Learn to differentiate the types of spots on the skin

Gaining a blemish on the skin is something very common. There are several reasons that cause them: sun without protection, the arrival of age, etc. And they can be of countless types: brown, yellowish, white, with or without relief. Any blemishes other than the ones you already have is more than enough reason to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. To prevent them, you need to know the main types of stain. Come on?

age spots

They tend to brown and are more rounded, can come in various sizes. Older people who have not taken such care of their skin have many of these spots on their hands, arms and neck. This type of stain appears from the age of 40 (especially if you don’t take care of yourself in the sun, which has a cumulative effect) and are much more visible in those with lighter skin.

Do you have treatment? Yea! When they are at a more advanced stage, laser treatments are more efficient. When they’re just beginning, Intense Pulsed Light and more abrasive peels can do the trick.

melasma

That’s the stain that always appears after your summer vacation, when you’ve abused the sun at the beach or pool and gained the famous freckle-like appearance. They have a deep brown color and different sizes. Hormonal problems and genetic predisposition are other factors that cause it.

Do you have treatment? Yes, it has, it needs to be continuous, because there is no cure. The treatment lightens, but the stain remains there and relights with any exposure to the sun. Laser application should be done annually. The ideal is to use sunscreen before leaving the house, every day, even in winter.

Freckles (solar melanosis)

One of the main causes is the genetic predisposition in those who have fair skin (for example, natural redheads and blondes), but in most cases (especially in Brazil, where the sun is strong) it arises from the cumulative effect of solar radiation, more often on the face, shoulders and neck.

Do you have treatment? Using sunscreen with a high SPF (from 30 and up) prevents them from getting worse. To remove them, your doctor may recommend Intense Pulsed Light applications.

solar leukoderma

They are also known as white freckles and mainly affect arms and legs. The cause is excessive sun exposure over many years.

Do you have treatment? It is done with the Fraxel laser, but it is best to prevent it, also with the use of sunscreen.

spots in pregnancy

It is common with the hormonal “mess” for many pregnant women to have larger, brown spots during the nine months. This happens because of double exposure to the sun without protection + hormone changes.

Do you have treatment? Yes he has. However, most of them (with creams and lasers) only start after breastfeeding. There are even some creams that can be used first, but they must be prescribed together, by your dermatologist and your obstetrician. Hydrating the skin well and using a lot of sunscreen are two ways to prevent these spots, ok?

phytophotodermatitis

These are brown spots with a reddish background that appear on the skin after contact with more citrus fruits, such as lemon and orange and also figs and cashews, associated with exposure to the sun. In more severe cases, a blister may even appear, in a kind of burn. They are common to happen at poolside barbecues, for example. Many people make caipirinha and go out in the sun, forgetting the danger they are in.

Do you have treatment? Your dermatologist will prescribe a prescribed anti-allergic ointment and the blemishes tend to regress within eight weeks without scarring. But the ideal is to pay attention whenever you handle the fruits above and wash your hands well when going out in the sun, okay?

Contact dermatitis

Due to an allergy to some product or food, brown spots appear on the skin, without a standard shape. They can be big or small.

Do you have treatment? The first thing to do is to find out what is causing you allergies and stop using (or consumption). The spots tend to go away naturally, but your doctor may recommend a cream or gel to speed up the process.

Prevent every day!

If you make it a routine to use sunscreen on your face and other areas exposed to the sun, you will already be preventing various types of stains, this is because the sun’s rays have a cumulative effect and, even if nothing happens at the time, in a few years the stains may arise. Talk to your dermatologist to find out which sunscreen is right for your skin type and use one for your face and one for your body.

Using moisturizer after showering and drinking lots of water leaves the skin hydrated and more protected as well. A well cared for skin is more difficult to be attacked. And remember: even without a stain, the ideal is to schedule an appointment with your doctor at least twice a year. It is important for him to assess your skin.