What causes pigmentation. Efficacy and contraindications. Pigmented skin care and prevention

Pigment spots on the face and body, as well as areas with insufficient skin color or its complete absence, are one of the most pressing problems of modern dermatocosmetology.

Such local disorders are associated with a coloring pigment, mainly melanin, as a result of which they are combined into one group of skin pathology by the term “melanosis”. In recent decades, the number of people with hyperpigmentation has increased especially significantly.

Why do age spots appear?

Depending on the excess of melanin (dark spots), lack or absence of pigment (white spots), local melanoses are distinguished as hyper- and hypomelanoses, respectively. They are not just limited cosmetic defects, differing in causes and mechanisms of development and very often seriously traumatic for the psyche, but can be the result of both local limited disorders and various diseases of the body. To have an idea of how to get rid of age spots and in what cases this is possible, it is necessary to understand the causes and mechanisms of their formation.

Melanin is the main pigment that determines the color of the skin. It exists in 2 types, the ratio of which determines the color of the skin:

eumelanin - an insoluble pigment of black or brown color;
pheomelanin is a soluble pigment with various shades ranging from brown to yellow.

Melanin is synthesized and contained in large cells with processes - melanocytes, which are located in the epidermal basal layer between keratinocytes. The main component of melanocytes is the amino acid tyrosine. As a result of a chain of biochemical reactions involving enzymes, the main of which is tyrosinase, tyrosine is oxidized to form pigment from the oxidation products.

Activation of the tyrosinase enzyme occurs only in the presence of oxygen, copper ions and under the influence of ultraviolet rays. Synthesized melanin accumulates in the organelles (melanosomes) formed in melanocytes, which then move along the processes of the former into the keratinocytes of the epidermis and are evenly distributed at different depths in all layers, and the melanosomes are destroyed.

Regulation of the biological processes of melanin synthesis and secretion is determined by genes, the influence of the endocrine system with the participation of the middle lobe of the pituitary gland (through melanin-stimulating hormone), ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial sources, and a combination of these factors.

In these processes, disturbances in amino acid metabolism, the function of the nervous system, liver and spleen, and deficiency of microelements such as magnesium, copper, sulfur and iron are also of considerable importance. For example, magnesium is involved in the regulation of the secretion of melanin-stimulating hormone, is directly involved in the transmission of signals from hormonal receptors, is able to suppress the action of tyrosinase, and helps maintain the connective tissue structure, due to which the pigment is distributed more evenly.

Thus, the reasons for the appearance of age spots are very numerous. They are capable of causing both a local decrease in the number of melanocytes and a disorder of the briefly described mechanisms, resulting in disturbances in the synthesis and secretion of melanin and its distribution in the skin. The vast majority of patients have limited areas of increased pigmentation on the skin.

Is it possible to remove age spots?

Depending on the causes and mechanisms of occurrence, hypermelanosis is divided into two groups:

Primary, representing a large group of diseases in which focal hyperpigmentation is the leading and, most often, the only clinical sign, although sometimes it can be combined with other manifestations of the disease. Primary hypermelanosis can be acquired, congenital and hereditary, which are inherited, detected immediately after birth or after some time and, often, in combination with symptoms of some other pathology.
Secondary, including limited skin changes, the cause of which were primary morphological elements in the form of rashes of any infectious or inflammatory origin. Hyperpigmentation in these cases develops as a result of the influence of proinflammatory cytokines. It has the character of residual effects of previous dermatosis (eczema, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, various vasculitis, etc.). Such defects, as a rule, do not require any therapy and after some time disappear spontaneously after cure or long-term remission of the underlying pathology.

Acquired hypermelanosis also includes all cases of activation of the synthesis and secretion of melanin, which develop throughout life under the influence of:

Some types of primary hypermelanosis cannot be treated with cosmetic products at all. In these cases, pigment spots can only be removed through therapeutic and sometimes surgical treatment of the underlying pathology.

The most common types of age spots

Lentigo

It is a primary hypermelanosis and usually develops between the ages of 10 and 70 years. The lesions are represented by round or oval spots with a maximum diameter from several millimeters to 1 - 2 cm and various colors - from light to dark brown and even black, which depends on the duration of their existence. Lentigo is most often localized on the face, neck, upper chest and arms.

Causes include chronic sun exposure and age. Depending on the latter, juvenile (simple, youthful) and senile lentigo are distinguished. Simple disease can develop on any skin area and even on mucous membranes. In the basal layer, there is an increased content of melanin, but its local distribution is observed.

Already in old age, age spots often appear, which is mainly due to a change (slowdown) in metabolic processes. It is important that lentigo spots are a precancerous pathology. This is confirmed by histological examination - degeneration of collagen fibers is detected in the dermal layer, prone to staining with alkaline dyes, which indicates “solar” elastosis. Therefore, the choice of treatment in elderly patients should be very careful and reasonably justified.

