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Understanding brown spots on skin: Causes and treatments
Have you been noticing brown marks on your face or hands popping up lately? Then, you may be looking at an age spot.
We have seen them on countless faces, especially in tropical countries with harsh, sultry sun. No matter your best efforts, these little spots may appear on your skin, especially in late adulthood.
Once we spot them on our faces, the next stage comes when we try to figure out how to get rid of them. In this phase, we may rummage through the internet to find a viable solution.
If you have the same goal, you have reached the right piece. This article examines the causes and ways to improve such harmless skin conditions.
Join us as we delve further into the topic.
What are brown spots on the skin?
Dark spots on the skin are generally caused by the overproduction of melanin. It is the pigment in our system that gives colour to our eyes, hair, and skin. Depending on the appearance and cause of the spot, people may call them age spots or sun spots.
They are generally flat, brownish, or grayish and appear on the sun-exposed areas of your skin. These are also known as senile lentigo, liver spots, or solar lentigines and are generally harmful.
They might pop up in clusters or singularly on the surface of your skin at any point in your lifetime.
While some of them may start developing at an early age, even during childhood, most of them peek out during late adulthood. It happens, especially if you get a lot of sun exposure!
The good news is these brown spots on skin are not cancerous and do not develop into cancer either. That being said, if you are concerned, we recommend that you visit a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis.
Also read: Age Spots on Face: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment
Why do brown spots suddenly appear on the skin?
As already explained, age spots are the not-so-desirable fruits of extreme sun exposure- especially if you are someone who does not use sunscreen. That is why most people develop them in areas like:
- The face
- The backs of their hands
- Forearms
- Shoulders
- Upper back
As science says, when your skin is exposed to the sun, its primary reaction is to produce good old melanin to protect itself. This pigment blocks the UV rays from further damaging our skin and DNA. This is the reason when we soak in the sun for prolonged periods; our skin gets darker in colour. Due to this exact reason, people with fair complexions get sunburns easily, and those with rich brown skin are less prone to such issues.
Sometimes, the skin can experience an uneven increase in melanin production. It happens when the pigment gets clumped up and spills in between the skin cells, giving them the appearance of patchy brown spots.
Wondering why brown spots suddenly appearing on skin even though you have limited sun exposure?
Experts are yet to discover why they pop up exactly, but some opine it may be hereditary. So, simply put, these spots may run in your bloodline and appear on the surface as you age.
How do you treat brown marks on the face?
If you feel that the brown spots are conveying to people you are past your prime, you can fade them effectively with ease. Sometimes, you even get rid of them for good!
Want to learn how? Let us tell you the easy way first.
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Reach out for serums and creams
Keep your eye out on a synergistic blend of ingredients like Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Alpha Arbutin & powerful antioxidants like Vitamin C while choosing a good product. They are well known to reduce the appearance of dark marks and bring a spotless, radiant glow to your skin.
However, when combining these active ingredients, one must be careful about the right dosages to make them compatible for fading the age spots.
To make your skincare routine easier, reach out for a well-crafted product that is non-comedogenic and dermatologically tested. For instance, the Dark Spot & Hyperpigmentation Correcting Power Serum is a lifesaver when it comes to fading these stubborn spots.
With a concoction of active ingredients like the ones mentioned above, it contains Glutathione-Arbutin-Vit C and Complex Swiss Garden Cress Phytonutrients that allow your skin to reveal its natural glow.
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Dermatological procedures - an alternative way
One must, of course, reach out to the serums and creams as a primary stance. However, if you are looking for a quick solution, then a number of procedures like laser therapy and chemical peels are also trending nowadays. However, they are expensive and may have undesirable side effects.
Therefore, it is essential to choose a path wisely before taking the leap. If you ask us, we would recommend you stick to a routine and give the effective creams and serums a try!
Also read: How to Reduce and get Rid of Dark Spots on Face Effectively
How can brown patches on the skin be prevented?
To prevent brown patches on skin, the first line of defense must always be sunscreen. As dermatologists state, everyone must wear sunscreen that has at least SPF 30 on their highly sun-exposed areas daily and reapply if they are outside.
If you are looking for some good suggestions, we recommend using the Mineral Matte Tinted Sunscreen if you are exposed to the sun moderately. Conversely, if you like to be under the sun for a while to get a nice glowy tan, then the Dewy Hydrating Hybrid Sunscreen SPF 50+ will be your new best friend!
Apart from the sunscreen, you can reach out for 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, formulated with a potent and stable form of ascorbic acid. Laced with 7% Transcutol-P, the product penetrates the layers of your skin, enhancing the efficacy of the serum. Additionally, you can also consider wearing covered clothes or carrying an umbrella while stepping out in the sun.
Conclusion
Age spots are harmless changes that do not lead to any problems. However, if you are bothered about their appearance, you can adopt the methods mentioned above to lighten them. However, a wise, cautious approach beforehand would negate all requirements of treating the brown spots, as the age-old proverb rightfully states, "prevention is better than cure."
