Age spots and sun spots are the same thing. They are a common form of hyperpigmentation and appear as small, flat and darkened patches of skin that are light brown to black in color. They are most common in people over the age of 40 (hence the name) but they can occur earlier.
Are age spots pigmentation?
If you have light skin and spend a lot of time in the sun, you’re more likely to develop age spots — areas of increased pigmentation. Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin.
What is the difference between hyperpigmentation and age spots?
Hyperpigmentation is a common condition that makes some areas of the skin darker than others. “Hyper” means more, and “pigment” means color. Hyperpigmentation can appear as brown, black, gray, red or pink spots or patches. The spots are sometimes called age spots, sun spots or liver spots.
Are dark spots hyperpigmentation?
Dark spots on the face can result from hyperpigmentation, which is a common skin condition that occurs when the skin produces too much melanin. Hyperpigmentation can be due to sun exposure, scarring, aging, and more. Many dark spots are harmless.
What is the difference between melasma and age spots?
Areas most exposed to the sun. Age spots are common in adults older than age of 50. Melasma is a common skin condition of adults in which light to dark brown pigmentation develops, mainly on the face. Freckles are flat, tanned spots that may develop on sun exposed skin after repeated exposure to sunlight.
How do I know if I have hyperpigmentation or melasma?
Although it also is a type of condition characterized by darker patches of skin, melasma is differentiated from other forms of hyperpigmentation mainly by its cause; rather than just being sun-related, melasma is caused in part by hormonal changes within the body.
How do I know if I have hyperpigmentation?
Darkened areas on the skin are the main symptoms of hyperpigmentation. Patches can vary in size and develop anywhere on the body. The biggest risk factors for general hyperpigmentation are sun exposure and inflammation, as both situations can increase melanin production.
What age do age spots start?
These so-called age spots most commonly occur in people over 50. But individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s can also develop “age spots” with prolonged and frequent exposure to the sun. So, though they’re related to sunshine, age spots do occur as your sun exposure accumulates with aging.
What is the best treatment for age spots?
Medications. Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over several months. The treatments might cause temporary itching, redness, burning or dryness. Laser and intense pulsed light.
What does hyperpigmentation look like on dark skin?
What does hyperpigmentation look like on Black skin? Hyperpigmentation will appear as a mark, spot, or area that’s noticeably darker than your surrounding skin. The exact color of a hyperpigmented spot can depend on what’s causing it to occur, as well as on your individual skin tone.
Does Retinol fade dark spots?
Retinol can be effective in lightening the skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots. It does so by promoting skin shedding, which improves cell turnover rate and hinders the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, which encourages the production of melanin.
Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades?
Yes. Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.
Can hyperpigmentation be permanent?
Hyperpigmentation within the dermis has a blue-gray appearance and may either be permanent or resolve over a protracted period of time if left untreated.
What treatment is best for hyperpigmentation?
Hydroquinone is considered by many to be the gold standard treatment for pigmentation. “Hydroquinone blocks the production of pigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase,” explains Dr Jack, adding that it does so in a particularly potent way.
Can hyperpigmentation go away?
Hyperpigmentation can go away on its own, dependent on the cause, but it may take a long time to fade. Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely.
Can age spots look like melanoma?
Some changes in your skin come with age, such as the unpopular age spots (also known as sun spots or liver spots). These have nothing to do with the liver and are caused instead by long-term sun exposure. Some of these dark spots, however, may look suspiciously like melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.
References:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/age-spots/symptoms-causes/syc-20355859
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21885-hyperpigmentation
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-dark-spots-on-the-face
- https://csaok.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-brown-spots-freckles-and-melasma
- https://columbiaskinclinic.com/medical-dermatology/hyperpigmentation-vs-melasma-understanding-the-difference/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperpigmentation
- https://www.dermatologyofboca.com/blog/getting-rid-of-those-brown-spots-has-never-been-easier
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/age-spots/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355864
- https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/hyperpigmentation-on-black-skin
- https://dermcollective.com/retinol-for-hyperpigmentation/
- https://www.vivantskincare.com/blogs/hyperpigmentation/why-do-dark-spots-get-darker-before-they-get-lighter
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921758/
- https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a37685934/hyperpigmentation-treatments/
- https://www.eparaskincare.com/blogs/epara/does-hyperpigmentation-go-away
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/melanoma-or-age-spots-how-to-tell-the-difference.aspx