Freckles, or ephelides

They are one of the typical features of the skin of blondes and red-haired people and belong to hereditary primary hypermelanosis. Their number is not associated with an increased number of melanocytic cells, but with a more intense formation and accumulation of melanin in keratinocytes.

Freckles appear in childhood (from 4 to 6 years), and in older age (after 30 years) the number of elements decreases significantly. They look like spots with a diameter of 0.1 to 0.4 mm, localized on the face, on the back and front surface of the chest, as well as on the limbs. The boundaries of the ephelides are clearly defined. Their number and intensity of pigmentation increase significantly in spring and summer under the influence of ultraviolet rays, especially after sunbathing.

In addition, in women (less often in men) after 40-50 years, so-called age-related signs appear on the face, skin of the shoulder girdle, on the upper parts of the back and front surface of the chest, in the lower 1/3 of the forearms and on the back surface of the hands. freckles. With increasing age, their number increases more and more.

The appearance of such age spots is associated with a decrease in the hormonal function of the ovaries and a decrease in the content of estrogen in the blood, with a weakening (in both women and men) of the protective reaction to the damaging effects of sunlight and a decrease in the barrier functions of the skin, as a result of which it becomes more susceptible to micro damage.

This melanosis is not a manifestation of a pathological condition and does not require treatment, however, patients quite often turn to cosmetology clinics about this. With a professional approach, in most cases it is possible to effectively whiten age spots.

Chloasma

This is the most common type of limited primary acquired hypermelonosis, in which melanin accumulates in the epidermal cells of the spinous and basal layers, and the number of melanosomes in the superficial dermal layers increases.

Chloasma appears between the ages of 20-50 years. They look like spots with irregular outlines of dark yellow or dark brown color. Favorite localization is forehead, cheeks, periorbital area, upper lip and bridge of the nose, zygomatic region, neck. The cause of hyperpigmentation is excessive sun exposure against the background of changes in the blood levels of estrogen, progesterone and luteinizing hormone in women, and in men - decreased levels of testosterone and increased levels of luteinizing hormone.

Especially often, such hormonal changes are associated with the second half of pregnancy, pathological processes in the uterus, ovarian tumors and the use of oral contraceptives. Pigment spots occur during pregnancy in most women (on average 90%). First of all, they appear mainly in “hormone-dependent” zones (areola area, white line of the abdomen and inner thighs), and then in the above-mentioned zones.

Chloasma, melasma

Melasma

Which is equated by many authors to chloasma. However, melasma is not associated with the reproductive organs, but with the pathology of other organs (liver diseases, etc.) and ultraviolet radiation. It is characterized by a more pronounced aggressiveness of the course, compared to chloasma, and can be transient (in spring and summer, with hormonal surges) and chronic, when hyperpigmentation spots do not completely disappear, but only become paler.

The number of requests from patients with melasma is even significantly higher than those with chloasma. A remedy for pigment spots for melasma is chosen depending on its varieties (epidermal, dermal and mixed), which differ in the depth of location of the excess amount of pigment.

Broca's pigmented perioral dermatosis

Isolated into a separate form of hypermelanosis. It develops predominantly in middle-aged (30-40 years old) women with hormonal ovarian dysfunction or dysfunction of the digestive tract. Lesions with clear boundaries or blurry outlines are localized in the area of the nasolabial triangle. The spots have a yellow-brown color of varying intensity, up to complete disappearance. Removal of age spots on the face with Broca's dermatosis is possible only as a result of complex therapy with primary correction of the underlying pathology.

Treatment of age spots

In order to prevent the appearance of age spots or increase the intensity of color, as well as during their treatment, photoprotective products containing ultraviolet filters (with an SPF factor of at least 50) are used - sprays, emulsions and creams from various manufacturers.

Methods for getting rid of pigmented skin defects:

Laser removal of age spots.
Whitening, consisting of two stages - mechanical or chemical peeling and direct bleaching effect. The latter is achieved mainly by blocking the enzyme tyrosinase and reducing the production of melanin by melanocytes.

Laser exposure

For the purpose of selective photothermolysis, carbon dioxide, alexandrite, ruby, copper vapor or dye lasers are mainly used. If the principle of action is to evaporate tissues containing melanin, then the lightening effect of other types is to destroy and disperse the pigment into particles (selective photothermolysis), which are then removed by macrophages through the lymphatic system. Laser can be used to remove age spots on the face and other parts of the body.

Each type of laser is designed for a specific type and depth of local hypermelanosis. Recently, high-pulse IPL therapy has become very popular. With these treatment methods it is possible to remove defects relatively quickly and achieve excellent results.

