TL;DR:
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Common skin discolorations include:
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Dark spots from trauma/inflammation.
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Chloasma: Brown patches (often due to pregnancy/contraceptives).
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Lentigines: Sun-induced small, dark spots.
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Café-au-lait spots: Large congenital brown patches.
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Freckles: Sun-sensitive spots that fade in winter.
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Risk factors: Sun exposure (especially without SPF 50+), skin phototype (I-III more prone to freckles/lentigines, IV-VI to chloasma). UVA rays also accelerate aging.
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Prevention: Use sunscreen and avoid photosensitizing substances (e.g., St. John's wort).
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Treatments:
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Surface discoloration: Peels, microdermabrasion, mesotherapy.
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Deep discoloration: Laser therapy (1-3 treatments, mild irritation, results in 3-7 days).
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Laser removal is quick (15-30 min) and mostly painless.
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Consult a dermatologist for personalized options.
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The most common types of skin discoloration
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – irregular dark spots in areas where trauma or inflammation has previously occurred (can also appear after acne),
- Osteoma – light to dark brown flat patches on the skin, mostly in the middle of the face, can be caused by pregnancy or taking oral contraceptives.
- Lentiginous spots – sharply demarcated, dark spots 1-2 mm in diameter, are flesh-colored, dark brown or red, appear in fair-skinned people due to overexposure to the sun.
- Coffee-milk type spots – are flesh-colored or brown and 10-20 cm in diameter, are most often found on the torso, are congenital or present since early childhood, are caused by too much melanin.
- Freckles – one of the most common hyperpigmentations, considered an asset by some and an aesthetic defect by others. They range in color from flesh-colored to red and appear mainly on the face, neck, décolletage and hands. They fade in the winter, but become visible again in the sunnier months.
In all these cases, however, it is possible to remove hyperpigmentation – modern aesthetic medicine allows you to enjoy smooth skin, even for those who tend to have hyperpigmentation.
The sun and the formation of hyperpigmentation
There is a reason why there is more and more talk about the necessity of daily use of creams with SPF 50. It is worth remembering this, since most Poles have fair skin that is extremely sensitive to UV radiation. Everything depends on the phototype, which must also be taken into account if fractional laser is to be used to remove hyperpigmentation. There are 6 phototypes, of which Poles usually have the first three:
- I – white complexion, red or blond hair, blue eyes, freckles, burns always appear instead of a tan,
- II – fair complexion, red or blond hair, blue, green or peony eyes, difficult to tan, burns usually appear,
- III – creamy white complexion, any color of eyes and hair, tan gradually develops, sometimes mild burns appear,
- IV – brown complexion, easy tanning, skin burns rarely appear (phototype characteristic of Italians and Spaniards, for example),
- V – dark brown complexion, very easy tanning and very rare skin burns (a phototype common in the Middle East, for example),
- VI – black complexion, sunburn never occurs.
The risk of developing specific hyperpigmentation also largely depends on the phototype. Freckles and lentigines spots are much more common in people with phototypes I-III, while chloasma is more common with darker complexions. It is worth remembering that exposure to the sun without using sunscreen, even if it does not result in sunburn, accelerates skin aging. UVA rays damage fibroblasts, accelerating the breakdown of collagen and elastin. As we age, their production naturally declines, which is why many mature women opt for a facelift. However, protection from the sun is one of the most effective ways to delay the aging process.
Effective ways to remove hyperpigmentation.
It is worth avoiding sun exposure without sunscreen and drinking photosensitizing herbs (such as St. John's wort), but unfortunately not all hyperpigmentation can be avoided. In such cases, aesthetic medicine treatments come to the rescue, so it is worth signing up for a consultation with a dermatologist. The specialist will help not only to choose the right method for facial cleansing, but also to deal with more serious problems: to find a way to remove hyperpigmentation and determine what results are possible. The appropriate method for removing hyperpigmentation depends on its depth. If they occur in the superficial layers of the skin, acid peeling, cavitation peeling, exfoliation by Geneo treatment, mesotherapy or microdermabrasion may be sufficient. If the hyperpigmentation goes to deeper layers, laser therapy usually proves necessary. Very often only 1 to 3 treatments are needed to get rid of the discoloration. After the laser treatment, the skin may be irritated and peeling, but the effects in most cases can be seen after just 3 or maximum 7 days. The laser does not need to be feared – the treatment for most patients is not painful, only heat is felt. However, local anesthesia can be used if necessary. One treatment lasts only 15 to 30 minutes, so you don't need to spend too much time on discoloration removal. The laser method is effective for the vast majority of discolorations. The complexion is rarely perfectly smooth, as in pictures corrected in graphic programs – it is natural that imperfections appear on it. However, if they become a source of discomfort and complexes, it's worth acting, as a few treatments are usually enough to get rid of unwanted discoloration.
Conclusion
Hyperpigmentation can be frustrating, but modern treatments offer real solutions. Whether caused by sun damage, hormonal changes, or inflammation, understanding your skin type and options like peels or laser therapy can restore confidence. Protecting your skin with SPF daily is crucial to prevent future spots and slow aging. While nobody’s skin is flawless, addressing discoloration when it impacts your life can make a big difference. Don't ignore effective remedies when smooth skin is achievable. Take control of your skin health today.
