Age spots on the face: why they appear and how to get rid of them

Hyperpigmentation is a focal or diffuse deposition of pigment on the skin, which leads to darkening of individual areas or the entire surface of the body. The formation of melanin, which is responsible for the appearance of pigmentation, occurs as a result of the body's protective function in response to sunlight. But excessive release of melanin is not always due to physiological processes. This is often evidence of the presence of pathologies.

Causes of age spots on legs

The spot on the leg may be a mole or freckle. Increased pigmentation of the lower extremities is the result of melanin accumulation. And if it appears under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, then this is perhaps the safest cause of hyperpigmentation of the legs. Dark spots can also appear as a result of ruptured capillaries. In this case, the area is small and does not require therapeutic measures. In other cases, the causes of pigmentation on the legs or groin lie in one or another pathology. Below is a list of diseases that can cause skin pigmentation on the legs.

1. Vascular lesions as a result of diabetes, atherosclerosis and varicose veins.
2. Neurofibromatosis. This is the name given to numerous inclusions of a milky-brown hue. They appear for genetic reasons.
3. Chronic dermatitis. It is caused by wearing tight clothing, allergies to cosmetic products, fabrics. Stasis dermatitis develops as a result of varicose veins of the deep veins. Areas of darkening on the skin itch, become rough, and become rough.
4. Dark areas may appear due to cirrhosis or fibrosis of the liver tissue.
5. A dark spot on the skin may be a sign of developing carcinoma. Melanomas on the sole are especially dangerous.
6. Some pathologies of the cardiac and vascular system can cause brown spots on the skin of the legs.
7. The skin also darkens with vitamin deficiency - a lack of B vitamins.
8. If redness appears in the area of ​​the little finger or thumb, then this is the first sign of the development of psoriasis. With this disease, pink or reddish pigmentation appears on the feet and ankles.

Some women may experience brown spots on their legs while pregnant. The cause of pigmentation on the legs is hormonal changes. After childbirth, skin color returns to normal.

Interesting! Only women may experience characteristic skin changes in the form of chloasma. This is focal hyperpigmentation of the skin. There is no treatment for chloasma: all cosmetic measures are limited to reducing the intensity of skin coloring.

Pigmentation on the legs in men can develop as a result of Becker's melanosis. It looks like a mole and develops most often in teenagers. In an area of ​​increased pigmentation, increased hair growth may be observed. The cause of Becker's melanosis has not yet been clearly established. If varicose veins are left untreated, pigmentation of the legs below the knee appears in the form of pink and then red spots. In severe cases, their color changes and they become purple, almost black.

Note! The appearance of black spots indicates that a necrotic process is developing in the skin. Without emergency treatment measures (surgery), gangrene may develop.

Varicose veins spots appear if the disease has reached an advanced stage. Untimely treatment of the pathology leads to the fact that the veins become clogged with blood clots. Because of this, oxygen metabolism in the tissues is disrupted and they experience oxygen starvation. This is one of the reasons for increased pigmentation of the skin on the legs.

Important! Skin pigmentation on the lower leg and other parts of the limbs does not appear in one day. The skin turns red because blood stagnates in the legs. If varicose veins are left untreated, the skin turns brown. When trophism is disrupted, the skin becomes covered with dark areas.

• wearing tight shoes;
• constant microtrauma of the skin of the legs;
• hyperhidrosis;
• use of low-quality household chemicals.

Types and symptoms of age spots

Hyperpigmentation on the body does not cause physical discomfort. Neither itching, nor burning, nor any other unpleasant symptoms are usually observed (but not always). Only compaction, change in color of spots or their convexity should be alarming. In this case, you should consult a dermatologist to exclude the possibility of developing malignant neoplasms. For self-control, you should know about the common types of stains, their location, features, and reasons for their appearance.

Freckles

This type of pigmentation is not a pathology. Freckles are genetically determined. Their appearance is explained by a special combination of genes in the DNA of skin cells. Freckles tend to intensify in the spring and summer due to ultraviolet irradiation of the skin. In winter they are usually not so noticeable.

This kind of hyperpigmentation of the skin is expressed in the form of patches of different shades of brown. Freckles appear on the face, shoulders, arms, and back. Appearing in childhood, they can disappear without a trace with age. But this does not always happen.