However they are very expensive. In addition, laser removal of pigment spots can cause various complications - repeated, even more pronounced hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation in the form of white spots, scars. In ordinary beauty salons, mechanical (dermabrasion and, much less frequently, cryodestruction) and chemical peelings followed by bleaching are mainly used.

Laser removal of pigment spots

Peeling

Chemical peels are carried out using retinol and its derivatives, as well as fruit alpha-hydroxy acids - citric, kojic, malic, tartaric, glycolic, lactic, almond. Fruit acids also have a regenerating effect.

To achieve a depigmenting effect, drugs are used whose main components are hydroquinone (rarely used due to toxicity), ricinol, arbutin, salicylic, kojic, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid in the form of magnesium ascorbyl-2-phosphate. In addition, these substances have mild exfoliating, and some of them have antioxidant effects. Chemical peeling is often combined with mesotherapy procedures to introduce ascorbic, glycolic acids and other drugs.

Pigmentation is a violation of the uniform color of the skin that occurs due to a malfunction of melanocytes, which are subsequently synthesized into melanin. Dark or light spots are a consequence of pigmentation on the skin and can be located on various parts of the body and bring discomfort to the owners.

There are 4 skin pigments: melanin, carotene, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin. Disturbances in the synthesis of melanin cells lead to the formation of pigment spots. Usually, the appearance of spots on the dermis does not pose a threat to human health. Pigmentation on the skin in the form of dark spots is not contagious. There are formations that can cause serious problems.

The main causes of pigmentation:

prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays (stay in the sun, in a solarium);
changes in the body's hormonal levels (adolescence, pregnancy, taking contraceptives);
taking medications (carefully read the side effects of the drug);
low-quality cosmetics;
metabolic disease;
diseases of the liver and digestive system;
regular stress and nervous tension;
age-related problems of women associated with menopause;
genetic predisposition;
injuries;
fungus;
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Types of pigmentation disorders

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) details the types of pigmentation. Let's look at the general features.

These spots indicate increased melanin production:

Freckles are a common and harmless type of pigmentation disorder. It occurs preferentially in people with blond and red hair; it can occur in adults and children. Their distinctive feature is their small size (1-2 mm) and golden color. Locations are varied, most often the neck, face, hands. With prolonged exposure to the sun, they become more pronounced, acquire a dark red color, lighten in winter and are almost invisible.
Nevi (black moles) come in different shapes, colors and sizes and can be located on any part of the body: legs, face, stomach, back, armpits, head. They can be smooth or rough, covered with hair. Almost all people have them and rarely cause concern. If a mole causes discomfort, sharply increases in size or causes itching, then you need to consult a specialist.
Atypical nevi differ from ordinary moles in their larger size and shape. They are dangerous because they can become the initial stage of melanoma.
Lentigo is a benign form of age spots. It appears in two forms. The occurrence of lentigo in older people (senile) is mainly due to liver disease. Solar lentigo forms with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Externally, these pigment spots resemble freckles.

Pigment spots more often affect older people, less often observed in young and mature people.

Sun spots (burns) are yellow or light brown. They arise as a result of excessive exposure to the sun among tanners and will lead to early aging of the skin.
Chloasma will appear with drug abuse. Such a pigment spot indicates a malfunction of the internal organs and has a color from brown to dark brown. It most often occurs in women on the temples, cheeks, and upper lip. If you discover chloasma, do not delay visiting a doctor, otherwise the disease may become malignant.

With depigmentation, melanin stops being produced:

Vitiligo is a type of skin pigmentation in which the spots are white or light pink.
Albinism is an extremely rare congenital disease. Red eyes and white hair are its symptoms.

What diseases may this indicate?

Any pigment spots on the skin are the result of a violation of melanin production. The thyroid gland, pituitary gland and genital organs are responsible for its work. Therefore, the cause of pigmentation should be sought in one or more organ systems. It is worth visiting an endocrinologist, dermatologist and gynecologist, because only a physician can make the correct diagnosis and find out whether age spots are a consequence or a cause of the disease.

Impaired skin pigmentation indicates the following diseases and conditions:

It is necessary to immediately consult a doctor if the spot suddenly changes, begins to itch, peels, bleeds, or increases in size.

How to restore skin pigmentation

Medications

They are prescribed exclusively by a doctor and after establishing the exact cause of age spots. Only medication can restore or treat pigmentation in diseases of internal organs.
If pigmentation is a cosmetic defect, then the effect of the drugs should be aimed at lightening the spots. In this case, you need to take medications containing vitamins C and A. Hydroquinone (1.5-8%) whitens pigmentation, but can discolor the skin around the spot. Apply hydrogen peroxide only to the stain itself, otherwise damage to healthy dermis may occur.
An endocrinologist may prescribe corticosteroids, which will reduce the activity of melanocytes.

