2023-08-24 09:50:09
The origin of the stains It could be summarized very schematically by saying that they can be produced through two mechanisms. For an increase or smelanin synthesis or for one proliferation or multiplication of melanocytes, cells responsible for the production of melanin. Melanin is the natural substance that gives color to the skin, hair or the iris of the eye, and that also helps to protect the skin from the sun.
As explained by Dr. Ignacio Sánchez-Carpintero Abad, dermatologist of the Laser and Vascular Malformations Unit of the Ruber International Hospital and of International Dermatological Clinic (CDI), the skins that have a greater tendency to develop the spots are clear, known as low phototypes, but can be seen on all skin types including blacks. “They are also seen more frequently in people who live in areas where there is greater exposure to solar radiation,” he says.
exist many kinds of stains, some of them congenital or genetically determined, “such as the” café au lait spots “that we see from birth or in the first years of life,” says the dermatologist. Another type of stain are moles, sometimes large, known as melanocytic nevus. “These can appear at birth or they can be acquired and develop throughout life, usually in the first decades,” says Dr. Sánchez-Carpintero.
This expert specifies that in the dermatological consultation they are a very frequent reason to see two types of spots: solar lentigines and melasma. «Solar lentigines are usually circular spots, less than one centimeter in size, with a brown hue, distributed in sun-exposed areas such as the face or the back of the hands. They usually appear after the age of 40. On the other hand, the melasma is another type of stain (commonly known as cloth) that appears on the face of women of childbearing age. They are usually large diffuse brown spots, symmetrically distributed affecting the cheeks, central or lateral area of the forehead and skin of the upper lip. These spots typically appear in connection with hormonal changes, during pregnancy or in patients taking contraceptives », he emphasizes.
Dr. Ignacio Sánchez-Carpintero Abad, indicates that another stain that should be mentioned are the seborrheic keratoses. According to the specialist at Hospital Ruber Internacional and CDI, these lesions, unlike solar lentigines, are usually raised. “They must be distinguished from lentigines, nevus or moles and can even be confused with malignant tumors such as melanoma or pigmented basal cell carcinomas”, explains the doctor.
They must be distinguished from lentigines, nevus or moles and can even be confused with malignant tumors such as melanoma or pigmented basal cell carcinoma.
Ignacio Sánchez-Carpintero Abad
Laser and Vascular Malformations Unit of the Ruber Internacional Hospital and International Dermatology Clinic (CDI)
The consulting dermatologist assesses these spots with a dermatoscopio that clinically allows to perform a more accurate diagnosis and therefore apply the appropriate treatment afterwards.
According to Dr. Sánchez-Carpintero, to prevent the appearance of certain types of stains, such as lentigines or melasma, the means can be put for it. “The most important of all is to avoid sun exposure. Both solar lentigines and melasma are closely related to this triggering factor. The continuous and repeated use of photoprotectors is also one of the recommendations that dermatologists make to prevent the appearance of these common spots.
How to remove stains
The application of creams, in the case of solar lentigines, it has a limited effectiveness and they can barely be cleared up. On the contrary, in the case of melasma, a better response can be seen with the application of cosmetic products that contain compounds with a direct or indirect depigmenting effect or action, such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, azeilaco acid, tranexamic and retinoic acid.
The dermatologist recommends that the application schedule will depend on the type of stain in question. «In many cases, to obtain a greater therapeutic response, it is necessary to apply a cream that combines several of the aforementioned compounds. The frequency The application will depend on the concentration of the compound, the degree of skin tolerance or the type of stain”, says the doctor.
Dr. Ignacio Sánchez-Carpintero Abad H. RUBER INTERNATIONAL
But when cosmetics do not give the desired results, there are effective systems such as laser devicesQ-Switched, o la intense pulsed light or IPL, or the low power thulium laser, among others, which act on the superficial skin layers. «Laser treatment, for example, in the case of solar lentigines is very effective and it is usually possible to eliminate them with two or three sessions. It is a very well-tolerated outpatient treatment, which therefore does not require anesthesia”, the doctor points out.
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