It is not recommended to try to get rid of freckles on your own. This procedure requires the development of an individual program. Typically, genetic hyperpigmentation takes a long time to resolve.

Melasma

This pathology makes itself felt in the case of an excess of female sex hormones. Melasma can also occur when taking medications, using certain cosmetics, and exposure to sunlight.

Melasma is hyperpigmentation, expressed in the form of spots of different shades with uneven contours. You can get rid of it by eliminating the cause and simultaneously using bleaching compounds. As a result, melasma disappears without a trace.

Types of melasma:

• central-facial, or centrofacial. In this case, the spots are localized on the forehead, nose, chin, and above the upper lip;
• mandibular. Suggests the spread of spots on the arch of the lower jaw.
• painting With it, pigmentation mainly affects the nose and cheeks;

Melasma

With this disease, spots appear on the hands, face, neck and other open areas of the body that have an uneven color. This pathology is chronic. Subsequently, hyperpigmentation can spread to other areas of the skin.

Melasma can be acquired or hereditary. Most often it occurs during pregnancy, when taking oral contraceptives, as well as when the functionality of the ovaries is impaired and there is a lack of vitamins C and PP.

Pigmentation may also be accompanied by:

• itching;
• general malaise;
• peeling, dryness;
• progression of the disease (modification of spots, increase in their number).

Melasma passes with a change from a period of remission to exacerbation. Can be corrected.

Becker's nevus

It is characterized by the appearance of pigmented spots with hair growing on them. The pathology is shown in the photo below. Becker's nevus is characteristic of male adolescents, but it also occurs in adults. The exact cause of the disease is not known. It is assumed that the main factors are heredity, stress, and ultraviolet radiation.

The disease progresses as follows: first, a small wrinkled dark brown spot appears. Then new ones can form next to it. Over time, they either grow separately or unite, forming large pigment halos, up to 18-20 cm in diameter. Then they are evenly covered with hair. Tanning significantly accelerates pigment growth.

Secondary

The formation of spots is associated with certain damage to the layers of the epidermis.

The accumulation of melanin, which causes secondary hyperpigmentation, occurs after acne, after removal of a mole and other surgical interventions, as well as:

• psoriasis;
• peeling
• wounds, cuts;
• erosions;
• papules, pustules;
• sores;

This also applies to the use of cosmetics containing photosensitizing components.

Age

Senile (senile) lentigo usually occurs on open areas of the body. That is, those who are most often exposed to solar radiation. Age-related hyperpigmentation appears as a result of a slowdown in melanin transport and, as a result, its accumulation. The causes of the disease are also chronic diseases and a general weakening of the body's protective functions.

Age-related rashes occur on the shoulders, chest area, face, arms, and back. It is characterized by uneven color and irregular shape.

Berlocc's dermatitis

It is distinguished by the appearance of dark brown spots of different sizes after the use of perfume products. Neoplasms may be accompanied by itching, and over time disappear without a trace without any therapy. The exact cause of the disease is not known. Scientists suggest that Berlocc's dermatitis may be due to hypersensitivity to certain components of perfume.

Chloasma

The spots with this disease are usually symmetrical and dark in color. Their outlines are uneven, but always clear. Most often, chloasma forms on the inner thigh and face. Their appearance indicates liver dysfunction.

Chloasma spots are large, at least 1 cm in diameter. Formed singly or in groups. As the disease progresses, they can merge and occupy large areas of the body. Sometimes chloasma manifests itself in the form of specific stripes passing through the stomach, forehead, and cheeks.

Types of spots on legs

There are three types of pigmented areas on the legs.

1. Leucoderma. It is characterized by decreased pigmentation of the lower extremities, and the skin on the affected areas appears much lighter.
2. Melasma. Darkening of the skin is characteristic.
3. Gray-blue pigmentation.

These types of disorders are not independent types of pathologies. They indicate that some pathological process is occurring in the body.

• mesh;
• marble;
• spotted;
• leprosy;
• lichen;
• keratoses;
• lentigo (age spots);
• post-inflammatory pigmentation;
• warts;
• moles;
• comedones (or the so-called strawberry legs effect);
• venous stasis (in which the skin becomes dark and even purple over a large area of ​​the leg);
• diabetic spots;
• chronic pigmentary purpura;
• petechiae, or marble hemorrhages;
• Kaposi's sarcoma (caused by herpes virus type eight).