None of the above medications should be taken without a doctor's prescription.

Cosmetic procedures

They are used exclusively if pigmentation does not occur due to internal diseases. Cosmetology offers measures aimed at removing or discoloring a pigmented area of skin.

Chemical peeling works by replacing damaged cells. It consists of the cosmetologist applying glycolic, fruit or other acid for a damaging local effect on the skin. There are two types of chemical peeling – deep and superficial.
Laser treatment is a painless and very effective method. To achieve results, 2-3 procedures may be required. After laser treatment, melanin is destroyed, and healthy skin is not damaged. It is important for a specialist to choose the right laser, since each of them has its own wavelength.
Mesotherapy – introduction of glauric acid. The result is lightening of pigment spots.
Cryotherapy - liquid nitrogen is applied to pigmented areas, causing them to die. With this method, there is a possibility that scars will remain.
Dermabrasion is a procedure for mechanical abrasion of the affected layer of skin, which involves treatment with a special device with a rotating disk. It is carried out under anesthesia.

Nutrition

The presence of age spots indicates a deficiency of vitamins A, C, E, PP. A diet containing the following products is required.

Vitamin A is found in carrots, apricots, liver, fish oil, and parsley.

You will find vitamin C in onions, sauerkraut, cauliflower, apples, rowan berries, oranges, red peppers, and chili peppers. Rose hips, especially dried ones, are most endowed with this vitamin.

Vitamin E predominates in oils: soybean, wheat germ oil, cottonseed, flaxseed. There is also a lot of it in cereal crops.

Vitamin PP is found in beef liver, cheese, milk, and eggs.

The consumption of salt and sugar should be limited.

Pigmented skin care and prevention

Limited exposure to the sun, especially from 11 to 17 (high activity time). If you cannot do without being outside at this time, you should apply special creams to protect against ultraviolet rays.
Control of time spent in the solarium.
In hot weather, perfume compositions (perfumes, colognes) should not be applied.
Excessive heat and being outside during periods of increased solar activity are strictly contraindicated for pregnant women and children.
Limit the use of any medications or at least consult a doctor about their use if you cannot avoid being outside in the heat.
It is also undesirable to take contraceptives during prolonged exposure to the sun.
Limiting the amount of salty foods you eat.
Increase immunity and include in your diet foods containing vitamins A, E, PP, C.

Any treatment of age spots, which are a cosmetic defect, should be carried out at a time of year when the sun is inactive (usually in winter).

Every representative of the fair sex strives to have beautiful and healthy skin throughout her life. But on the way to this dream there are often obstacles such as age spots on the face. They are not so easy to get rid of, and they annoy the lady with their unaesthetic appearance.

Many naively believe that the appearance is related specifically to the condition of the skin and use only cosmetic preparations to combat it. As a rule, such methods are not enough and the spots either do not disappear, or fade insignificantly, or upset their owner with their steady progression. Such an unsuccessful fight against them is explained by the fact that there are many reasons for their appearance, and almost all of them are associated with disturbances in the functioning of the body.

In our article we will talk about the reasons for the appearance of age spots on the face and various methods of getting rid of them and treating them. Such knowledge will allow you to look at this problem from a different perspective and take timely measures to combat it.

Causes and types of pigmentation on the face

Age spots can appear in both young girls and women over 50. As a rule, their appearance is more likely over the age of 35-40. In isolated cases, they go away spontaneously; more often, getting rid of them requires considerable effort.

A pigment spot is an area of excessive accumulation of: a special pigment found in various layers of the epidermis. When it is deposited in the upper layer of the skin, pale spots (for example, freckles or moles) form. They can be from light yellow to brown and, in most cases, do not cause much trouble or worry to their owner.

Hyperpigmentation, which is deposited in the deeper layers of the epidermis, looks completely different - a dark brown spot appears on the surface of the skin (it can even rise above the surface of the skin). Such pigmentations are more frustrating for women, and in some cases they greatly interfere with them (for example, applying makeup, putting on or taking off clothes).

Doctors distinguish the following types of pigmentation:

freckles;
chloasma;
lentigo;
moles and birthmarks.

What can cause increased levels of melanin production? There are many reasons for the appearance of age spots.

Heredity

This type of pigmentation is due to a genetic predisposition. Typically, pigment spots are already noticeable in newborns, and they can only be eliminated using stronger techniques (for example, laser resurfacing).

Hormonal diseases and changes

Deeply colored and irregularly shaped pigment spots may appear during menstruation, pregnancy, the first year after childbirth, or due to hormonal imbalances caused by a medical condition. Doctors call them chloasma and do not recommend doing anything specifically to eliminate them.

