02
Sep
Put dark spots behind you: FAQs about skin discoloration, treatment options
No two patients that Mitchell Dermatology treats are the same. Likewise, dark spots or patches on the face and other body parts can take many forms. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hope Mitchell and our Fremont and Perrysburg, Ohio teams can only effectively lighten and erase these spots when they understand them with an accurate diagnosis. We are pleased to help you better understand this common skin concern by answering some of your most asked-about questions.
Does sun exposure cause all dark spots?
Exposure to UV rays from sunlight or artificial sources is a key contributor to some forms of hyperpigmentation, which is just the medical term for a spot of skin darker than the surrounding tissue. Sun damage is to blame for an estimated 90% of all skin aging – not just skin discoloration but also lines, wrinkles, visible blood vessels, laxity/sagging, and more. Generally, “sun spots” or “age spots” are associated with UV exposure because this risk factor for skin damage is associated with the accumulation or clustering of melanocytes. These cells are responsible for the pigment that gives our skin, hair, and eyes their color. When this process occurs, you may notice darker areas and stick out on otherwise clear, evenly-toned skin.
What if I have really big spots?
Well, those areas could be “age spots” caused by sun damage or another type of hyperpigmentation known as melasma. It is essential for Dr. Mitchell and our team to evaluate your concerns so we can accurately pinpoint the true nature and source of your spots.
Real Patient Before and After Images
What do you mean by “melasma”?
Also known as chloasma, melasma is associated with hormonal changes in women. Only 10% of men develop melasma. It’s estimated that up to a quarter of oral contraceptive users will experience melasma, and up to 15% of pregnant women will develop it. For this reason, melasma is sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy.”
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So, melasma looks bigger than freckles or “sun spots”?
Melasma is often described as “patchy.” Whereas other forms of hyperpigmentation are more often characterized as dots or spots. Other features distinguish melasma from other forms of dark discoloration. Such differences include:
- Areas often have a gray or gray-brown hue instead of being predominantly tan or brown.
- Blotches tend to develop in specific areas of the face, such as the sides of the cheeks, on the forehead and nose, and above the lips and chin.
- Individuals with darker, melanated complexions tend to also be at elevated risk because their skin contains more active melanocytes.
How can you eliminate these dark areas and even out my skin?
Here again, treatment varies depending on what we find as the result of an evaluation. Dr. Mitchell and our teams at Mitchell Dermatology have invested in various therapies to restore your skin’s even, radiant tone. It should be noted that melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots caused by injuries to the skin such as previous acne breakouts) can be particularly “stubborn” and may require more than one type of treatment to support the best results. These treatments may include:
- Topical medications.
- Oral medications.
- Laser therapy.
- Chemical peels.
- Microneedling.
We are also in the best possible position to treat all sorts of patients, as we have a diverse patient base. This is important because certain skin conditions and discoloration can manifest or appear differently on darker versus lighter skin. Moreover, some therapies that work well on lighter skin can aggravate hyperpigmentation on darker skin. So, it’s essential to turn to a specialist with a history of treating discoloration among people of color.
To learn more about safe options to fade your spots, schedule a consultation today. Call 419.871.3737 or 419.871.3636 to reach our Perrysburg and Fremont, OH, offices, respectively.
Hope Mitchell, MD
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Hope Mitchell, MD, is the founder and medical director of Mitchell Dermatology and an Ohio board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist with over 25 years of experience and expertise. Dr. Mitchell obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Rochester and Doctorate of Medicine from The Medical College of Ohio, where she also completed an internship in Internal Medicine and a Pathology Fellowship. She also completed a residency in dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and is certified by the American Board of Dermatology. She advocates mentorship, education, and diversity in medicine and dermatology. She is the founder of the Mitchell Dermatology Student Gap Year Internship Program. She has been featured in many newspapers and magazines and is also a speaker for Google and Black Women in Media too. Dr. Mitchell is the Vice Chair and Director of Research for The National Medical Association, Dermatology Section. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and a Member of the Skin of Color Society and National Medical Association.