According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dark spots or rough patches are one of the main reasons that people with darker skin tones visit a dermatologist. The most likely cause of dark spots in darker skin tones is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which most people simply refer to as “hyperpigmentation.” Hyperpigmentation occurs when something triggers skin to produce more melanin. Treating hyperpigmentation begins with finding the root cause of why these darker spots are occurring. By eliminating the cause, most spots will disappear and new ones will stop appearing.
Common causes for dark spots include:
- Breakouts or psoriasis
- Healing after a wound caused by an insect bite, cut, burn, or other injury
- Certain medications
- Irritation from a skin or hair product
- When hormonal changes might occur, such as during pregnancy
Most dark spots clear up with treatment of their root cause, although it may take up to a few years for some cases to disappear. When this is the case, your dermatologist can help you create a specialized treatment plan to help speed the process along. An over the counter treatment may be recommended. These may contain Azelaic, Glycolic or Kojic acid or using a retinoid which all help fade existing dark spots. However, depending on the severity of the dark spots, your dermatologist may recommend a prescription-strength treatment or a combination of products.
Whatever you do, do not try to treat your dark spots with home-remedies you may find online such as suggestions to apply liquid bleach. The best avenue of getting your skin healthy safely is to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist and follow their recommendations.
Savannah River Dermatology is located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Ga. For appointments, questions, or to find out about available skin care products and prices, our office can be reached at 706-691-7079.
