CFall is here, and now is when we start to see the effects of spending time in the sun this past summer. Have you noticed any spots on your skin over the past few months? If you’ve come across this article, that’s probably the case. Today, I’ll summarize the three most common types of spots and what you can do about them:
Solar lentigo
Lentigines are brown spots of varying sizes, either round or irregularly shaped. They appear in areas that have been exposed to the sun throughout our lives.
They are not harmful in and of themselves, nor do they pose a particular risk of becoming malignant and turning into melanoma. However, they are a sign that the skin where they appear has been damaged by sun exposure. In some cases, lentigines become raised, leading to seborrheic keratoses. There are times when they can closely resemble melanoma; therefore, if you notice any changes, noticeable growth, color alterations, or bleeding, it is important to consult a dermatologist.
Here you can see pictures of solar lentigo
Si te preocupa qué hacer con ellos, los léntigos solares pueden tratarse con láser, luz pulsada o nitrógeno líquido de forma muy sencilla.
Melasma
Melasma is more common in women than in men, because it is often related to pregnancy or the use of birth control. However, in many cases, women who have it are neither pregnant nor taking birth control; the sun is the primary cause, which is why it typically worsens in the summer.
To prevent its onset, it’s extremely important to use a good sunscreen (preferably one that also blocks infrared and visible light). Once the sunny season is over, you can try to improve the condition with depigmenting creams, chemical peels, or, in some cases, certain types of laser treatments. Keep in mind that achieving optimal results is very difficult, but with the arrival of fall and throughout the winter, we can significantly improve the appearance of these spots, so that we can start next summer with clearer skin. At that point, it will again be crucial to take every measure within our power to prevent their recurrence.
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
When the skin becomes inflamed due to a skin condition (such as eczema, lichen, etc.), a burn, a scar, or even a pimple or insect bite, it’s possible that, once the inflammation has healed, that area will remain darker than normal. We call this post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and it’s much more common in people with darker skin.
Here and here you can see more pictures of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
It’s not usually a mark that lasts a lifetime; rather, it tends to fade over time. In any case, it’s important to know that it can last for months or years, and the treatments available to us (creams, lasers) aren’t usually very effective.
In conclusion…
There are many different causes of skin pigmentation after summer sun exposure. In most cases, these conditions can be improved using lasers, chemical peels, or certain skincare products—always in combination with sunscreen. This summary may be helpful, but it’s certainly best to consult your dermatologist so they can advise you on the best option for your specific situation.
