Sun radiation is responsible for most of the unpleasant skin conditions as appearance of brown spots, appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, sagging of the skin, premature aging, enlargement of blood capillaries on the face.Pollution, stress, sunlight, fatty foods, cigarette smoke together with improper skincare compromise the skin’s appearance of brown spots.
Brown spots, also known as age spots, dark spots, sun spots, liver spots, lentigines, lentigos are concentrations of melanin trigged by unprotected exposure to the sun over a long period of time. These brown spots are also called “hyper pigmentation” – patches of the skin that become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin.Hyperpigmenation can be shortly defined as increase in the natural color of the skin. It occurs usually when an excess of melanin forms deposits in the skin.
WHAT CAUSES BROWN SPOTS:
- Sun exposure
- Aging
- Genetics
- Hormones
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Improper skincare
- Menopause
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Liver disease
- Birth control pills
- Result of acne
- Result of harsh chemicals
Brown spots are caused by a combination of sun damage and a decline in the hormones that regulate the production of melanin. When your skin is exposed to sun, the UV rays can easily break down the collagen and elastin and as a result the skin may become rougher and cause formation of brown, reddish spots due to the excess melanin. Prolonged sun exposure causes the skin cells to produce more melanin and cause surface pigment changes. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. It helps protect the skin from the harmful sun’s rays but increased amount of melanin pigment often result in formation of dark, brown spots. Brown spots, reddish spots often appear in the location where a pimple used to be and it is called “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” / darkening of the skin/. The post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is normal. Some acne lesions as cysts and nodules usually leave dark discolorations after the blemish heals, as well as rashes and allergies.
Fortunately most of these marks are temporary and the pigmented areas will fade in time / it usually takes approximately 3 months, but if the skin is exposure to sun without a protection it can take up to 2 years. Aside from sun exposure and hormones, hyperpigmentation can be caused by skin damage, such as remnants of blemishes, wounds or rashes.
Brown spots usually appear in areas exposed to sunlight – especially on the chin, around the nose and mouth. In older people brown spots may appear on the face, back, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands. These dark spots are a matter of great concern for many Latinas due to their skin characteristics and the environmental factors hot weather, sun, humidity.
