Dark Spots

• Skin aging
• Excessive exposure to the sun and other ultraviolet (UV) ray forms
• Hormonal fluctuations such as during pregnancy, menopause, birth control pills, hormone therapy and thyroid dysfunction
• Skin trauma such as burns, acne and some aggressive skin care treatments.

• Older than 40 years old
• Fair skin
• Frequent sun exposure and the use of tanners.

There are no health problems associated with dark spots. However, some people may wish to remove them for cosmetic reasons. In such cases, treatment options include:

• Bleaching creams contain hydroquinone, with or without tretinoin.

• Dark spots typically fade over several months and can make the skin more susceptible to UV rays. Therefore, sunscreens are important.

• Other options include medical procedures such as intense pulsed light treatment, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and cryosurgery.

Dark spots are not always preventable. However, some of the ways that can help reduce the chances of getting them include:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun rays are most intense.
• Apply sunscreen daily with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB.
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and more frequently if swimming.