In case of diseases that cause hormonal imbalance, treatment of the underlying disease is recommended. The causes of endocrine pigmentation can be gynecological diseases, neoplasms of the pituitary gland, etc. After treatment of the underlying disease and normalization of the woman’s hormonal levels, they become significantly pale and gradually disappear.

Skin injuries

Such pigmentation can be provoked by severe cases of acne, chemical and thermal burns, unsuccessful peeling and other injuries. Their intensity depends on the individual characteristics of the skin and the depth of the traumatic lesion. In some cases, local remedies to eliminate such age spots are not enough, and complex treatment must be carried out.

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays

Pigment spots of this type are provoked by aggressive exposure to sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet radiation. They often appear on the face, because the skin of this area of the body is the thinnest and most vulnerable. Melanin is designed to protect the skin from burns and paints it a darker color, but if you abuse the solarium or stay in the active open sun during the daytime, the pigment layer can become uneven. Spring rays of the sun have a particularly aggressive effect, because after winter the skin of the face is partially depigmented. In some cases, even the use of sunscreen cannot protect it from the appearance of unsightly spots. You should not be in the direct rays of the daytime sun for too much time; morning and early evening hours are preferable.

Diseases of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and intestines

Reddish spots appear in women with work disorders, brown spots with pathologies or, yellowish-brown spots with. They do not require separate treatment; they turn pale and disappear when a proper diet is prescribed and the functions of the internal organs are normalized.

Nervous disorders, mental illness and frequent stress

Such pigmentation is caused by metabolic and hormonal imbalances. The spots can come in various shapes and sizes.

Lack of vitamins or minerals

Quite a common reason! Spots can be caused by not consuming enough vitamin C or copper foods. Once the deficiency is eliminated, they gradually disappear.

Taking medications

Sometimes spots on the skin appear after long-term use of certain medications. They are most often caused by taking antibiotics. Be sure to contact your doctor and inform about the appearance of pigmentation; your medication will be replaced or discontinued.

Allergic reactions, improper use of skin care products and poor-quality cosmetics

Rash and spots on the skin appear immediately after applying a cosmetic or other product. They can be provoked by essential oils, low-quality ingredients of decorative cosmetics, and unreasonably frequent cleansing of the skin.

Aging

Alas, often dark spots on the face, as well as on the neck and hands can appear over the age of 40-45 years. They are caused by increased production of melanin and its uneven distribution, hormonal changes and aging of the skin layers. Also, their appearance may be associated with the presence of chronic diseases, which increase with age.

The appearance of pigmentation in itself in most cases is not dangerous, but it always signals a malfunction in one of the body systems. When it appears, you should think about the state of your health and undergo a diagnostic examination. What it will be like will be determined by the doctor.

Treatment of age spots on the face

A cosmetologist will recommend a method for eliminating age spots.

The main principle of treating pigmentation is to eliminate the cause of its occurrence. To identify it, you may need to consult a therapist, gynecologist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist. After making a diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment for the underlying disease, after which the spots on the skin of the face will either disappear spontaneously or turn pale, and it will be much easier to get rid of them.

Most women want to quickly get rid of age spots that spoil their appearance, and use various methods to get rid of these unpleasant cosmetic defects.

whitening;
cosmetic procedures;
cosmetical tools;
traditional medicine recipes.

Skin whitening for age spots

Various substances can be used as “whiteners” for hyperpigmentation:

Hydrogen peroxide - a 3% solution can only be applied to the area of the pigment spot, as this product can injure the skin.
Mercury cream: can be used short-term, as long-term use of this aggressive product can cause skin irritation. note: It is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.
Zinc paste – gently whitens the skin, helps eliminate wrinkles and acne.

Cosmetic procedures for age spots

These techniques can only be performed by a cosmetologist or dermatologist and are selected individually depending on the severity of pigmentation, location, indications and contraindications.

Skin whitening is promoted by:

Ultrasonic or chemical peeling: the type of procedure is determined by the doctor. Glycolic, fruit and other acids can be used for chemical peeling. They promote exfoliation and renewal of the upper layers of the skin and eliminate pigmentation. For ultrasonic peeling, special equipment is used to introduce various drugs into the upper layers of the skin, causing skin renewal and whitening.
Laser treatment is performed using laser beams that gently remove the top layer of skin and promote its renewal. This modern technique is quite traumatic and painful. After its completion, the use of various healing drugs is required. It is better to carry out this procedure in winter, since this is the time of year when the sun's rays are least active. In addition to whitening the skin, laser beams help improve its condition: it rejuvenates, becomes more elastic, and acquires a beautiful and even tone.
Phototherapy: This procedure is performed using a laser device that produces intense pulses of light. Light waves hit only areas of the pigment spot and destroy cells with a high melanin content.

