is a skin condition that causes small patches of discoloration. The situation is more common in women, especially during pregnancy.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), hormones can trigger melasma.

• Side effects of medications

Some medications may contribute to getting more pigmentation in our skin. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tetracyclines, and psychotropics are the most common culprits.

• Inflammation

Dark spots can develop after an attack of inflammation in the skin. Inflammation can occur for several reasons, including eczema, psoriasis, skin lesions, and acne.

• Wound healing

Many blemishes on our skin can continue after a cut, a burn, or even an insect bite. Some people have a terrible healing process that could affect their skin.

• Irritation

Cosmetic skin or hair products may irritate the skin, causing dark spots.

• Diabetes

Diabetes may cause certain areas of the skin to get blemishes. Conditions associated with diabetes include acanthosis nigricans, which causes darkened, velvety skin and pimple spots, or diabetic dermopathy, which people may mistake for age spots.

Things to keep in mind

It is essential to keep in mind that all treatments require rigorous photoprotection both before and after the procedures.

It is also advisable, especially in patients with dark skin, to use depigmenting products before and after these treatments to prevent the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Another critical point is to inform patients of their recovery time, how the skin will look immediately afterward, and the expected evolution. This is important because many procedures will allow immediate return to daily activities, but others, on the other hand, will require a more or less prolonged period of recovery.

In addition, before starting, patients should always inform about their previous pathologies, and their usual medication since some of them could contraindicate specific treatments.

How to remove dark spots

A dermatologist can offer creams or procedures to lighten dark spots or, in some cases, remove them. Procedures are more expensive than creams and are more likely to cause side effects, although they tend to work faster.

The treatment will depend on different conditions, such as the size of the spot and the body area.

Your dermatologist may recommend one of the following treatments for dark spots on the skin:

Laser treatment

There are different types of lasers available. The most common laser for treating dark spots on the skin uses an intense pulse light laser. This light aims at the melanin and breaks up the blemishes.

Microdermabrasion

During microdermabrasion, the dermatologist uses a particular device that has an abrasive surface to remove the outer layer of skin. This treatment promotes new collagen growth, which can help reduce blemishes.

Chemical peels

A chemical peel involves applying a solution to the skin, which exfoliates the surface, leading to skin regrowth. It can gradually fade dark spots on the skin.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a procedure that involves applying liquid nitrogen to the dark patches to freeze them, which damages the skin cells. Healthy skin is usually lighter afterward.

Prescription skin lightening cream

Prescriptions of lightening creams usually work by whitening the skin. This treatment typically works slowly. It usually takes several months to dismiss the blemishes on the skin's appearance.

Hydroquinone, an active ingredient in creams, prevents the skin from producing melanin. Prescription products tend to have a concentration of 3 to 4 percent.

At Gentle Touch, we will help you to get the skin that you want. If you have questions about our skin treatments, do not hesitate to contact the Gentle Touch Team to get a Free Consultation. Please call (860) 216-6225 to schedule your appointment or email info@GentleTouchCT.com.