Freckles, liver spots, moles, age spots, melasma - all these terms describe pigmentation disorders of the skin. They can be brownish, reddish or ochre in colour and are usually not palpable. Pigment spots usually form on areas of the skin that are particularly exposed to light, such as the face, décolleté or hands. In this blog post, we explain where the spots on the skin come from and what you can do about them.
What are pigment spots?
If the formation of colour pigments in the skin is disturbed, this can lead to a change in the appearance of the skin. This is referred to as pigment disorders, pigment changes or pigment spots.
The pigment cells of the skin are located in the basal cell layer of the epidermis and in the hair follicles. These so-called melanocytes produce melanin, a brownish-black pigment that is responsible for the colour of the skin, hair and even the eyes. At the same time, it protects the skin from UV rays penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin. The pigment therefore also protects the skin from damage. As a rule, the cells supplied with melanin have an even colour. Sometimes, however, there are disturbances - then colour changes in the appearance of the skin can occur: a pigment disorder.
Causes of pigment spots
Pigmentation disorders and pigment spots can have many causes:
- Nutrition (e.g. gluten intolerance)
- Genetic predisposition
- Too much UV radiation
- Hormonal changes (e.g. during pregnancy, so-called pregnancy mask)
- Side effects of the contraceptive pill
- Side effects of medication (e.g. antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, St John's wort preparations)
- Diseases (e.g. infections, insect bites, psoriasis, acne, herpes zoster, syphilis, metabolic disorders, folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency)
Types of pigment changes
Freckles
The small spots on the skin of the face, neck and arms mainly occur in blond or red-haired people. They are congenital or acquired in the course of life. They become particularly visible in the summer months - hence the name freckles.
Melasma
This is an over-pigmentation of the skin that occurs due to hormonal changes, e.g. in women during pregnancy. The pigment spots appear on large areas of the face and are quite dark in colour. In most women, this so-called pregnancy mask disappears again after giving birth. In individual cases, however, the pigment changes can persist.
Age spots
Years of intensive sunbathing can cause age spots to develop as a natural consequence of the skin. They are usually brownish in colour and the size of a lens. Age spots are mainly found on the face, neck, décolleté and hands.
Moles
Liver spots are an accumulation of pigment cells in different layers of the skin. They are usually smooth and recognisable by their dark contours. They usually develop around middle age, but can also be congenital.
Birthmarks
Similar to freckles, moles are congenital or develop in the course of life. The skin spots are usually smooth, roundish and develop regardless of sun exposure or pigment type.
Attention! These spots are generally harmless and are more of a cosmetic-aesthetic problem. However, if age spots, liver spots and moles change, become larger, raised and start to itch, you should definitely have them examined by a dermatologist. Regular skin cancer screening is generally recommended.
Removal of pigment spots with laser
Pigment spot removal WeertIf the pigmentation changes on the skin are harmless and do not bother you, we can effectively remove them using laser treatment. To treat dark pigment spots on the face, hands and body, we use either the KTP laser or the Nd:YAG laser. Similar to laser hair removal, the dark colour of the pigment spot absorbs the light of the laser. The pigment heats up and is removed by the body's immune cells.
Acura Clinic Weert
The Acura clinic in Weert / Netherlands specialises in plastic and aesthetic surgery and focuses on gentle and innovative treatment methods. It is very conveniently located to Germany. The experienced, competent and German-speaking team of doctors and clinic staff will provide you with the best possible care and advice.
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