Pigment spots

• Genetic factors: Each individual has genes that determine the type of skin and the amount of melanin synthesized.
• Hormonal factors: Hormonal variations during adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal stimulators can cause hyper pigmentation. The cells become hyper-stimulable to light and produce more melanin.
• Too much exposure to the sun: If the skin is not properly protected, the sun’s rays can cause lentigines, also called age spots, to appear on the face, neckline, back of the hands, forearms and even the whole body. This phenomenon does not depend on the age of the individual. Light phototypes, for example, will be more concerned. It should be noted that only 10% of the population is not affected by brown age spots.
• Skin aggression: Injuries, irritation in certain areas, bruises or inflammation can lead to hyperpigmentation, as can a skincare routine that is not suited to your skin.

Pigmentation spots are not medically serious except in very rare cases, but they should be monitored regularly by a dermatologist to observe any suspicious changes in size or color.

Most of the time, pigment spots on the face are mainly a source of aesthetic dislike. Unsightly spots can be treated in aesthetic medicine using several treatments, effective individually or in combination.

There are also different types of hyperpigmentation:

• Lentigos or age spots: They affect both women and men from the age of 40 and appear through the combination of age and sunlight, which is why they appear on areas exposed to the sun. These pigmentary spots have a rounded and flat shape with a brown tint. They tend to darken with time and may be accompanied by white spots. These spots should be monitored regularly to avoid developing into a melanoma.

• The Melasma or pregnancy mask (chloasma): It affects 90% of pregnant women. It is manifested by the appearance of irregular dark shapes that are quite extensive. Melasma also appears in the case of hormonal or contraceptive treatments in women.
  Men can also be affected, especially if they have dark skin and frequent exposure to the sun.There are several types, the epidermal melasma visible on the upper part of the dermis and brown in color, the dermal melasma which is in the deep dermis and is bluish in color, and finally the mixed melasma which is on the surface and deep down with brown-grey spots.

• Post inflammatory pigmentations: They appear after a skin lesion such as a pigmentary spot, acne or scar and are rather common in people with a dark phototype. Pigmentation spots on black skin are very common, caused by the high melanin content of darker phototypes.

• Hyperpigmentation phototoxic:following excessive sun exposure on areas of the body in contact with perfume, or after taking certain medications, brown spots can appear.