Treatment of age spots on legs

Many patients are interested in how to remove pigmentation on their legs. This can only be done after its cause has been established. Self-medication of discolored legs is dangerous and can cause burns. First of all, you need to contact a dermatologist, phlebologist, or endocrinologist. Women should definitely visit a gynecologist. The causes and treatment of pigmentation on the legs are closely related, and doctors will prescribe a comprehensive examination. After this, it will be possible to select the most effective treatment.

Treatment for hyperpigmentation consists of:

• getting rid of the underlying pathology;
• strengthening the immune system;
• taking antihistamines (most often in the form of an ointment);
• sclerotherapy.

Hyperpigmentation can be removed:

• chemical types of peeling;
• laser;
• whitening creams.

There are medical ways to get rid of hyperpigmentation on the legs. They are selected by the doctor depending on the cause of their occurrence.

1. If the cause of the spots is age-related changes, anti-aging drugs with vitamins A, E and antioxidants are prescribed.
2. For fungal pathologies, ointments and creams with a fungicidal effect should be used.
3. If a mole has formed, it does not need to be touched. Removal of a nevus occurs only according to a doctor’s indications.
4. For age spots on the legs, vitamin complexes with minerals are used.
5. If the cause of the spots is varicose veins, take tablets and ointments to strengthen the veins.
6. If you have diabetes, you should take antihyperglycemic drugs or insulin (Related: What can you eat if you have diabetes?).
7. It is useful to take immunomodulators.

Causes of age spots on legs

Pigmentation on the legs appears for various reasons. These may be disturbances in the activity of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin), moles or freckles. But, quite often, spots on the lower extremities are a symptom of the development of pathology.

Among the diseases accompanied by the manifestation of marks:

• neurofibromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by milky brown speckles;
• chronic dermatitis;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• atherosclerosis;
• diabetes, in which red spots form on the legs due to insufficient tissue nutrition, over time they darken, turn brown, and spread over a large area of ​​integument;
• phlebeurysm;
• avitaminosis;
• metabolic abnormalities;
• vasculitis is an inflammatory lesion of the vascular walls.

This is not a complete list of diseases associated with pigmentation. Spots on the legs can appear against the background of serious diseases of the kidneys, liver, adrenal glands, and thyroid gland. Only a doctor can determine the exact cause of their formation after the necessary diagnostic procedures.

The marks themselves do not pose a risk to human health. Any changes in them are alarming signs:

• increase in size;
• color change;
• bleeding;
• itching;
• peeling;
• soreness.

In this case, you should immediately contact a dermatologist. Some spots have the ability to become malignant. People should especially closely monitor pigmentation if their immediate relatives have been diagnosed with cancer.

In women, characteristic brown pigmentation on the legs appears during pregnancy. It is caused by hormonal changes in the body. The darkest chloasmas form between the legs, in the groin area. This disorder does not require special treatment; more often it goes away on its own after the birth of the child.

Another factor that provokes a change in the color of the skin of the legs of women is too frequent depilation procedures, which injure the integument.

In men, pigmentation is often caused by vascular pathologies caused by heavy physical activity on the limbs or excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the feet.

Another reason for the appearance of marks is Becker melanosis. This disease of unknown etiology is observed in most cases in men and develops in adolescence. In addition to a change in the shade of the dermis, it is accompanied by increased hairiness in the affected area.

Pigmentation on the legs with varicose veins indicates that the disease has entered an advanced stage, the veins are clogged with blood clots. This leads to oxygen starvation of cells, regeneration processes are disrupted, and the epidermis changes color.

Negative changes occur gradually. First, the skin on the legs turns red due to stagnation of blood, then turns brown, and without treatment becomes black, which indicates necrotic changes in the tissues.

Not everyone develops skin pigmentation on their legs, even if they have the above diseases. The following factors increase the risk of developing a cosmetic defect:

An important role is played by age-related changes in tissues, which after 50 years lose the ability to control the synthesis of pigment and promptly remove its excess from the body.

Types of stains

Depending on their origin, age spots are divided into two large groups: primary and secondary.

The first category includes such congenital or acquired pigmentations as:

• lentigo;
• moles (nevi);
• melasma;
• freckles;
• Peutz-Jeghers-Touraine syndrome;
• Addison's disease;
• cachectic melasma;
• toxic hyperpigmentation;
• medication stains;
• marbled pigmentation (Buschke-Eichhorn);
• marks of a parasitic nature.

