Common Causes of Skin Discoloration (and How to Treat Them)
In a world of seriously-filtered social media posts, smooth and even skin is highly coveted. However, perfect skin tone is rarely a reality. The truth is that skin imperfections are common, and for many that means some form of discoloration.
Types of Skin Discoloration
There are several types and causes of skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation. Sometimes skin discoloration is caused to an over or under-production of melanin, the pigment found in the skin. Other times, it is caused by blood vessels or inflammation.
Age Spots or Sun Spots
Age Spots are flat, dark patches that appear on the surface of the skin. Although they can look like large freckles, they are not the same as freckles. Age spots are also known as sun spots or liver spots. While your liver has no connection to this skin discoloration, sun damage does. These spots tend to appear over time after many years of sun exposure.
Sun damage can cause melanin to collect in a patch of skin cells, causing discoloration. Age spots can appear anywhere on the body but tend to show up in areas that are frequently exposed to the sun. They are not dangerous, but they can be unsightly.
Melasma
Melasma is a specific type of hyperpigmentation also caused by higher levels of melanin but distinct from age spots. This condition may also be tied to sun exposure but is more often associated with hormones within the body. It is more common in women and often appears on the face during pregnancy (although non-pregnant women and men can suffer from melasma, and it can appear elsewhere on the body). Melasma is often seen on both sides of the face and can cover a larger area.
Scars
Injuries can also interfere with melanin production in the skin, leading to discoloration. While any scar can cause hyperpigmentation, one common cause of discoloration on the face is acne scars. As the injury or acne heals, the skin cells produce too much pigment, causing a darker spot on the skin. In some cases, the opposite can occur, and too little melanin is created as the scar heals, causing a lighter color.
What’s more, the healing process can also affect collagen, an important structural protein within the skin. In addition to discoloration, a distortion of collagen as an injury heals can mean a raised or indented textural change, which can exacerbate the appearance of the scar.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks can appear from pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, or from rapid growth during our younger years. These types of fast expansion or retracting of the skin cause damage to the collagen and elastin fibers, showing up on the surface as stretch marks. As with scars, stretch marks can also be indented as well as discolored.
Rosacea
Rosacea is characterized by red, swollen, bumpy skin that may come and go. It tends to spread from the cheeks to other areas of the face. Damaged blood vessels can also become visible on the skin as the condition progresses. Unlike the other types of discoloration we listed, rosacea isn’t caused by melanin. We are not sure what causes rosacea, although genetics seem to play a role.
Skin Discoloration Treatments
Luckily there are treatments for many forms of skin discoloration. Today’s technology means that you do not have to live with hyperpigmentation and other skin discoloration issues. Here are some treatment options available for these issues:
- Venus Viva Skin Resurfacing – Uses radiofrequency to rebuild collagen.
- VI Peels – Deeply exfoliates to renew the surface layer of the skin.
- LimeLight IPL – Leverages intense pulsed light to gently remove unwanted discolored cells.
- Laser Genesis – Skin rejuvenation through heat energy to helps reverse aging, sun damage, and other causes of skin discoloration.
- HydraFacial – Removes dead skin cells, hydrates, and leaves skin softer, smoother, and more even.
- CryoCorrect – This highly precise and targeted treatment freezes away skin imperfections and dark spots.
It is important to determine the cause of your skin discoloration in order to understand which treatment options might be best for you. The first step in getting even, smooth skin tone is to make an appointment with one of our experienced skincare experts.
