Tips to help fade dark spots on the face

Age spots, liver spots and sunspots: These names all refer to darker patches of skin. They can arise from a few different causes, including sun damage and age. And while these spots don't generally cause health problems, many people wish they would simply go away.

A good skin care regimen can help. Some skin care products can help keep dark spots from appearing in the first place, and others can gently wear away the darker skin, making room for lighter skin to grow. Ask a health care provider for recommendations, as they can offer options, including procedures and prescription creams.

If those dark spots are a nuisance, there’s plenty to learn and do about them.

En este artículo:

What causes dark spots on the face? 

Dark spots (or hyperpigmentation) occur because of an overproduction of melanin, a pigment in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can happen for many reasons. Some of them include:

• Aging, which makes skin thinner and leaves it more vulnerable to damage 
• Hormonal shifts from menopause, pregnancy or the use of birth control pills 
• Inflammation from acne or eczema 
• Injuries to the skin, such as burns, cuts or sun exposure 

Not all dark spots are created equal, though. And not all of them will stick around for the same amount of time.

If the spots are the result of scarring or injuries (called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), they may gradually fade over time. Hyperpigmentation that occurs with pregnancy may also disappear after delivery when hormones return to normal.

But dark spots that result from aging or sun exposure generally persist. They're also likely to get darker if the skin isn't protected from the sun.

How to help prevent dark spots

No one can stop aging, of course, although some products can help reduce the appearance of aging skin. But other causes of dark spots are easier to control. 

An important step is to wear sunscreen to protect skin from sun damage. Dermatologists advise wearing sunscreen every day to help prevent not only dark spots but also skin cancers. Choose a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and make sure that it is water-resistant and broad-spectrum, which means that it protects against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologic surgeon with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, favors mineral-based sunblocks that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are usually less irritating for sensitive skin.

Research also suggests that visible light — the light people can see from light bulbs and screens (on a TV, phone or laptop) — can create a greater degree of hyperpigmentation than UVB radiation, especially in people with darker skin.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens block some harmful radiation from the sun, but they are not designed to block visible light. However, tinted sunscreens, which are visible on the skin, block artificial light as well as ultraviolet radiation. Choose one that contains iron oxide, which is effective at blocking blue light from screens, the wavelength that may be most likely to promote hyperpigmentation.

How to help fade dark spots on the face 

Hyperpigmentation is generally harmless. But for people with unwanted dark spots, many over-the-counter (OTC) dark spot skin care products may help to reduce their appearance. 

Make sure to speak with a health care provider before starting or stopping any therapy, and always use products as directed.

Chemical exfoliants

One approach is to try chemical exfoliants, which gently wear away the top layer of skin cells. This encourages new skin cells to form and helps fade existing dark spots. Ingredients include alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid) and beta hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid).

“These products can be helpful if used correctly,” says Dr. Rossi. “But if they are overused, they can cause inflammation, which can then lead to more hyperpigmentation, creating a vicious cycle.”

Kojic acid

Another approach is to use kojic acid, a chemical that inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in the production of melanin. This material is derived from certain fungi and bacteria, and it can also be found in sake (a Japanese alcohol) and miso (the basis for miso soup).

Retinoids

Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A and increase the turnover of new skin cells. These products shouldn't be used during pregnancy, however, because they can cause birth anomalies. Retinoids can also make skin more sensitive to UV light, highlighting the need to wear sunblock and help protect skin from the sun.

Topical vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. By inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, topical vitamin C can decrease melanin formation and reduce hyperpigmentation. "Vitamin C serums can be very beneficial, as they can even skin tone because they are whitening, brightening and overall good for skin health," says Dr. Jeannette Graf, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

Purchase topical vitamin C from a trusted brand, warns dermatologist Dr. Danny Del Campo of Chicago Skin Clinic. "Topical vitamin C becomes inactivated very easily if it's not blended correctly, if it's stored in the wrong bottle, or if it's too old," he says. Be sure that the active ingredient is what is put on the skin, not just expensive oil, reminds Dr. Del Campo.

Hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones 

People with darker skin may have a greater risk of these spots developing. For instance, more than 65 percent of African Americans may experience acne-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

“Darker skin has more melanin and can be more prone to hyperpigmentation from ultraviolet radiation, inflammation or irritation,” says Dr. Rossi. “I encourage people with darker skin to wear sunblock because their skin can get very hyperpigmented and develop an uneven complexion from UV exposure alone.”

When to see a dermatologist about dark spots 

Dark spots can take from 6 to 12 months to fade away on their own; extremely dark spots can take longer to disappear. If a dark spot changes color or size, appears suddenly, itches, tingles or bleeds, that spot may not be true hyperpigmentation and could be something else, including a sign of melanoma, a skin cancer.

A visit to a dermatologist can also help assess whether medications might be causing greater sun sensitivity. Some antimalarial drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, psychotropic drugs and tetracyclines may increase skin pigmentation.

A dermatologist might also recommend a stronger prescription-strength topical cream. For extremely resistant hyperpigmentation, a dermatologist can also do several types of procedures - including chemical peels, laser treatments, microdermabrasion or microneedling - to get rid of dark spots.

"Procedures can be used to address different forms of hyperpigmentation," says Dr. DiAnne Davis, a dermatologist who practices in Dallas. "Cryosurgery can be an option for fair-skinned individuals, depending on the cause of hyperpigmentation. But cryosurgery should not be used for people with darker skin due to the risk of hypopigmentation." (Hypopigmentation would make the spot lighter than the surrounding skin.)

It's never wrong to consult a health care provider with concerns about the appearance of skin. Their advice might include OTC products, prescriptions or procedures - or a combination of these approaches.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.