The group of secondary disorders includes post-infectious manifestations of tuberculosis or syphilis, as well as post-inflammatory spots formed as a result of acne, lichen, eczema, neurodermatitis and other diseases.

In addition to dark spots on the legs, marks of vascular origin are formed, colored blue-red. They form in places of rupture or persistent stretching of veins.

Dermatologists distinguish white or pinkish spots as a separate type - vitiligo. This disease is characterized by the appearance of areas of skin on the body in which melanin synthesis stops. The reasons that provoke the pathology are not reliably known. Doctors suggest that it is caused by endocrine disorders.

How to get rid

How to get rid of age spots on the legs directly depends on the reasons why they appeared.

Attention: self-medication can cause serious harm to health and provoke the development of life-threatening complications!

First you need to undergo a comprehensive examination. Depending on the identified pathology, further therapy will be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist, phlebologist, endocrinologist or gynecologist.

The set of measures may include taking various pharmaceuticals. Among them:

• antihistamines, used for pigmentation of an allergic nature;
• complexes with antioxidants, vitamins A, E, when the defect appears due to age-related changes;
• antifungal ointments;
• immunomodulators;
• angioprotectors, venotonics are needed for the treatment of veins and blood vessels with varicose veins;
• Hormone replacement therapy is carried out if a disease of the endocrine system is diagnosed.

In addition to taking medications, you will have to adjust your diet. To get rid of pigmentation, you need to minimize your consumption of:

The basis of nutrition should be:

• lean beef;
• legumes;
• pumpkin;
• vegetable oils;
• tofu;
• zucchini;
• sea ​​fish;
• celery;
• eggs;
• beet;
• oatmeal;
• cucumber;
• rice;
• pear;
• buckwheat porridge;
• apple;
• dairy products;
• citrus;
• whole wheat bread;
• grenades;
• nuts (in limited quantities).

It is better to bake or steam food. You should avoid fatty, fried foods. You can make juices from vegetables and fruits by diluting them with water 1:1.

You can speed up the elimination of a cosmetic defect directly with the help of whitening creams, hardware procedures or folk remedies.

To choose a cream for whitening spots on your legs, you need to carefully study its composition. A good anti-pigmentation remedy contains:

• retinol;
• quinine;
• hydroquinone;
• vitamin C;
• sanorin;
• arbutin;
• glabridin;
• perhydrol;
• beta-carotene;
• various acids.

These substances not only remove pigment from the dermis, but also regulate its synthesis by suppressing the activity of melanin-producing cells - melanocytes.

The most effective remedies for pigmentation include creams and ointments such as:

• Cellcosmet;
• Achromin;
• VIGHY Idealia PRO;
• Skinoren;
• Vitek;
• Depiderm;
• Eveline Cosmetics;
• YOKO Knee and Elbow Moisturizing and whitening Cream and others.

To achieve maximum effect, the cream should be applied to the steamed dermis. It is advisable to treat your feet with a scrub beforehand. This procedure will expand the pores, the active ingredients of the ointment will easily penetrate deep into the skin. After lightening manipulations, you should not go outside for a while, as they increase the photosensitivity of the skin. If external remedies do not bring the desired result, you can seek help from a beauty salon.

In the salon, cosmetologists will offer several ways to restore your legs to an attractive appearance and smooth, even skin.

The most common of them:

The listed manipulations must be carried out by a qualified specialist in a beauty salon. Unprofessional work with aggressive substances can cause serious harm to human health. At home, it is permissible to try to cope with pigmentation using homemade products.

If a dermatologist has determined that the spots on the legs are not dangerous, but have appeared due to age-related changes or disorders in the production of pigment, you can get rid of them using traditional methods.