Cosmetics for age spots

Cosmetic whitening creams are most commonly used to remove areas of pigmentation. Dear women, treatment with such products must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, because inept use of them can cause the opposite effect - there are more pigment spots, they contrast more strongly with the main skin tone.

The doctor will determine the type of whitening cream and rule out possible contraindications to its use. Some cosmetics cannot be used if you have kidney or liver disease. They are also contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

The most commonly used whitening cosmetics are:

Achromin Alen Mak cream gently removes stains and protects facial skin from ultraviolet rays.
Retin-A cream helps reduce the amount of melanin in the skin.
VC-IP solution (based on vitamin C) - it is able to prevent hyperpigmentation of the upper layers of the skin.

Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of complex treatment of hyperpigmentation problems. Sun protection and use of a topical product.

Traditional recipes for age spots

In some cases, with superficial age spots on the face, time-tested folk recipes for masks and lotions can help.

Fresh cucumber mask: grate the cucumber on a fine grater, apply the resulting pulp to your face for half an hour. You don’t have to wash off the mask, but simply remove it with a napkin.
Yeast and lemon juice mask: 20 g of fresh yeast are mixed with 15 ml of lemon juice. The resulting paste is applied to the face for 15-20 minutes and washed off with warm water.
Parsley lotion: 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley, pour 100 ml of water. Let it brew for an hour and strain. Add 100 ml of milk and wipe cleansed face twice a day.
Pour the strained parsley infusion into water molds and place in the freezer. Washing them in the morning quickly removes stains, tones the skin, and tightens pores.
Rice flour, honey and vinegar mask: mix 2 teaspoons of rice flour with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Apply the mixture to your face for half an hour. Remove the mask with a dry cloth and rinse your face.
Almond and lemon juice mask: grind half a glass of almonds through a meat grinder and mix with lemon juice and a small amount of water. Apply the mixture to your face for 20 minutes. Rinse off the mask with warm water.
Potato and egg yolk mask: boil one potato in its skin, peel it and mash with a fork. Add egg yolk to the resulting puree and mix. Apply to your face and keep the mask on until the potatoes have cooled completely. Rinse off with warm water.
Protein mask: mix the white of 1 egg with the juice of 1/4 lemon and 3-4 drops of hydrogen peroxide. Apply to skin for 10 minutes, rinse with water or milk, apply nourishing cream.
Lotion made from milk and vodka: mix milk and vodka in a ratio of 3:1. Wipe your face at night.

Traditional recipes have a fairly gentle effect on the skin of the face, but in order to avoid skin irritation and allergic reactions, it is recommended that before using them, try applying the product to a small area of skin on the inner surface of the forearm. If redness does not appear after 15-20 minutes, the product can be used.

A pigmented area can appear not only on the body, but also on the face, which is especially unpleasant from an aesthetic point of view. The causes of age spots on the face (skin pigmentation) are varied. They can be hereditary, congenital, or arise as a consequence of a disease. Correct diagnosis is extremely important, as it increases the chances of eliminating the defect permanently.

Classification of age spots

Melanogenesis is one of the body's defense mechanisms. Melanocytes produce melanin, which is transported along cell processes to keratinocytes and becomes part of the epidermis. Here it plays the role of a UV filter and absorbs solar radiation, preventing burns and the harmful effects of radiation.

Failures in this process lead to increased production of melanin and the formation of hyperpigmented areas on the body. Based on their origin, all hypermelanosis can be divided into primary and secondary.

1. Primary:

2. Secondary:

post-infectious: manifestations of tuberculosis, syphilis;
post-inflammatory: after acne, lichen planus, eczema, neurodermatitis, etc.

Among the most common hypermelanosis localized on the face are:

Factors that contribute to skin pigmentation

The mechanism of malfunctions in the functioning of melanocytes has not been fully studied, therefore, in each specific case, the reason for the appearance of pigment spots on the forehead, neck, and around the eyes is individual. Factors that contribute to the appearance of hypermelanosis and aggravation of their condition include:

disruption of the body’s hormonal levels due to pregnancy, taking hormonal medications (including oral contraceptives), puberty and menopause;
exposure to UV rays. This can also include photoaging - skin withering as a result of constant UV irradiation;
deficiency or excess of vitamins and microelements that affect the production of melanin: amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan, selenium, copper, vitamins B10, A, E;
unhealthy lifestyle: constant or immediate severe stress, alcohol abuse, smoking;
genetic predisposition;
age-related skin pigmentation: a natural decrease in melanin production leads to increased vulnerability of the skin to UV rays;
disturbances in the functioning of internal organs - the gallbladder and liver (pigmentation is often a manifestation of hepatitis A);
taking medications with a phototoxic effect that cause skin irritation and increased photosensitivity. These include tetracycline, sulfonamides, quinine, antihistamines and acne medications.

