The colour of our skin is down to its pigmentation, caused by a substance in our skin called melanin. UV light from sunshine or tanning beds causes the melanocytes in our skin to produce melanin to try to protect it from the effects of UV radiation.
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the body produces more melanin than normal, resulting in darker patches of skin. This can occur regardless of our skin colour.
Age spots
Age spots are also known as liver spots, sun spots or solar lentigines. They're more common in individuals aged over 50, particularly if they have light skin and spend a lot of time in the sun or on tanning beds.
Age spots will usually occur on areas of the body that are most exposed to UV light, such as the hands, shoulders, arms and face. They are black, brown or grey patches that are flat, with a similar texture to the surrounding skin, and they should be painless.
Some people panic when they see an age spot and believe it may be cancerous. It's not, but it can make skin cancer more difficult to diagnose. If you're unsure about a mark on your skin, particularly if it is itchy, painful or changing shape, you should always see a doctor. They can either immediately put your mind at rest by identifying the spot as harmless or arrange a simple biopsy.
Melasma is the term for painless patches of freckle-like spots on the face, forearms and any other areas regularly exposed to the sun.
90% of melasma cases occur in women. This is primarily because the condition can be triggered by hormones, particularly in pregnancy. Not surprisingly, then, it's most common in women between the ages of 20 to 40. Sometimes the condition vanishes after pregnancy, but in other cases it can last a few months afterwards. For a few people, however, melasma never goes away.
If you suffer from persistent melasma, you may want to do something to reduce its appearance. Microneedling can help.
At the start of your microneedling session, a numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area. Then, a device equipped with fine needles (around 0.5mm–1mm long) will be moved over the affected areas of the skin.
This process makes tiny punctures in the skin's surface. In response, your skin quickly begins the healing process, which includes the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen is the skin's scaffolding protein, giving it structure, plumpness and firmness, while elastin gives the skin its ability to stretch and 'bounce back' into its resting position.
Microneedling treatments are usually given four to six weeks apart. Your skin may be a little inflamed or bruised after treatment, but this shouldn't last more than a few days. Ensuring you are well-hydrated in the days leading up to your session will help to reduce these side-effects. After each treatment, you should avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise for a few days to allow your skin to heal.
Microneedling is a safe and effective treatment for age spots and melasma. However, if these blemishes are over an area of keloid scarring (raised, bubbled scars), then microneedling isn't recommended, as this scarring is formed from a build-up of collagen. It's also not recommended if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis. If you have rosacea, seek professional advice first. The suitability of microneedling for your condition may depend on the type of rosacea you have and what triggers it.
If you are pregnant or immunocompromised, or take anticoagulants (blood-thinning medication), microneedling should be avoided.
You may need a few sessions to see a difference. However, the end result—noticeable fading of your melasma or age spots, and a new, smoother, fresher layer of skin—will be worth the wait.
Further reading
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