Here are some popular recipes:

• Pour a few drops of any citrus essential oil into half a glass of salt (preferably sea salt), dilute with regular moisturizer until smooth. Distribute the composition over pre-steamed legs with massaging movements;
• Beat the white of one egg until foamy, mix with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to the skin, when it dries, rinse off the residue;
• grind the parsley to a homogeneous paste, add a little cucumber juice to it, lubricate the problem area with the mixture three times a day;
• Dilute bodyaga powder with hydrogen peroxide (3%) to the consistency of thick sour cream, keep for no longer than 10 minutes, otherwise whitish marks will form in place of dark spots. Rinse off the mixture with warm water, then apply moisturizer;
• Combine equal parts lemon juice and castor oil. Lubricate your feet, when the mixture dries, rinse the skin well, treat it with cream. This product not only eliminates pigmentation, but also tightens the epidermis;
• mix lemon juice, natural yogurt, turmeric in equal parts, let it brew for 10 minutes, apply to feet, after 15-20 minutes remove the remnants of the mask;
• take white clay and talc (1 tbsp each), add a pinch of soda. Dilute the powders with boric alcohol to a homogeneous, sticky porridge. Treat stains with it and wash off after 15 minutes;
• crush several ripe strawberries, mix with 1 tbsp. olive oil, add crushed almonds and sea salt to form a homogeneous creamy mass, rub it into problem areas;
• Apply shea butter to the stains, put on socks or knee socks made of natural fabric, and leave overnight.

Attention: before using any folk recipe, you must make sure that you are not allergic to its components!

If you don’t have time to prepare masks, you can simply wipe your feet daily with kefir, aloe leaf, and juices:

• lemon;
• strawberries;
• cucumber;
• parsley;
• watermelon;
• viburnum;
• dandelion

You should not expect instant results from folk remedies. To obtain the desired result and maintain it, whitening procedures must be carried out regularly.

Treatment methods for hyperpigmentation

Treatment of hyperpigmentation depends on its cause, symptoms, and the results of additional studies. For each patient, a treatment plan must be drawn up individually, taking into account age and gender, chronic diseases, and medication use.

When identifying the cause of pigmentation, etiotropic treatment must be carried out. In the case of skin cancer, specific chemotherapy and surgery are carried out; in case of hormonal diseases, replacement therapy is carried out.

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For dermatological diseases, such as mycoses, viral skin lesions or streptoderma, antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal therapy is carried out.

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The treatment regimen uses additional general treatment, such as vitamin and mineral complexes, medications to strengthen the immune system, folic and nicotinic acids.

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To reduce the appearance of pigmentation, cosmetic procedures may be required, such as chemical peels, ultrasound peels, laser resurfacing, photorejuvenation and ozone therapy.

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After performing such hardware treatment methods, it is necessary to give the skin the opportunity to recover. To do this, it is recommended to avoid excessive sun exposure for a week after the procedure, not to use rough scrubs and peels, and to apply sunscreen and moisturizer every day.

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To completely eliminate a cosmetic defect, several procedures may be required, with a break of a week to a month. During treatment, it is necessary to avoid direct sunlight on the skin, not to visit solariums, saunas and baths, and protect the skin from mechanical and chemical irritants.

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A more gentle means for treating minor pigmentation are chemical peels using fruit and lactic acids, Azalein, and Hydroquinone preparations. These manipulations can be performed more often, the recovery period after them is shorter, but they are less effective than hardware ones.

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Between cosmetic procedures, you can use home skin care products, but only with the permission of your doctor.

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There are such folk methods of reducing hyperpigmentation - masks using yeast, milk and cream, compresses from potato juice, birch sap, rubbing with celandine juice.

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Apply crushed strawberry pulp and a mask of crushed pumpkin seeds. For exfoliation, you can use homemade scrubs and peels made from honey, sugar, and coffee grounds.

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It must be remembered that it is undesirable to use hydrogen peroxide or citric acid to whiten skin areas, as they can cause chemical burns, the occurrence of significant skin defects, and the development of an inflammatory process. Filorga cream may be suitable for home use for local skin lightening.

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The treatment complex also necessarily includes lifestyle changes, following a gentle hypoallergenic diet, drinking enough liquid, avoiding excessive exposure to the sun, avoiding stress and overexertion.

Prevention measures

To reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• avoid tanning during the period of greatest sun activity (from 12 to 16 hours);
• balance your diet, include in your diet more plant foods rich in vitamins C, B, A;
• use only high-quality cosmetics suitable for a specific skin type;
• avoid stress;
• drink enough clean water;
• normalize weight;
• do physical education;
• do not abuse depilation;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• use sunscreen not only for the face, but also for the whole body;
• wear clothes made from natural fabrics, high-quality shoes of the right size.

Do not neglect preventive medical examinations and follow all medical recommendations when treating any chronic diseases.