Types of age spots or facial skin pigmentation

Diseases that cause skin pigmentation disorders

In addition to the above factors, some diseases contribute to the appearance of hyperpigmented areas on the face:

Albinism is a congenital pathology, which consists in the absence of melanin in the body. It is believed that pigment production is blocked due to insufficient amounts of the enzyme tyrosinase. It can be total, partial and incomplete: total is expressed in hypopigmentation of the entire body, partial - in insufficient pigmentation of individual areas, incomplete involves hypopigmentation of the hairline and iris of the eyes;
phenylketonuria is a hereditary disorder of phenylanine metabolism, which leads to the accumulation of the enzyme and its toxic products in tissues and severe damage to the central nervous system, including idiocy. As a result of the disease, there is a failure in the production of tyrosine, which is metabolically linked to phenylanine, and this, in turn, affects the reduction in melanin synthesis;
Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disease that is expressed in the development of tuberous tumors - benign tumors throughout the body. Multisystem disorders also manifest themselves in the form of thickened pigment spots on the hands and face;
Vitiligo is the most unstudied disease that affects the epidermis. The cause may be malfunctions of the body, nervous tension, or hereditary predisposition. Appears as areas of white pigmentation on the skin.

Vitiligo or white pigment spots on the skin

Diagnosis and treatment

Despite the apparent harmlessness and prevalence, hypermelanosis conceals a danger - under certain conditions (trauma, excessive exposure to UV radiation) they can provoke melanoma - a malignant tumor, the source of development of which is in melanocytes. Therefore, if pigment spots appear on the face, they must be shown to a specialist who will diagnose hyperpigmentation and prescribe appropriate therapy.

Diagnostic methods include:

visual inspection and palpation;
collecting anamnesis of the patient and his relatives;
dermoscopy: examination of a spot using a dermatoscope - a device that repeatedly magnifies and details the area under study;
computer diagnostics, in which the device studies the condition of the skin and automatically compares it with the reference;
histology: the study of a section of tissue.

Depending on the diagnosis, hypermelanosis can be treated or removed. Disposal methods include

Do you work in the beauty industry?.

DNA damage

In those forms of pigmentation that are caused by DNA damage, violations of cellular memory lead to the fact that new cells are reproduced damaged and turn out to be the same as their predecessors. As with cellular aging of melanocytes, cells with damaged DNA are difficult to treat. However, this problem is easier to prevent.
The main cause of DNA damage is (what would you think?) ultraviolet radiation. However, a genetic predisposition to damage is also common - in the form of the presence of the Mc1r gene (red hair gene). This gene is more sensitive than others to the effects of free radicals, so preventive measures are extremely important.

To correct this type of pigmentation, a triple action can be taken: antioxidants (for prevention), vitamin A (for damaged DNA) and tyrosinase inhibitors (to slow down melanin production).

Pigmentation as a consequence of hormonal imbalance

This type of pigmentation is caused by melanocytes receiving chemical signals that stimulate melanogenesis.

In this case, the pituitary gland is influenced by pregnancy or increased drug intake, which causes a prolonged flow of melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH, melanotropin). Melanocytes receive excess MSH and continuously produce pigment-containing melanosomes, not knowing when to stop.

Less than one minimum erythemal dose of ultraviolet irradiation is required to provoke the flow of hormones.

In cases of hormonal imbalance, incorrect signals can cause overactive melanin production by melanocytes, creating a characteristic butterfly-shaped pigmentation lesion.

In this situation, the only solution to the problem with a long-lasting effect is to counteract the signals that cause cells to produce excess melanin. As soon as the work of melanocytes normalizes, the pigment becomes less noticeable. The first stage of stopping the “chemical waterfall” occurs when the cause of the failure disappears, that is, the medication is stopped or the pregnancy ends.

Techniques that chemically interrupt the chain of instructions for the production of melanosomes are the best solution in this situation. Tyrosinase inhibitors play an important role in the volume of melanosome production.

Essential fatty acid deficiency (dendritic shortening)

Forms of pigmentation caused by cellular starvation are easier to treat. Typical development: due to a lack of essential fatty acids, melanocyte dendrites become shorter and lose flexibility.

Shortening of dendrites leads to disruption of melanin transport to keratinocytes. Even if melanocytes produce the required amount of melanin, its distribution is severely limited.
This causes melanin to be deposited in close proximity to the melanocyte instead of being more evenly distributed among the thirty or so surrounding keratinocytes. A typical consequence is darkening of the skin. The size of the darkening zone varies from a small spot to larger areas, depending on the condition of the melanocytes.

Cosmetologists should be well aware that essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential for the health of dendritic cells. And since EFAs are not produced by the body during metabolism, their supply must be ensured through topical application or presence in consumed foods and nutritional supplements.

