If you notice that some spots on your skin are darker than your normal skin tone, there may be a few reasons for this. It may be caused by a medical condition that needs treatment. Fortunately, this is not always the case. This pigmentation can be absolutely harmless and nothing to worry about.
However, it is always best to see your doctor to make sure nothing serious is going on. We decided to dig a little deeper and find out why we sometimes get these dark spots and if there is any way around them. And this is what we discovered.
There are several types of harmless pigmentation
Melasma is more common in women than men and is believed to be caused by hormonal changes. These changes can occur, for example, during pregnancy or if you are taking birth control pills.
In that case, the pigmentation will go away on its own after delivery or after you stop taking the pill. Stress can also cause melasma.
The discoloration usually appears on the face, but can also appear on other parts of the body. It doesn’t hurt. However, you can see a dermatologist if he is embarrassed about it, and he will tell you how it can be treated.
Liver spots usually appear in people over 40 years of age. Dark spots can appear almost anywhere on your body if you spend a lot of time in the sun, but they are harmless.
This is because ultraviolet light from the sun affects melatonin, the pigment that gives skin its color, and it is produced more quickly. As you age, melatonin production also begins to increase on its own.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is caused by injury or inflammation of the skin. It can be caused by acne, blisters, or burns and will go away on its own over time.
How to reduce and prevent hyperpigmentation?
Take a look at your diet
What you eat can affect the health of your skin. Make sure you eat nutritious food. It can help prevent hyperpigmentation by minimizing the effects of cellular stress caused by hormonal imbalance, infection, and sun exposure.
Some of the foods that can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation are pomegranates, spinach, kale, and carrots. They can provide your body with the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats that your skin needs.
It is also important to drink plenty of water. And it’s best to avoid soy, flaxseed, and garlic because they contain estrogen.
try not to touch your skin
It can be tempting to pick a scab, squeeze a pimple, or scratch a mosquito bite. However, you should avoid doing things like this, as this can only increase the inflammation that causes dark spots to appear on your skin. Also, try not to touch the skin with dirty hands.
protect yourself from the sun
Limit your time in the sun and avoid direct sunlight. You should put on sunscreen if you want to prevent skin discoloration, and you can also wear hats and clothing that covers your skin. To minimize the damage caused by ultraviolet light, you can also use moisturizers.
Have you ever experienced hyperpigmentation? What caused this? Did you try or did it right to keep the stains?