Pigmentation on the legs is a symptom of many dangerous pathologies. If it is detected, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible, find out the cause of the spots, and undergo the prescribed treatment. If you start therapy at the initial stages of pathology development, there is a chance to preserve not only the health, but also the beauty of your legs.

Pigment spots or peculiar freckles on the legs appear due to increased pigmentation of the skin. This phenomenon is not considered a disease, but it causes discomfort as it affects appearance. To cope with this problem, official medicine and traditional healers offer various drugs and recipes.

Why do age spots appear on the legs?

Excessive pigmentation or hyperpigmentation is observed mainly in older people. This phenomenon may be the result of excessive exposure to sunlight and the characteristics of the individual's skin. In most cases, increased pigmentation is only a cosmetic defect, but it can also be a sign of dysfunction of the endocrine organs and other systems in the body.

Note! It is important to distinguish between the manifestations of hyperpigmentation and signs of various skin diseases. Pigment spots include nevi, freckles, vitiligo, lentigo.

On the legs you can more often see pigmented nevi, which look like a rash of freckles. They usually have a brown tint, but sometimes almost black spots are observed. Depending on age, there are several types of this phenomenon - childhood, juvenile and senile lentigo.

The main factors of occurrence are the influence of ultraviolet radiation and metabolic disorders. There are many other phenomena and disorders that can trigger the process of hyperpigmentation, but their presence does not guarantee the occurrence of freckles, and different people have different mechanisms for the appearance of spots on the legs.

The probable causes of age spots on the legs of women are:

• hormonal changes in the body during gestation,
• frequent use of aggressive depilatory agents,
• wearing synthetic clothing and tight shoes,
• allergies to certain care products,
• Frequently shaving your legs with a low-quality razor when irritation occurs.

Regardless of gender, hyperpigmentation can be caused by factors such as:

• genetic predisposition,
• lack of vitamins A and C in the body, as well as nicotinic acid,
• poor circulation in the lower extremities, blockage of blood vessels,
• allergies to chemicals,
• disorders of the peripheral nervous system.

Some systemic diseases can also cause the formation of freckles on the legs. These include cirrhosis, hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, tuberculosis, vasculitis, and cancer.

Chloasma

Pigment spots caused by internal causes are called chloasma. They are characterized by an irregular shape and dark color, the intensity of which intensifies before menstruation, as well as a tendency to grow and spread.

Chloasma on the cheeks is often caused by chronic liver diseases. Spots on the side surface of the cheeks are due to hormonal changes, pigmentation around the mouth allows one to suspect a helminthic infestation. If pigment spots are located all over the face, then most likely the problem is related to a malfunction of the adrenal glands.

Pigment spots after sun exposure

Pigment spots appear under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Mineral oils and citrus essential oils (bergamot, orange, lemon) increase skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

Post-traumatic pigmentation

Pigment spots can also appear at the site of infiltrates and stagnant spots after acne and injuries. They are called post-traumatic or post-inflammatory.

Some medications can also provoke hyperpigmentation, such as tetracycline antibiotics, salicylates, St. John's wort extract, etc.

The darker the skin, the more carefully it must be handled: any traumatic injury can lead to a worsening of the situation, since the melanocytes of dark skin are very active.

Are pigment spots on legs dangerous?

Pigment spots in themselves are not dangerous, they are only a cosmetic defect. You need to be wary of those situations when their appearance is caused by disturbances in the functioning of internal organs. In this case, it is important to treat the underlying pathology, and the freckles will go away on their own.

At the same time, there are a number of alarming signs with which you need to urgently go to the doctor:

• the spot suddenly darkens and increases in size,
• itching and flaking of the skin appears,

• I'm worried about a rash in the area of ​​hyperpigmented skin,
• spots begin to rise above unchanged areas,
• I am worried about pain and burning.

To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is important to contact a dermatologist if any unknown elements appear on the skin. The doctor will conduct research and tell you whether special treatment is needed or whether it is enough to hide the spots with cosmetics.

At the same time, trying to remove freckles on your own using folk recipes and pharmaceutical drugs is not recommended, because first it is important to determine their origin. There is a risk of benign spots degenerating into melanoma, and those who have a genetic predisposition to cancer should pay attention to this.

