At SasiClinic, we treat clients with hyperpigmentation and dark spot concerns in our clinics every day. If you’ve been looking for a solution to hyperpigmentation, sun spots, dark spots, or other skin pigmentation issues, we’re here to help.
Today I want to share with you some of the main causes and solutions. If you’ve noticed more dark spots appearing on your skin lately and wonder what’s causing them, it is time you take us up on a few of these tips and understand some of the things that may be causing your dark spots.
The Main Causes of Dark Spots
No matter what skin type you have, dark spots can happen. If you’re wondering what causes these spots to darken over time, it can all be traced back to one thing – melanin.
Everyone’s skin contains some amount of melanin, which is just a natural pigment produced by your skin cells. Melanin acts as a form of protection for skin and hyperpigmentation forms when your skin has excessive amounts of it. This overload of melanin is what creates spots and patches that are darker in appearance than the surrounding skin areas, which can lead to skin discoloration and uneven skin tone.
Now, let’s dive into a few things that may be causing dark spots and solutions to fix them.
Cause: Too Much Sun Exposure
The leading cause of dark spots is actually sun damage. When your skin comes in contact with the sun’s harmful UV rays, it releases melanin to protect itself. Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen, absorbing the energy from UV rays and redistributing it. However, too much sun exposure at once can cause an overload of melanin, resulting in dark spots.
Hyperpigmentation is also a result of sun-damaged skin over the years, driven by frequent exposure to the sun while skin was left unprotected. That is why sunscreen application is so crucial!
The Solution: Use Sunscreen and Protect Your Skin!
If you’re noticing new skin pigmentation or an onset of dark spots, it’s time to start shielding your skin from the sun. Prevent UV exposure by wearing sun hats and using proper broad spectrum sunscreen like we have talked about before in our prior blogs. By adding daily sunscreen to your morning skin care routine, you are taking preventative measures to protect your skin now and in the future.
Cause: Hormonal Issues
You may not know it, but much like too much sun causes an increase in the production of melanin, hormones also play a role. Extra hormones stimulate melanin production. This type of hyperpigmentation is not always permanent and usually lasts until your hormone levels return to a balance.
Solution: Maintain a Solid Balance
The best way to stop or reduce pigmentation issues brought on by hormones is to bring your hormones back into balance. That may be obvious, but it is the truth.
If you believe hormones are the cause of your dark spots, we recommend setting an appointment to really develop a plan that best works for you and your body’s unique needs. We will help to guide you in the right direction and tailor a custom skin care programme for you to fix this pesky issue.
Cause: Inflammation
Finally, the third most common cause of dark spots is inflammation. Hyperpigmentation frequently forms after inflammation or injury to the skin. Things like acne, allergic reactions, and skin conditions can contribute to discoloration. When the skin is damaged, it tries to heal itself. As it does that, it produces excess melanin creating more problems with discoloration.
Solution: Lower Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural bodily response, but there are still ways to reduce it. When it comes to your skin, post Inflammatory hyperpigmentation happens because your body is trying to heal itself. While you may not be able to prevent it entirely, you can avoid some inflammation by choosing not to pick at pimples, don’t use harsh chemicals, and avoid undergoing intense skin treatments that might bother your skin texture and tone. Also, when you use acne products and other cleaners make sure to be gentle and finish things off with a soothing moisturizer.
