Dark Patches: Is it General Hyperpigmentation or Age Spots? Causes and Management Options

Do you often feel conscious about those dark and brown spots on your face, shoulders, or arms? If so, then have you ever tried to delve into the exact reasons behind them? If not, then it is a must for you to know that unless you are aware of the reasons behind growing dark spots on your face, opting for the correct management option would become quite impossible. Most of you might have heard the term “hyperpigmentation” associated with the dark brown spots on your face, giving a poor and dull appearance. Usually, few individuals experience dark spots as they grow older, which can be called age spots. 

Coming to the difference between hyperpigmentation and age spots, factually, age spots are one of the categories of hyperpigmentation, apparently indicating hyperpigmentation as a broad category. Although mild hyperpigmentation or age spots can be managed with adequate skin care, severe and long-term conditions require a visit to the best skin clinic in Ludhiana. 

In this article, you’ll be guided on hyperpigmentation and age spots, including their management and care options for better skin glow.  

First, understand the difference between hyperpigmentation and age spots! 

Hyperpigmentation:-

• When your skin produces too much melanin due to unhealthy skin cells, it results in dark spots or patches on your face.
• Apart from the dark, red or pink patches on the face, it does not include any other symptoms such as itching or irritation. 

Age spots:- 

• These are not completely different from hyperpigmentation; in fact, they are one type of hyperpigmentation, including dark spots. 
• Due to excessive sun exposure, you would experience dark patches over your arms, shoulders or face, as your skin becomes weaker with age.

Apart from melanin overproduction, hyperpigmentation has other causes as well, including the following points:- 

• Imbalanced hormones, especially during pregnancy, can increase melanin production, resulting in dark skin patches. 
• Skin inflammation or acne can result in some spots on your skin looking darker than before. 
• Anti-inflammatory drugs and chemotherapy drugs are also among the causes of hyperpigmentation as side effects. 
• Addison’s disease can also cause increased melanin production, eventually causing dark spots and patches. 

Now that you have understood the specific causes of hyperpigmentation, here come the points reflecting the effective home remedies for lightening your dark spots:- 

• Start using fresh aloe vera gel on your face, which can significantly help in lightening the dark spots. 
• You can make a green tea mask, as studies have also shown that it helps protect your skin from UV rays, indicating its effectiveness for managing dark spots. 
• You can use rice water on your skin by using it as a sheet mask or applying it over your dark spots with a cotton pad.
• Mix yogurt and turmeric and apply it over your dark spots to get a more enhanced and brighter look. 

When should you seek medical care for hyperpigmentation? 

Make sure to be aware of the warning signs of hyperpigmentation, including no effect on your dark spots even though you have tried over-the-counter care. 

• If your skin’s colour has been changing rapidly. 
• When a specific area of your skin has turned itchy, red and painful, especially when touched. 
• Skin turning too red and pus drainage also reflect skin inflammation. 
• Your hyperpigmentation is not responding to the skincare you have been following for months or years. 

Which treatment options are provided for hyperpigmentation? 

• Your skin doctor ensures the use of topical creams such as retinoids and hydroquinone according to your skin type for lightening dark spots. 
• Also, they can opt for chemical peels, including glycolic and salicylic acid, for thoroughly brightening up your skin. 
• Using laser therapy to thoroughly target melanin production and disrupt it. 
• Other treatments include microneedling and dermabrasion for targeting the dark spots on your skin, eventually improving skin texture. 

The Bottom Line

Summing up the above-mentioned points, you might have understood the significant difference between hyperpigmentation and age spots and the factors that are responsible for causing dark spots. Understanding the causes might help you find a better treatment approach from the best skin doctor in Ludhiana with the aim of achieving a radiant glow. You can use home remedies for reducing your dark spots; however, the need for professionals arises when they do not show any fruitful results.

You won’t be provided with an immediate treatment; in fact, your skin type and specific symptoms would be analysed first before undergoing any specific procedures. Therefore, make sure to be extra careful and attentive when it comes to improving your skin’s texture and analyzing proper melanin production.