Diagnostics

In case of excessive and/or sudden appearance of pigmentation on the skin, as well as in case of an increase in the size of age spots, you should consult a doctor - a dermatologist or dermatocosmetologist. If there is no such specialist nearby, then you can make an appointment with a therapist. At the first stage, you will need to take stool, blood and urine tests, and possibly undergo an ultrasound examination. Further diagnosis will depend on the results obtained. The doctor can write out a referral for a consultation with an oncologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist or other specialist.

It is important to pay attention to the appearance of other symptoms of hyperpigmentation, for example: rashes, fever, itching, pain and others. This will significantly narrow the range of suspected disorders and speed up the diagnosis.

How to remove age spots

There are several options for eliminating age spots. This may include hardware techniques, whitening with special preparations and folk remedies, or ingestion of vitamins and microelements. The treatment method will depend on the cause.

Among the hardware methods for getting rid of age spots on the legs are:

1. Laser resurfacing. An effective option for combating age spots. The procedure involves destroying the cells that produce melanin. After laser treatment, the spots darken and peel, and then the skin returns to its normal color.
2. Dermabrasion. The technique involves removing the top layer of hyperpigmented cells to form new ones.
3. Cryodestruction. Involves freezing stains with liquid nitrogen.
4. Photorejuvenation. Used for age spots on the legs. The procedure consists of a pulsed effect of light on the deep layers of the skin. Penetrating rays stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, which triggers the rejuvenation process.
5. Chemical peeling. Pigment spots are treated with a chemical composition that burns the top layer of skin.

Drug treatment includes the use of special creams and ointments. Their action is aimed at whitening the skin. You can also try using improvised remedies and folk recipes, which do not guarantee the removal of stains, but in some cases help improve the condition of the skin.

To whiten the skin on the legs, products containing quinine, sanon and perihydrol can be used. They may be recommended by a cosmetologist or dermatologist after examining the spots and making a diagnosis. Products containing glycolic, alpha-hydroxyl and kojic acids have also proven themselves to be effective. Such components are available in VIGHY Idealia PRO and Depiderm correctors.

Good remedies against pigment spots on the legs include creams and ointments Achromin, Vitek, Skinoren, Eveline Cosmetics.

To whiten the skin, you can prepare ointments yourself from inexpensive products that are available in any pharmacy. Their use is not recommended without prior consultation with a dermatologist.

How to prepare whitening ointments yourself:

1. Combine a spoonful of hydrogen peroxide with 3 drops of ammonia and a teaspoon of grated white soap. The foamy mass should be used to treat problem areas on the legs. You need to keep the product for no more than 10 minutes.
2. Mix a spoonful of hydrogen peroxide with 2 tablespoons of boric alcohol, a spoonful of mineral water and glycine. Apply the product to the skin in the area of ​​the spots several times a day.
3. The product is prepared from a spoon of white clay, a pinch of soda and a spoon of talcum powder. A little boric alcohol is added to the mixture to obtain a viscous mass. It is applied to the spots for 15 minutes, then washed off with water, and the skin is lubricated with a nourishing cream.

Treatment

Drug therapy is carried out after determining the root cause of hyperpigmentation. Ointments, lotions and (or) creams are prescribed by a dermatologist or dermatocosmetologist. Most of them are plant-based with the addition of modern chemicals. Self-medication is not recommended.

Pharmacy drugs

The most popular drugs whose action is aimed at whitening the skin are presented in the table.

Table 1. What to do if you have pigmentation: pharmaceutical remedies for pigmentation.

Creams, ointments and other products from Asia

Hyperpigmentation on the skin can also be treated using Asian remedies, which have proven their effectiveness in practice. Reviews testify to this.

Table 2. Drugs for hyperpigmentation from Asia.

At home

Hyperpigmentation of the skin, if its manifestation is not too active, can be treated independently by using home remedies.

Plants, fruits and herbs can help with this:

• cucumber juice;
• celandine.
• parsley juice;
• lemon juice;
• fermented milk products;

They can be applied to areas affected by pigmentation several times a day. Parsley juice, for example, is especially effective. It has long been applied to the face to remove freckles. The same goes for lemon juice. But be careful with it, don't overdo it. Still, it is an acid that can cause harm by causing irritation.

Remember that folk remedies cannot completely get rid of intense pigmentation. Treatment for pigmentation can be supplemented with pharmaceutical creams and ointments, as well as products from Asian manufacturers. It is better to contact a dermatologist or cosmetologist who can prescribe the correct drug treatment.

