About Sun Spots On Skin - What Are The Causes And How Can They Be Treated?
The problem of sun spots on skin is a very common one and many people develop these blemishes as they age. Sun spots are also called age spots and liver spots although their proper name is Lentigines. They are characterized as darker spots on the skin and can appear on the face and on the backs of the hands, in fact on any area of the body that is exposed to the sun including the chest, back, and even on the feet.
The sun is wonderful and we do need to be exposed to it for at least fifteen minutes every day for the benefit of our health. Our bodies need Vitamin D and this we obtain from the sun. However the sun also has harmful ultra violet rays and these are not good for us, as we all know. Although many people think that the all over golden tan makes them look full of youth, vitality, and glowing good health the truth is considerably different. Whenever we tan our skin in the sun we are actually causing havoc beneath the surface and the signs of this damage will show on the skin sooner or later.
Your skin contains cells in the outer layer or epidermis which are called melanocytes and these are responsible for the production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment responsible for giving color to the skin so those with darker skin have more melanin producing melanocytes while those with fairer skin have fewer. When you are exposed to the sun spots on skin begin to appear because there has been an increased amount of pigment released. This happens as the skin's way of protecting itself against the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Normally the spots will be a few shades darker than your actual skin color. They are usually flat and have an irregular shape.
How to know what are sun spots and what are not
* Sun spots are indications of damage caused by excessive exposure to the sun and they begin to make an appearance as we get older.
* They are relatively common in people who have darker complexions and in people who tan easily.
* Some women develop melasma when they are either pregnant or are on birth control pills. Melasma and sun spots are not the same thing. The former are large, flat, usually splotchy in appearance, and invariably appear of the face of women on birth control pills or who are expecting a baby.
Can anything be done to reduce, remove, and prevent sun spots on skin?
Yes! There are things one can do to not only prevent them from occurring but also reduce them once they have made an appearance. Obviously one of the best and most effective preventative methods is to limit your exposure to the sun. If this is not possible wearing a sun screen is essential and simply non-negotiable. If you already have sun spots on your face, hands, or elsewhere try applying a skin-lightening cream that contains only active natural ingredients rather than harsh, virtually unpronounceable chemicals that can end up doing more harm than good. Many skincare products on the market these days claim to contain natural ingredients but they contain such small quantities that they really do not do much good at all. Others that contain chemicals need to be used with caution. The chemicals used in the skincare products today have proven to be dangerous when used over time. Remember that what you apply to the surface of the skin is absorbed into the body.
You can also make an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss other treatment options such as laser treatments. These treatments usually cost in the region of around $150 depending upon the area of the skin that needs treatment. Of course one needs to bear in mind that there is the possibility that the treated area could actually become darker than it was before the treatment.
In Closing:
There are other means of addressing the issue of sun spots such as microdermabrasion, however these are not guaranteed to produce favorable results and the treatments can reach thousands of dollars. It is important to remember that sun spots should not be ignored as there is always the possibility that they can become cancerous. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing which sun spots will become cancerous and which will not. This is why it is important to see your dermatologist when you do notice a pigmentation problem just to be on the safe side.
The sun is wonderful and we do need to be exposed to it for at least fifteen minutes every day for the benefit of our health. Our bodies need Vitamin D and this we obtain from the sun. However the sun also has harmful ultra violet rays and these are not good for us, as we all know. Although many people think that the all over golden tan makes them look full of youth, vitality, and glowing good health the truth is considerably different. Whenever we tan our skin in the sun we are actually causing havoc beneath the surface and the signs of this damage will show on the skin sooner or later.
Your skin contains cells in the outer layer or epidermis which are called melanocytes and these are responsible for the production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment responsible for giving color to the skin so those with darker skin have more melanin producing melanocytes while those with fairer skin have fewer. When you are exposed to the sun spots on skin begin to appear because there has been an increased amount of pigment released. This happens as the skin's way of protecting itself against the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Normally the spots will be a few shades darker than your actual skin color. They are usually flat and have an irregular shape.
How to know what are sun spots and what are not
* Sun spots are indications of damage caused by excessive exposure to the sun and they begin to make an appearance as we get older.
* They are relatively common in people who have darker complexions and in people who tan easily.
* Some women develop melasma when they are either pregnant or are on birth control pills. Melasma and sun spots are not the same thing. The former are large, flat, usually splotchy in appearance, and invariably appear of the face of women on birth control pills or who are expecting a baby.
Can anything be done to reduce, remove, and prevent sun spots on skin?
Yes! There are things one can do to not only prevent them from occurring but also reduce them once they have made an appearance. Obviously one of the best and most effective preventative methods is to limit your exposure to the sun. If this is not possible wearing a sun screen is essential and simply non-negotiable. If you already have sun spots on your face, hands, or elsewhere try applying a skin-lightening cream that contains only active natural ingredients rather than harsh, virtually unpronounceable chemicals that can end up doing more harm than good. Many skincare products on the market these days claim to contain natural ingredients but they contain such small quantities that they really do not do much good at all. Others that contain chemicals need to be used with caution. The chemicals used in the skincare products today have proven to be dangerous when used over time. Remember that what you apply to the surface of the skin is absorbed into the body.
You can also make an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss other treatment options such as laser treatments. These treatments usually cost in the region of around $150 depending upon the area of the skin that needs treatment. Of course one needs to bear in mind that there is the possibility that the treated area could actually become darker than it was before the treatment.
In Closing:
There are other means of addressing the issue of sun spots such as microdermabrasion, however these are not guaranteed to produce favorable results and the treatments can reach thousands of dollars. It is important to remember that sun spots should not be ignored as there is always the possibility that they can become cancerous. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing which sun spots will become cancerous and which will not. This is why it is important to see your dermatologist when you do notice a pigmentation problem just to be on the safe side.
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