It is clear that in this case, pigmentation will respond better to treatment methods based on following an appropriate diet and taking nutritional supplements, and EFAs should be included in the preparatory stage of treatment of pigmentation of any type. In this case, we take steps to normalize the behavior of melanocytes, thereby providing a long-term solution to the problem.

A typical example of pigmentation,
caused by EFA deficiency

Epidermis structure

Another factor that, like shortened dendrites, causes melanin deposition is the thickness of the stratum spinosum of the epidermis. The stratum spinosum is the thickest zone of the epidermis. In Caucasian people, it is in this layer that the most active interaction between keratinocytes and melanocytes occurs. If the stratum spinosum becomes depleted, the area where melanin deposition occurs is consequently reduced and uneven pigment distribution may occur.

This situation needs to be approached comprehensively and before starting a treatment program, focus on increasing the number of keratinocytes and the thickness of the epidermis.

Keratinocyte stem cells

Keratinocytes- these are hydrophobic cells that make up 80% of all epidermal cells. The supply of these cells is almost endless because keratinocyte stem cells lie deep in the epidermal strands and around the thickening of the hair follicle near the attachment of the hair muscle.
A recent study notes that melanocytes can affect keratinocyte stem cells. In this situation, the melanocyte can shed pigment-containing melanosomes onto the keratinocyte stem cell source, and if this happens, the stem cell becomes pigmented before it enters the basal layer of the epidermis. Traveling through the spinous layer, the keratinocyte receives additional pigment - that is, it ultimately receives a double dose. Another place where melanosome deposition occurs is at the boundary between the dermis and epidermis.

Obviously, treatments other than tyrosinase inhibitors will not have a significant effect in this case.

The main source of problems is again the habit of melanocytes to deposit melanin, so an effective approach to treatment should be to slow down the formation of new portions of pigment. Attempts to deal with already deposited melanin will, at best, give incomplete and short-term results.

conclusions

We have identified the following main causes of pigmentation:

Cellular senescence associated with cell age

DNA damage caused by free radicals and the Mc1r gene

Shortening of dendrites and damage to cell membranes as a consequence of EFA deficiency

Insufficient thickness of the spinous layer of the epidermis

However, knowing the cause of pigmentation does not provide a complete answer to the question of treatment. When treatment begins, understanding what is happening to the cells will help ensure that the correct technique is chosen (if the specific disease will respond positively to the chosen treatment). When studying pigmentation, the process of the emergence of new cells and the role of stem cells become clear, which should be taken into account when searching for the causes of the disease.

Treatment options

Effective treatments include:

Use of tyrosinase inhibitors
UV blockers
Antioxidants
Inhibition of melanosome maturation
Denaturation of melanin granules
Slowing intercellular communication
Forced exfoliation
Increasing the content of independent fatty acids in the skin

Understanding the causes of pigmentation leads us to the inevitable conclusion that there is no single solution, and a treatment program may require the use of all of these methods to achieve any result.

Before drawing up a treatment program, it is important to analyze the skin condition and interview the patient. The result of the analysis, which determines the cause of pigmentation and its effect on the cells and systems of the skin, the client’s skin type and its Fitzpatrick phototype, the client’s age and lifestyle - this is what dictates the treatment protocols, which must always be followed. The approach must be differentiated: what suits one client may not suit another.

It also requires the client to understand that without their input into lifestyle changes, self-care and salon treatments, long-term improvement cannot be achieved.

The following sequence of preparation and treatment produces the best long-term results because it meets the specific needs of all affected cells and systems.

Preparatory phase: restoration of the melanocyte cell membrane (home care for at least two weeks)

Cream-gels based on antioxidants, with protection from ultraviolet rays.
Omega-3 fatty acids, 3000 mg daily. Vitamin C, 1000 mg/day and a cream based on magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate - to prepare the skin and allow it to get used to vitamin C.

Preparatory phase: first procedure (preparing the skin for the penetration of active substances)

Light peeling at the level of the stratum corneum with lactic acid or microdermabrasion. Suitable for all Fitzpatrick skin types. Lactic acid does not cause inflammatory reactions and has a moisturizing effect. There are many peeling acid mixtures available today. Do not forget that this is a preparatory phase of treatment, and not a solution to the problem. Depending on the condition of the skin, it may be necessary to repeat the course several times.

Preparatory phase: after exfoliation, home care should be strengthened

We introduce vitamin A-based creams and continue to use vitamin C-based creams or serums with antioxidants and UV protection. We continue taking nutritional supplements.

Treatment phase: primary treatment (course of at least 10 procedures)

A skin lightening program of your choice, containing tyrosinase inhibitors, antioxidants and vitamin A. Very effective in the fight against pigmentation.