Traditional medicine recipes

Traditional medicine suggests using natural bleaching agents. The most famous and accessible include pomegranate, cucumber, lemon, aloe, parsley, dandelion, and birch sap. These ingredients are combined with each other and used to eliminate age spots.

Known folk remedies for combating freckles on the legs:

1. Lemon juice is mixed with castor oil. The mixture is applied to hyperpigmented areas and left until completely dry. The skin is then washed and moisturizer is applied. This recipe will help not only remove blemishes, but also tighten the skin.
2. A few tablespoons of kefir are added to the cucumber juice. The mask is applied to the skin of the feet and washed off after 20 minutes. To get a good result, you should use slightly sour kefir.
3. Cucumber juice is mixed with chopped parsley. Rub the skin on the legs with the product 3 times a day. For better effect, you can add a couple of drops of lemon juice.
4. Lemon juice is combined with beaten egg white. The mask is left on the skin until dry. Residues are removed with a damp cloth.

Reference! For better results, folk remedies can be combined with taking vitamin complexes. This is especially effective in the fight against senile spots that appear at the age of 50 years.

New ingredients 2020

Derivatives of cinnamic acid.

It is widely used in cosmetics. In a recent review of the ingredient's benefits, Polish scientists (Gunia-Krzyżak et al. 2018) noted its skin-lightening properties. Specifically, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid has been tested in vitro and in vivo as a new ingredient for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Added bonus: Cinnamic acid derivatives offer UV protection.

In 2020, scientists (Hollinger et al. 2020, Kanlayavattanakul, Lourith 2020, Nomakhosi 2018) were pleased with natural ingredients.

They noted that only some plant extracts have a brightening effect and can combat melasma. Among them are azelaic acid and niacinamide, known for their depigmenting properties, as well as soy, lignin peroxidase, ascorbic acid iontophoresis, arbutin, ellagic acid, licorice and mulberry extracts.

In an attempt to avoid the irritating effects of hydroquinone, combinations of gentle skin lightening ingredients are being developed.

Thus, a combination of silymarin, arbutin, resveratrol, aloe vera, pycnogenol, bosweilia, aloein, nicinamide and coffee, soybean, green tea, orchid, grape seed, seaweed and licorice extract were found to be effective in a study by Spencer et al. 2018

Cellular cosmeceuticals also have something to offer in 2020 to patients suffering from hyperpigmentation. Taub et al conducted a blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of alpha- and beta-defensins. They are naturally occurring immune peptides that appear to activate LGR6-positive stem cells in the hair follicle and are the source of most new epidermal cells during acute wound healing.

In the Taub study, the ingredients were contained in three products—a serum, a cream, and a mask—that patients applied sequentially to their skin.

This treatment regimen resulted in improved skin appearance and texture and did not cause irritation, dryness or inflammation. A thickening of the epidermis, a reduction in pores and wrinkles, and a decrease in melanin production were noted.

Classically, skin whitening involves two directions: targeting keranocytes and targeting melanocytes. If in the first case peelings and hardware methods are usually used, then melanocytes are affected with the help of topical depigmenting substances. The most popular, with researched effectiveness and safety, remain hydroquinone, arbutin, kojic acid, ascorbic acid, and azelaic acid.

Non-specific bleaching agents, such as hydroquinone, peroxides, kojic acid, azelaic acid and ascorbic acid, tend to cause damage and death of melanocytes and keranocytes, and also destroy melanin. Specific ones belong to a new generation of whitening agents, since they selectively inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the production of melanin, or cellular receptors that perceive the signal for its synthesis. These include methyl gentisate, burnet extract (Sanguisorba off.), ester of ferulic acid and alpha-tocopherol, carmustine.

Prevention measures

The appearance of age spots can be prevented, and for this the following is recommended:

• avoid prolonged exposure to open sunlight at midday,
• add more plant-based foods containing vitamins C and B to your diet,

• apply sunscreen according to your skin type,
• choose quality products for depilation and hair removal,
• consult a dermatologist if skin problems occur,
• wear clothes made from natural materials so that they do not chafe,
• minimize stressful situations, monitor your psychological state.

Increased pigmentation of the skin on the legs can appear at any age, and this problem can be dealt with. You should make an appointment with a specialist and undergo the prescribed tests. Following the recommendations of a dermatologist will help hide the defect and eventually remove it completely.