The 3 Main Conditions That Cause Skin Discoloration
As we age, we may notice that our skin loses flawless tone and plump, healthy glowing complexion that we were once use to. We start developing small spots or patches of discoloration on our face, neck, and hands. While this is normal and often harmless, we may feel self-conscious about the way it looks, especially when it is present on our face. So before we dive into treatments that can effectively help restore our even skin tone, let’s look at the three main conditions that cause skin discoloration.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure is the primary culprit for skin discoloration. The sun causes common pigment conditions like freckles, sun spots, and melasma. Our skin contains melanin, the pigment that produces skin color, which absorbs ultraviolet rays to protect the body from the sun. The more melanin or, the darker the skin tone, the less the skin may react to sun exposure. Avid sun worshippers have skin that is more likely to develop discolorations faster as they age. Sun exposure causes melanin in the skin to overproduce in small areas and clump together, resulting in sunspots. An increase in melanin also leads to an increase in discoloration. While anyone can develop skin discoloration, people with lighter skin tones are more prone to it and to developing skin cancer. This is one of the main reasons that wearing sunscreen is critical in proper skincare.
Melasma
Melasma, also called chloasma when it occurs during pregnancy, is a common skin problem that causes dark, discolored patches on the skin, primarily seen in women. The discolored skin patches are usually on the face (most commonly on the cheeks, upper lip, chin, and forehead) and symmetrical with matching marks on both sides of the face. These patches can also occur on other body parts, including the neck and forearms, if these are often exposed to the sun.
Age
Discoloration on the face, hands, and body, or age spots, also called liver or sunspots, often occurs in the 40’s and only increases as we continue to age. As we get older, our skin loses natural moisture and becomes dry and thins out. Our skin produces less collagen, necessary for healthy, smooth, and plump skin. This makes our skin more prone to develop scaly patches and discolorations. Depending on ones skin tone, the possibility of developing age spots earlier or later increases Sunspots are often confused for freckles, which are inherited and more visible with sun exposure.
Available Treatments
Once age spots develop, they often do not fade with time. However, with a proper treatment protocol from a licensed medical professional can help reduce the appearance, and in some cases, remove them all together. These treatments can include prescription lightening creams (hydroquinone) used alone or with chemical exfoliating through glycolic acids and retinoids (tretinoin). Medical grade skincare can also be used to strengthen and rehydrate the epidermal layers of the skin, as well as help fade discoloration.
Laser resurfacing treatments for melasma and intense pulsed light therapies are highly effective and target melanin granules and melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) without damaging the skin’s surface. We highly recommend our Broadband Light Therapy (BBL), which involves cutting-edge technology and is known as the best IPL for on the market. Our Sciton device, which can be used on all areas of the body, reduces the appearance of sun damage, pigmentation issues, redness, and broken capillaries, resulting in a beautiful, more even complexion.
Chemical peels and microneedling treatments for melasma, aid in cell turnover, increase the production of collagen and elastin. These treatments also remove the uppermost layer of your skin, thereby lightening discoloration and enhancing the skin's overall appearance and skin health. We offer a range of chemical peels from the SkinCeuticals TCA Chemical Peel, which is a 3-step peel that uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to remove dead skin cells and stimulate new skin cell growth, to our VI Peel for skin health, texture, pore size and discoloration. Our SkinPen is the number 1 FDA cleared micro needling device on the market and it the gold stand in micro needling treatments. These help obtain younger-looking skin and is an effective regimen for treating discoloration, melasma, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and to increase the overall health of the skin.
Conclusion
As we age, we will likely notice discoloration conditions on our face and body in the form of small dark spots and patches. While prevention through daily use of SPF and a proper medical grade skincare routine can help delay the onset of melasma and age spots, do know that highly effective laser treatments, micro-needling sessions and chemical peels are available if you wish to restore the youthful look and feel of your skin once discoloration occurs. These treatments can also be used at preventative measures.
At Aesthetic State of Mind, we offer a free skin analysis with our award winning VISIA facial analyzer to help us see what is beneath the surface.
Laser resurfacing treatments for melasma and intense pulsed light therapies are highly effective and target melanin granules and melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) without damaging the skin’s surface. We highly recommend our Broadband Light Therapy (BBL), which involves cutting-edge technology and is known as the best IPL for on the market. Our Sciton device, which can be used on all areas of the body, reduces the appearance of sun damage, pigmentation issues, redness, and broken capillaries, resulting in a beautiful, more even complexion.
Chemical peels and microneedling treatments for melasma, aid in cell turnover, increase the production of collagen and elastin. These treatments also remove the uppermost layer of your skin, thereby lightening discoloration and enhancing the skin's overall appearance and skin health. We offer a range of chemical peels from the SkinCeuticals TCA Chemical Peel, which is a 3-step peel that uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to remove dead skin cells and stimulate new skin cell growth, to our VI Peel for skin health, texture, pore size and discoloration. Our SkinPen is the number 1 FDA cleared micro needling device on the market and it the gold stand in micro needling treatments. These help obtain younger-looking skin and is an effective regimen for treating discoloration, melasma, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and to increase the overall health of the skin.
Conclusion
As we age, we will likely notice discoloration conditions on our face and body in the form of small dark spots and patches. While prevention through daily use of SPF and a proper medical grade skincare routine can help delay the onset of melasma and age spots, do know that highly effective laser treatments, micro-needling sessions and chemical peels are available if you wish to restore the youthful look and feel of your skin once discoloration occurs. These treatments can also be used at preventative measures.
At Aesthetic State of Mind, we offer a free skin analysis with our award winning VISIA facial analyzer to help us see what is beneath the surface.
Recommended Treatments
Medical Grade Skincare
Broadband Light Therapy
Chemical Peels
Microneedling Treatments
Request a free consultation to get a custom treatment plan developed to fit your exact needs!
Broadband Light Therapy
Chemical Peels
Microneedling Treatments
Request a free consultation to get a custom treatment plan developed to fit your exact needs!
