Sun Damage, Age Spots & Dark Spots

The sun is the number one cause of signs of aging, wrinkles, brown spots, dull skin and cancer. Over 90% of all visible changes to the skin typically attributed to aging are actually caused by sun exposure.

A major source dark spots, often called age spots, are caused from sun exposure not as a direct result of age. To make matters worse, sun damage is cumulative. The older you get, the more sun damage you accumulate. Sun damage can manifest on the skin 20-30 years down the line.

We all know that excessive sun exposure is bad for your health - the 'healthy glow' people seek every summer contributes to the long-term damage of your skin. However, studies have proven that sun exposure also makes you look older.  A 2006 study conducted  by Proctor & Gamble showed that skin tone can affect a person's perceived age by as much as 20 years. Sun exposure causes photo-aging, the deterioration of the skin from harmful UV rays.

Sun exposure causes photo-aging, the deterioration of the skin from harmful UV rays. The effects of sun damage include:

• Dark Spots or a blotchy, mottled complexion
• Premature Lines and Wrinkles
• Telangiectasias, the dilation of blood vessels under the skin, or broken capillaries
• Elastosis, the deterioration of collagen and elastin that causes the skin to sag
• Thinning Skin and Changes in Skin Texture
• Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions

These dark spots, sometimes called age spots, liver spots, sun spots, lentigines or solar lentigio, can vary in size and color; Often freckle to quarter-sized, and a light tan to dark brown in color. Dark spots are most common on the face, hands, chest and shoulders, but they can occur anywhere that is exposed to UV light.

When skin is exposed to UV light, melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. The production of melanin is the body's defense against sun damage - melanin is able to disperse about 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation.  In some areas of the skin, the concentration of cells may vary - dense amounts of cells can create melanin “deposits,” causing dark spots. As we age, our cells become less diffuse and this defense mechanism becomes less effective, so dark spots become a more frequent occurrence.

Thankfully, there are ways to counteract the signs of aging caused by sun damage. Lightening creams, advanced skin care and Med Spa services such as IPL photo facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and high frequency treatments can help rejuvenate the skin.

Next, will discuss these treatments in depth and explain how they can help sun damaged skin.  Until then, don't forget to wear your sun screen!

What causes Acne Scars, Dark Spots and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation?

If you have ever struggled with acne, you'll probably be familiar with those dark marks that linger for months after your acne has healed - These spots are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is the result of any inflammatory skin reaction from acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, skin infections, skin trauma, burns and drug eruptions. PIH from acne and other skin issues are made worse by picking or squeezing, and sun exposure.

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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when acne, or any other injury causes the skin to be inflamed. This inflammation triggers excess melanin production, leaving behind discoloration after the injury or acne has healed. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation will fade over time, however it can take up to two years to completely go away.

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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is characterized by a flat area of discoloration of the site of injury. This coloration can range from pink, red, purple brown or black - depending on the tone and depth of your skin. The severity of the injury or acne legion also correlates to the darkness of pigmentation; the darker the spot, the longer it'll take to fade.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is very common in acne prone skin as well as deeper skin tones. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is often referred to as acne scars, however these spots are not true scars. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation doesn't involve changes to collagen in the skin, so there is no actual scar tissue. 

Although post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation generally fades on its own, treatments such as laser genesis,  lightening creams, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and daily sun protection can help speed up the fading process.


 

What causes Melasma, Hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots?

Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, can be triggered by several different factors. While sun exposure is a major cause, other issues like hormonal changes and acne can lead to hyperpigmentation.

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Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that is linked to hormonal changes. Melasma is characterized by dark, irregular discoloration ranging in size from freckles to large patches. These dark spots are usually found on the upper cheeks, upper lip, forehead and nose. Melasma very common in pregnant women, in fact its often called ‘the mask of pregnancy.”

Hormone shifts triggered by birth control pills, pregnancy, thyroid conditions and menopause are the most common causes of melasma. Hormonal changes can cause melanin production to spike. Melasma is thought to occur when melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, are stimulated by female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal stimulation causes melanin to produce more pigments when exposed to sunlight. 

Both men and women can develop melasma, however its much more common in women.  Some people may be genetically predisposed to developing melasma. People with darker skin such as African, African American, Asian, Indian, Latin/Hispanic, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent are more prone to hyperpigmentation and melasma. This is because the melanocytes are more active in darker skin tones. 

There are three types of melasma:

• Epidermal melasma
• occurs in superficial layers of the skin
• well-defined borders
• typically dark brown in color
• responds very well to treatment
• Dermal melasma 
• occurs in deeper layers of the skin
• undefined borders
• light brown or blueish in color
• Mixed melasma 
• a combination of epidermal and dermal melasma
• most common type of melasma
• mix of light brown, dark brown and blueish in color 

All cases of melasma start out in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. Dermal melasma occurs when the affected cells are inflamed or over irritated. Inflammation can cause a temporary split between the dermis and epidermis allowing cells from melasma drop from the epidermis into the dermis. Once in the dermis, melasma is very difficult to treat because the cells become resistant to topical treatments.

 

What Type of Sunscreen Should You Use

There are two forms of sun protection, physical sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. The biggest difference between the two is that physical sunscreen blocks ultraviolet radiation from penetrating the skin while chemical sunscreen absorbs and deactivates ultraviolet radiation that has penetrated the skin.

Physical sunscreen, sometimes called mineral or natural sunscreen, is comprised of either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Physical sunscreens work by deflecting the sun’s rays - effectively blocking them from penetrating the skin. The major benefits of physical sunscreen are that it does not decompose through sun exposure and is effective upon application. Zinc Oxide covers the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB spectrum and it is suitable for the most sensitive of skin. The downside of physical sunscreens is that they can feel heavy or greasy on the skin and may leave a white cast- mineral makeup is an alternative, as long as it’s reapplied throughout the day. Physical sunscreen is not absorbed into the skin and due to its thick formula it can be rubbed off easily.

Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin to absorb or scatter the ultraviolet radiation that reaches your skin. Chemical sunscreens can offer more coverage, but they can take up to 20 minutes after application to become effective. The most common ingredients in chemical sunscreens are oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Chemical sunscreens are typically color-less, odorless and more viscous compared to a physical sunscreen. Some of the chemical filters used in this type of sunscreen can cause free radicals that can age the skin and cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Ultimately, the best sunscreen is one that you will use. Most sunscreens on the market offer a combination of both physical and chemical properties - so be sure to check the ingredients! Be sure to wear enough sunscreen to be effective and reapply often. A sunscreen with SPF 30 applied to every 2-3 hours provides enough coverage for the average person. A general rule of thumb when applying sunscreen is that 1 oz, or a shot glass, worth of product is needed to cover your body and a nickel to quarter size amount for your face and neck.

What is hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots?

Hyperpigmentation is a condition where small patches of skin become darker in tone than the rest of the body. Hyper pigmentation is caused by excess production of melanin - the natural pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes pigmentation.

Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes and is stimulated by UV light. When skin is exposed to sunlight, melanin is able to disperse over 99.9% of the absorbed UV radiation causing the skin to tan and protecting the skin cells from damage. In some areas of the skin, the concentration of cells may vary - dense amounts of cells can create melanin “deposits,” causing dark spots. As we age, our cells become less diffuse and our skin becomes more susceptible to dark spots.

The biggest defense against hyper pigmentation is sunscreen. Because dark spots are generally caused by a reaction to the sun, sunscreen is going to help minimize that stimulation of melanocytes - preventing new spots and inhibiting existing dark spots from getting darker.