Black spots may damage a person’s appearance. The fact is, not only the face can be the target, but the shoulders, arms, or even the back.
Types of Black Spots on the Skin
Here are some types of black spots on the skin:
- Melasma
Melasma refers to the type of black spots that look like ‘ink splashes’ on the cheek area. Usually, the cause of melasma is hormonal imbalance, the effects of hormone therapy, or thyroid dysfunction
- Acne Scars
When acne is infected by bacteria, it can be painful and stain after it breaks. The former is what later developed into a black stain.
- Hyperpigmentation
All forms of injury that cause skin blisters, scratches, burns, or other injuries can trigger inflammation, and later this condition can cause hyperpigmentation or darkening the colour of the skin.
- Lentigo
Now if the black spots appear ‘scattered’ with irregular patterns, then it is called Lentigo. These black spots are commonly found in older people, and the effects of sunlight are usually the number 1 cause.
There are few causes mainly:
- Exposure to Sunlight
If someone often spends time in the hot sun or tanning beds without applying sunscreen first, then this can boost the increase in melanin production. This is automatically done by the body as an effort to protect the skin from exposure to harmful and damaging UV rays.
Therefore, it’s good you do not underestimate the importance of sunscreen, especially if you have to move outdoors for a long time.
The fluctuating levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, usually during pregnancy, due to taking birth control pills, or during menopause can also disrupt the balance of melanin production. Not to mention if the skin is also often exposed to sunlight, the melanin secretion is increasing.
- Scars or Acne
Untreated scars, surgeries, or pimples can also turn into black spots.
- Ageing
The cause of black spots on the face of this one is undeniable. As we get older, skin cells are no longer able to actively reproduce as when they were young. As a result, it is more difficult for the skin to repair the damage.
How to get rid of black spots on the face medically
- Laser
There are pluses and minuses of how to remove black spots on the face using a laser. The advantage is that it doesn’t hurt and the results are fast. The treatment session (Dark spot treatment in Malaysia) is also not necessarily just once, it can be several sessions because it depends also on the size, colour, and depth of the black spots.
- Chemical Peeling
As the name implies, how to remove black spots on the face involves certain chemicals that are applied to the skin. Later after being exposed to these chemicals, the skin will blister and peel, thereby activating cell regeneration to form new skin cells.
Although this method sounds scary, in practice, it’s not as painful as imagined. In fact, there are some people who feel a tingling sensation while living it.
Matter of chemical substances also varies because it depends on how severe the black spot. For dark spots that are not too deep, AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids) such as glycolic acid or lactic acid is usually the choice. As for the moderate black spots, trichloroacetic acid is used. And for the worst case, the therapist will usually use phenol.
- Microdermabrasion
It is very effective for removing black spots because the aim is to rejuvenate the skin. As with the two previous treatments, microdermabrasion is also free from pain.
The procedure usually starts by spraying micro-exfoliating crystals into the skin. This method not only succeeded in getting rid of black spots on the face but also stimulated collagen production and made the face look brighter.
- Cryosurgery
Even though it involves ‘surgery’ or surgery, this method is non-invasive (no need to ‘scratch’). In practice, liquid nitrogen will be sprayed on the black stain to freeze it so that the colour turns white.
The doctor will repeat the process several times, depending on how severe the spots are. After a few days, the treated part will form a scab that will then peel off after a few weeks. After that, new skin is free from black spots.
