What’s Causing Those Dark Spots on Your Face?
When you see dark spots on your face, it can send you into a panic. Unlike other parts of your body, you can’t cover up your face with clothing and makeup only hides the condition for a short time. So, what’s really causing these spots and how can you get rid of them quickly?
Stop the Sun
One of the most common causes of dark spots on your face is sun exposure. You might not think it's a big deal to step out into the sun for a while without SPF but all those times you’ve done this add up and can show their presence on your skin. The sun’s UV rays boost the skin’s natural melanin production. Interestingly, this melanin actually tries to protect your skin against the harsh rays. It doesn’t feel like a nice deed when you see those patches, though, that’s why you want to keep slathering on the suncream every single time you head outside, without exception.
Pregnancy Hormones
Sun aside, there are other reasons why you can get dark spots on your face. A big one is hormones in the body. Pigmentation issues known as melasma are often referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”, which shows how common they are. During pregnancy, your body increases its estrogen production which influences your skin, leading to dark patches. UV exposure can contribute to flare-ups so you want to keep sun exposure to a minimum.
Skin Injuries from Beauty Treatments
Anything that's too abrasive on your skin can lead to skin discoloration. Some treatments are quite rough on your skin and can irritate it. These include dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing. If your skin is sensitive or you already have some experience of skin discoloration, it's best to avoid such treatments.
Hyperpigmentation From Acne
The spots you see on your face that you immediately assume are from sun exposure might actually be marks left after a bout of acne. These show up as pink or reddish-brown marks, and they’re known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
How to Fight Dark Spots on Your Face
Now that we've outlined the common causes of dark spots on your face, you need to know how to treat them and prevent them from getting worse. Sunscreen, as mentioned above, is a must-have to keep your skin healthy. Other skincare tips you should adopt are:
Exfoliate Weekly
You need to get rid of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin where pigmentation accumulates, causing dark spots on your face to show. These dead cells can also give your skin a darker appearance without pigmentation being present, such as in the folds of your neck or creases on your forehead. Exfoliation is therefore a must to keep your skin fresh and bright. You should exfoliate once or twice a week so that you maintain healthy, young cells on your skin’s surface.
Be Gentler on Your Skin
You don’t want to try any abrasive skin products or treatments that irritate your skin. These can exacerbate your discoloration issues! So, while you’re avoiding invasive beauty treatments at the salon, make sure you’re also kind to your skin at home. Less is more! If you’re experiencing discoloration during pregnancy, being careful with your skin is even more important. The good news is that dark spots tend to disappear once your hormones go back to normal.
Treat Acne Marks
When you see a mark left over from a pimple, treat it quickly with a lightening cream for scars. These usually contain salicylic acid to prevent pimples in future. You should avoid touching and picking pimples as this can transfer bacteria to them. Popping pimples should not be done, either. This not only brings bacteria to the skin but it can create a larger injury, causing it to take longer to heal and increases the likelihood that you will have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Treating dark spots on your face becomes easier when you know their cause, helping you to flaunt gorgeous and healthy skin. Give your skin a healthy makeover!