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The spots on the skin of the face represent one of the main signs of skin aging, procured by the inexorable advance of the biological clock, but not only.
That of the spots on the skin of the face is sometimes a big and obvious problem, which afflicts many women, but also many men. In these cases, only the dermatologist can direct the patient towards the treatment most suited to the subject's needs.
In this article the main types of stains that can appear on the skin of the face and the related remedies currently available to treat them will be briefly analyzed and described.
Causes
As mentioned, the etiological factors that disfigure the skin of the face causing spots can be different. Age, in fact, is not the only cause that determines them. Among the other factors responsible for the onset of these imperfections, we recall:
- Infectious and non-infectious diseases (such as, for example, pityriasis versicolor, couperose, vitiligo, pityriasis alba, etc.);
- Genetic and hereditary factors (freckles and freckles);
- Hormonal factors (melasma and chloasma, the latter also known as "gravidic mask");
- Medications (following the use of some types of drugs, in fact, spots may appear on the skin of the face);
- Irritating substances (following contact with irritants, spots may appear on the skin of the face).
However, regardless of the triggering cause, the spots on the face are the consequence of alterations in the functioning of the melanocytes - the cells involved in the production of the melanin pigment - which, due to the aforementioned factors, produce (in excess, or in defect) altered amount of the aforementioned pigment. In this way, the distribution of melanin does not appear uniform and the face is stained with patches - lighter or darker, depending on the case - decidedly unsightly.
Lentigo senili
Senile lentigo are the typical example of spots on the skin of the face caused by the aging process.
Skin aging is a natural and biological event that cannot be avoided; despite what has been said, there are some factors that can enhance the skin's decay. Surely, solar radiation, smoking, smog and wind can accelerate the phenomenon of skin aging: free radicals damage the skin, making it more delicate and fragile. The mechanisms that regulate the production of melanin weaken and the result is an irregular production of the pigment: age spots appear, very evident at the level of the hands and face: they appear dark in color, usually roundish, caused by hyperpigmentation which involves not only the superficial layer of the skin (stratum corneum), but also the deeper ones.
Furthermore, if the age of the skin is also associated with UV radiation, which damages the skin and oxidizes keratin, the epidermis tends to appear increasingly thick and massive.
Solar lentigo
Stains on the skin of the face can be the consequence of excessive exposure to solar radiation. In these cases, therefore, we speak of solar lentigo, which appear in the face and in the areas most exposed to the sun and UV radiation. These spots are dark yellow or hazel.
Normally, sunspots do not represent a real problem, if not a skin blemish that can be unwelcome to many.
Melasma and Cloasma
Stains on the skin of the face can also occur in individuals using estrogen-based drugs (such as the contraceptive pill or drugs used in hormone replacement therapy).
Hormonal changes are, in fact, also perceived by melanocytes, which could alter the rate of pigment production (a disorder known as melasma).
Precisely because of this hormonal overhang, even pregnant women may have some spots on the skin of the face, usually gray or brown ("pregnancy spots"). This phenomenon is also known as " gravidic mask " or " chloasma ". In this case, the condition is reversible, since the disappearance of the patches almost always coincides with the post-natal period.
Similarly, women entering menopause are more likely to develop spots on the skin due to hormonal alterations related to this phase of female life.
Stains from irritation
Even some irritating chemicals found in some perfumes or cosmetics in general could favor the appearance of spots on the skin of the face. These stains, therefore, are due to irritation and the consequent inflammation that is generated on the skin of the face following contact with these substances.
Spots and pathologies
Just like the nails reflect the health of the person, even the skin is able to express through some manifestations the presence of a danger or a disturbance to the organism: in fact, it has been recorded that the subjects suffering from dysfunctions against the adrenal glands externalise the pathology also with the appearance of spots on the skin (see: Addison's disease).
Sometimes even acne can cause the appearance of red and unsightly spots on the skin of the face, a widespread problem among adolescents.
