beauty

Facial Remedies Remedies

The spots on the face are unpleasant blemishes that make the image of the person ugly, giving the face an apparently unhealthy appearance. Typical - but not exclusive - sign of skin aging, spots on the skin of the face are often the result of the unstoppable progression of the biological clock.

Over time, the activity of melanocytes (cells used for the synthesis of melanin pigment) is altered to the point that the distribution of melanin is no longer uniform: the skin of the elderly is spotted precisely due to the alteration in the synthesis mechanisms of the pigment.

However, physiological aging is not the only responsible for skin blemishes. Other factors are involved in the formation of stains on the skin of the face: UV rays, smoke, smog and environmental insults can weaken the functionality of the melanocytes, therefore predispose to the risk of spots on the face. Do not forget, then, the leading role of hormones in the manifestation of spots on the skin: so much so that, precisely because of the hormonal changes, pregnant women and women approaching menopause complain of this disorder (see chloasma or gravidic mask). Finally, the spots on the skin of the face can also reflect some pathologies, first of all Addison's disease, type I diabetes and skin tumors (eg melanoma).

The spots on the face can be dark or light in color:

  1. Dark spots on the skin: freckles, solar lentigo, lentigo senili, efelidi, melasma (gravidic mask)
  2. White spots on the skin: vitiligo, Pityriasi Versicolor, white spots caused by fungal infections

What to do

  • Waiting and having patience is certainly the best remedy for the spots on the face that are typical of pregnancy: in all probability, after the birth of the baby or after breastfeeding, the melasma disappears thanks to the restoration of hormone levels
  • Cosmetic products with depigmenting and lightening action undoubtedly constitute one of the most effective remedies to counter dark spots on the skin of the face
  • Apply vitamin E-based creams to the face: tocopherol is a powerful antioxidant indicated to counteract free radicals. In general, thanks to the anti-inflammatory and anti-radical properties, the creams enriched with vitamins or other antioxidants are able to prevent damage caused by oxidative stress
  • Covering products (eg foundation): although not acting directly on the cause, cosmetics with a covering action are very effective for camouflaging skin blemishes such as spots on the face
  • Prefer mild and non-aggressive cleansers for face and body cleansing
  • Strengthen the immune system: stress, seasonal allergies and flu diseases can negatively affect the white patches on the face, making the disorder even more evident

What NOT to do

  • Expose yourself to the sun immediately after a treatment with exfoliating agents
  • Expose yourself to the sun without adequate sun protection for your skin type
  • Apply depigmenting cosmetics / drugs to the skin during pregnancy: some substances (eg retinoids) are potential teratogens, capable of inducing serious birth defects
  • Use aggressive and poor quality cleansers for face and body hygiene
  • Stop a hormonal treatment (hypothetical cause responsible for the spots on your face) without first consulting your doctor
  • Take drugs (eg Foscan, Photobarr, Visudyne) or photosensitizing substances (eg hypericum, bergamot, cumin, star anise, kava kava) before undergoing a laser treatment to remove some dark spots from the skin

What to Eat and What NOT to Eat

  • There is no scientific evidence that relates food to the improvement or worsening of the symptoms of spots on the skin of the face. It is recommended to follow a healthy, balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and low in fat.

Natural Cures and Remedies

Even nature can help to alleviate unpleasant skin blemishes such as dark spots on the face. For this purpose, packs, creams or other natural cosmetic products (topically applied) can be formulated with:

  • Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ): the depigmenting properties of glycyrrhetinic acid are used to remedy unsightly dark spots on the skin. The active ingredients extracted from licorice inhibit the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme (which controls the biosynthesis of melanin in epidermal melanocytes)
  • Green tea ( Camellia sinensis ): topical application of green tea extracts is a natural remedy against dark spots on the skin thanks to the inhibitory action exerted at the level of the tyrosinase enzyme
  • Chamomile ( Matricaria recutita ): applied to the skin, chamomile is indicated as a remedy against dark spots on the face because it can weaken the process that leads to melanogenesis stimulated by UV rays. Chamomile has no effect on the tyrosinase enzyme
  • Bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva urs i): Arbutin, a substance judged to inhibit the production of melanin through the binding competition with tyrosinase receptors, is obtained from the extract of its seeds.
  • Donkey milk baths (cosmetic treatment performed in wellness centers)

Pharmacological care

PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS THAT REQUIRE MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION

  • Depigmenting treatment with tretinonin, a retinoic derivative that cannot be used in cosmetics due to its teratogenic effect
  • Treatment with azelaic acid against melasma and freckles
  • Treatment with antifungal creams to combat white spots on the skin due to fungal infections. The most indicated active ingredients are: Miconazole, Ciclopirox, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole

COSMETIC TREATMENTS THAT REQUIRE THE DOCTOR'S OPINION

  • Chemical exfoliants (alpha and beta hydroxy acids): lactic acid, cogic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, glycolic acid
  • Polydroxyacids (eg Lactobionic acid and Gluconolactone), indicated for lightening dark spots on the skin

Prevention

  • Avoid exposure to the sun, especially during the hottest hours of the day
  • Always apply a generous layer of sunscreen before leaving home, especially on the face
  • Avoid frequenting crowded and highly polluted environments
  • Stop smoking

Medical treatments

Medical treatments to remedy unsightly dark spots on the face such as freckles, freckles and sun lentigo are:

  • Laser therapy: acts directly at the level of the melanocytes, destroying them without however having negative consequences for the treated tissue
  • Diathermocoagulation with the electrosurgical unit: it causes the literal destruction of tissues thanks to a high frequency current stimulus
  • Cryotherapy: alternative medical treatment to remove dark spots from the skin such as freckles. Applied directly on the dark speckle, the liquid nitrogen used in the treatment induces a cold burn. In this way, the stain disappears leaving a small scar, which however resolves itself over a short period of time
  • When the white spots on the face reflect a metabolic pathology such as diabetes or alterations to the thyroid it is strongly recommended to undertake a specific therapy for the underlying disorder as soon as possible.