Face skin discoloration may arise from frequent exposure to both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. When this happens, cells become damaged, and this can disrupt the normal melanin production. Skin will appear either lighter or darker in tone, or blotchy, and uneven patches of brown spots to gray discoloration may appear.
When the melanin-producing cells are exposed to UV rays, their melanin production increases. The excess melanin forms deposits in the skin. The increased melanin is often referred to as melasma, which is the general term for darkening of the skin. Melasma are harder to treat if the skin is frequently exposed to the harmful heat and temperature.
On the other hand, too little melanin can make skin tone lighter or can cause light and uneven patches in general areas of the skin.
Skin Discoloration and Dark Spots . . . What are These?
Skin discoloration refers to the uneven darkening of the general areas of the skin. Skin may appear lighter to darker in some areas such as the inner thigh and under the arm. Some may become blotchy with uneven patches of brown spots to gray discoloration or freckling that can range from light to dark. Dark spots or patches of discoloration appear without any reaction preceding them. When discoloration on the skin is left alone, it can become darker and harder to treat.
Freckles are the most common form of skin discoloration. Freckles are brown to dark brown spots that are often found on the arms, back, chest, face, and shoulders. Usually, freckles appear as dark patch of skin under the eyes and on both sides of the nose. Sometimes, dark spots are caused by hormonal changes rather than sun damage. On the other hand, age spots are flat, dark marks that can become larger over time. These discolorations are skin mutations from chronic sunburns, and frequent sun exposure.
Melanin is the Culprit
Melanin provides color to the skin. Melanin is responsible for the varied skin tone, which is the most obvious differentiating characteristic in human appearance. However, excessive melanin can result in an increased epidermal or dermal pigmentation. Excess melanin appears as dark spots on the face, especially the on the cheeks and forehead. This hyperpigmentation can also affect large areas on the back, neck and arms.
Hyperpigmentation such as dark spots and blotches are most often caused by excessive sun and light exposure. Excessive exposure to the UV rays of the sun can make the skin darker over a time and can result in age spots. Darker skin patches can appear tan or brown in color and can appear on the face, forehead and neck. Aside from sun exposure and hormones, hyperpigmentation can be caused by blemishes, wounds or rashes. (Source: Cutis, August 2005, pages 19-23).
Other hyperpigmentations on even skin tones are caused by UVB, UVA, and infrared light exposure. The high heat and temperature that fluorescents and halogens, computer screens, saunas and stoves give out can cause dark spots and skin discoloration. These dark spots are signals for one to stay out of the sun, and avoid long time exposure to high heat and temperature. Keeping out of harmful heat and temperature must be the first step in one’s skin lightening remedy.
Ways to Erase Age Spots, Freckles and Melasma
Skin discoloration creams and treatment can return skin to its condition prior to any irritation, sun and light damage or skin trauma, which is the healthier shade and state. The best skin lightening cream works to reduce age spots, freckles, liver spots, and melasma. However, there are skin discoloration treatments that strip the skin of its melanin, creating more unsightly dark spots and blotches.
In general, skin care specialists recommend whitening skin care cosmetics or fade creams that are safe to lighten uneven skin color. There are skin discoloration creams with plant extracts that are known to be effective and safe for lightening hyperpigmentation on the arms, elbows, face, knees and legs. The market also offers fade creams for face discoloration like age spots. Some face discoloration creams even offer comprehensive protection: diminish age spots, freckles, sun damage in two weeks and protects skin from both outdoor and indoor UVA, UVB, and infrared light.
Skin care fade cream that includes botanical ingredients can be more helpful to age spots and freckles. They can restore youthful, radiant glow to the skin, less the irritations. Some of the botanical extracts that are known to be effective for face skin discoloration and for the lightening of melasma are bearberry, kojic acid, licorice, and mulberry. Lighten dark spots with slices of lemon applied once a week for 20 minutes to lighten freckles and age spots. Wash face with lactic acid or sour milk to promote a gentle peeling effect without irritation or dryness.
In short, skin discoloration is the result of an unprotected sun exposure over the years. Therefore, avoid harmful heat and light or wear sunscreen that doubles as fade cream and offers complete protection against both UVB and UVA rays. This way, the melanocytes will not need to increased melanin production.
To minimize skin exposure to harmful heat and light is to lessen the occurrence of other skin discolorations. To practice regular sun and light protection is to help lighten face discoloration fast.
Reference:
VMV-HYPOALLERGENICS-InSKIN Lightening, Melasma, Hyperpigmentations, Dark Spots, Dark Acne Scars © 2009 VMV Margadh, Inc. www.vmvgroup.com
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