Furthermore, pathologies such as vitiligo, pityriasis alba and pityriasis versicolor cause what are commonly defined as white spots on the skin.
Freckles and Freckles
Both freckles and freckles can be described as spots on the skin of the face that manifest due to genetic and hereditary factors, but which should not be confused with one another as they are different in many aspects (for more information: Freckles and freckles: what differences?
Treatment
Of course, the treatment of spots on the skin of the face varies depending on the cause that triggered the disorder.
In the event that the spots on the skin of the face are caused by a temporary disorder - as happens, for example, in the case of the gravidic mask - in principle, it is not necessary to undertake any type of treatment, since the skin pigmentation will gradually return to normal.
In the event that the spots on the skin of the face are caused by basic pathologies, the treatment of these can induce the resolution of the skin pigmentation disorder. Unfortunately, this does not always occur and, in some cases, the spots on the skin of the face remain even if the disease that triggered them has been adequately treated.
Fortunately, many cosmetics are available on the market that are designed to reduce the dark spots that can appear on the skin of the face. At the same time, different dermo-aesthetic medicine treatments are available that can be useful for eliminating hyperpigmented areas.
Cosmetics with lightening, depigmenting and smoothing action
The depigmenting and lightening products have gained a role of significant importance in the treatment of stains: this category of cosmetics is able to express its action by stimulating the cellular turnover of the skin that has taken on a different color. Thus, the skin of the area will appear more homogeneous and the melanocytes will no longer be able to expand the melanin pigment in neighboring cells.
It often happens that people who use these lightening products do not perceive immediate results, abandoning the treatment prematurely: in reality, in order for the creams to act, a relatively long period of time, estimated at two months, must pass. Cell replacement can only be favored in this way.
The depigmenting activity has been found in licorice, which seems capable of inhibiting the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme (responsible for melanin production). Even green tea and chamomile seem to respond positively to the resolution of the problem spots: green tea probably enhances the inhibition of tyrosinase and chamomile is judged capable of weakening the process that leads to melanogenesis stimulated by UV rays. Chamomile would be able to antagonize the cytokines produced by keratinocytes, without affecting the action of the tyrosinase enzyme.
Particular is also the depigmenting action of the seed extract of the bearberry, thanks to its ability to inhibit the production of melanin through the binding competition with tyrosinase receptors.
Also hydroquinone, citric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, retinoic acid, azelaic acid, a-tocopherol, kojic acid and ascorbic acid they lend themselves to being valid depigmenting agents.
In this regard, already in antiquity Cleopatra and Poppea had seen right: the habit of bathing in goat's and donkey's milk, thanks to the moisturizing and clearing action of lactic acid, was already at the time a decidedly positive to keep the skin smooth and soft, preventing the appearance of spots on the skin of the face.
This category of cosmetics with a depigmenting and lightening action could also be associated with a treatment with smoothing creams that facilitate the replacement of cells by eliminating the superficial ones: the skin will thus appear more brilliant and shiny.
Dermo-aesthetic treatments
If the use of the aforementioned cosmetics is not sufficient to eliminate skin spots on the skin of the face, it is possible to resort to different types of dermo-aesthetic treatments that allow the removal - more or less deep - of the superficial layers of the skin, in order to eliminate all skin areas characterized by altered pigmentation. These include:
- Chemical peels;
- Laser treatments;
- Microdermabrasion;
- Dermabrasion;
- Diathermocoagulation.
However, these treatments should only be performed by doctors who are specialized in this area and only on the advice of your dermatologist.
Prevention
In some cases, rather than intervening on the stains already formed, it would be better to resort to preventive strategies, in such a way as to suppress in the bud the possible onset of this disorder.
For example, stains caused by the sun can be prevented by using highly protective cosmetics against UV rays: it is advisable to apply solar cosmetics not only in the summer months, but throughout the year, as ultraviolet radiation is always present.
