What Are Dark Spots?
Also known as hyperpigmentation, dark spots are small patches where the skin produces more melanin than the rest of the skin on the body, causing some of the skin to appear darker. Melanin is not a bad thing. It gives all parts of the body color, from your hair to your eyes and your skin. However, uneven melanin production often creates an unbalanced skin tone or splotches of different shades of brown that makes people feel self-conscious and uncomfortable with the way they look.
This type of skin discoloration most frequently occurs on the face, shoulders, hands, and arms. The spots may appear for a number of reasons, and usually, they are not dangerous, though you may consider them unattractive.
- Damage from the sun or tanning beds
- Inflammation of a condition like psoriasis or eczema
- Hormonal changes like pregnancy, in which case the skin color change is referred to as melisma
- Irritation from a topical product that does not react well with the skin
- Recent wound healing
- Diabetes
- Medications like tetracyclines and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
There is not one single cause of dark patches of skin, but many people will readily admit that they are not careful about their sun exposure. Tanning, whether naturally in the sun or a tanning bed, is a leading cause of hyperpigmentation and must be taken seriously as it could lead to more serious skin conditions.
How Are Dark Spots Treated?
Technology today allows skin imperfections to be targeted and treated more quickly and thoroughly than ever before. Most procedures can be completed in a matter of hours and require no downtime or change to your normal schedule. You no longer have to guess which expensive cream may deliver results over the span of a year or more.
Photofacial Skin Restoration
One of the leading dark spot treatments is called Photofacial skin restoration, which is performed with an ICON laser. This simple, gentle procedure targets hyperpigmentation and breaks down the excess melanin to return the affected areas of skin to more normal levels of pigment that are closer to what the rest of the skin produces. It also pushes the immune system to activate and naturally reduce irregularities in the skin tone.
Hydrafacial Treatments
Hydrafacials are another helpful option for treatment. These are given on a more routine basis and may require more time to see the same level of results. This treatment focuses on the overall health of the skin and reversing the signs of aging, like wrinkles. During a Hydrafacial, the skin will be cleansed and exfoliated to reveal a healthier and younger layer of skin. The pores will be cleared, then nourished with moisture, antioxidants, and peptides to boost the skin’s natural processes and promote faster and more continuous new cell production.
Combine Restoration With Treatment for Best Results
Though either of these processes can be done independently, they will be even more effective when paired with one another. Together, they can improve the overall health of the skin and maintain the skin’s progress when revisited according to a schedule recommended by the doctor who performs them. Following up a Photofacial treatment with regular Hydrafacials will allow the skin to continue improving and prevent discoloration.
Schedule An Appointment Today
Dr. Vanderloos is a well-established healthcare provider who understands that true beauty is rooted in a healthy body. That is why she focuses her effort on women’s health as a whole and not just on skin solutions. Her knowledge and expertise in women’s health allow her to work with your body’s natural processes to uncover a new version of yourself that you will adore. Stop covering your hyperpigmentation with makeup or trying to solve it with creams that won’t deliver real results. Contact us today to book your Photofacial skin restoration or Hydrafacial appointment and start your journey with Dr. Vanderloos to brighter, clearer, and more beautiful skin.
Call 318-865-4333 or contact us online today to schedule an appointment for healthy skin!
