What Helps with Pigment Spots? The Best Tips & Tricks

Many women have pigment spots. But where do they come from? How do you avoid them? And how do you get rid of them? We know the causes and answer the most frequently asked questions about pigmentation spots.

Pigment spots: These are the causes of hyperpigmentation

That our skin turns brown is a protective mechanism of our body. As soon as it comes into contact with UV radiation, the melanin production runs at full speed. This endogenous pigment (skin pigment) protects the skin by converting the rays into heat. Actually very clever!

However, this process in the skin can be disturbed by various factors. Then certain cells (melanocytes) either produce too much melanin, which causes brownish discoloration of the skin (hyperpigmentation). This is because the pigments no longer distribute themselves evenly, but instead clump together. However, it can also happen that too little melanin or no melanin at all is produced in some areas. This so-called depigmentation manifests itself in white patches on the skin.

What external influences can cause pigmentation spots?

If pigment disorders are genetically determined and vary from one skin type to another, such as freckles, or skin diseases such as white spot disease (vitiligo), there is little that can be done about it. However, many pigmentation spots only appear or are intensified by external influences. These include hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or taking the contraceptive pill, high and long exposure to the sun without SPF or photosensitizing medication.

However, the main cause of pigment spots is strong UV exposure – therefore the discoloration occurs primarily in areas that are particularly exposed to the sun, such as the face, décolleté, arms and hands. As the skin as a whole has been increasingly exposed to hormone fluctuations or UV light with increasing age, many people call hyperpigmentation, i.e. dark skin spots, also age spots (according to Lipofuscin). These pigmentation spots occur especially on the hands.

Pigment spots: Are they dangerous?

In the case of hyperpigmentation, a distinction is made between melasma and pigment spots. The former are usually caused by hormone changes and are ochre to light brown discolorations. They are mainly found on the face, upper lip, forehead and cheekbones.

Pigment spots, on the other hand, do not only appear on the face, but also on the décolleté, hands and arms. They are beige to dark brown, sharply defined by the shape and usually have a diameter of only a few millimeters. They are often caused by increased UV radiation and are therefore often seen on fair-skinned, older women. This is also where the term age spots comes from. Not to be confused with liver spots (lat. lentigines). These are usually congenital or appear in young adulthood.

Are they a sign of skin cancer?

Melasma, just like pigment spots, is completely harmless from a medical point of view. Nevertheless, you should have them checked during the annual skin screening. Because UV radiation favors evenly also skin cancer. Liver spots should also undergo annual skin screening, as they can degenerate and become malignant. A regular check and delimitation of liver spots, melasma and pigment spots by a doctor is therefore very important. And: Always apply SPF 30- 50!

This can prevent pigmentation spots

Since hyperpigmentation is usually caused or promoted by sun exposure, a high sun protection SPF is essential, especially for sensitive skin. This is especially true during pregnancy or when taking the pill, as the skin is usually more sensitive and delicate then. One should pay attention not to use sun protection only with increasing age. It is optimal to wear UV protection with anti-aging at a young age, which has been tested for skin compatibility. It makes sense to use a day cream with SPF for example, but also hand creams and body lotions. It is better to avoid the midday sun in summer or vacations to prevent any skin diseases or skin cancer.

How can you get rid of pigmentation spots?

• Creams with a lightening effect: So-called brightening creams (for example ‘Even Brighter’ from Eucerin or La Roche-Posay with the ‘Pigmentclar’ series) help to lighten pigment spots and prevent pigment disorders. The active ingredients contained are able to break down and transport away melanin and inhibit the production of the dye. In order to counteract the pigment disorder, the creams must be applied daily over a longer period of time so that initial results are visible. Whitening creams with vitamin C, mulberry or oleic acid extract can also reduce melanin production. Care and correction pens can be used to specifically conceal pigment spots.
• Chemical peelings: With the help of acids, chemical peelings are used in such a way that the skin underneath becomes irritated and begins to peel. A procedure that should be evaluated and performed by a specialist. Depending on the extent of the pigmentation disorders, several sessions may be necessary. Since the new skin is very sensitive to (light) after this treatment, it is recommended to have chemical peelings performed only in the winter months. Impure skin also benefits from a chemical peeling.

• Laser treatment: Discoloration can also be treated with a laser. It precisely hits the cells that contain too much dye and dissolves them. The dye is then removed by the patient’s own immune system. In this way, the surrounding tissue is protected as much as possible. As with chemical peeling, laser treatment can only be carried out in the winter months so as not to put additional strain on the light-sensitive skin. And: always seek advice from an expert!

For those who prefer to get rid of their pigment spots naturally, we have put together the best home remedies against pigment spots.

This way pigment spots can be covered properly!

In most cases, pigment spots cannot be covered with a conventional foundation. Fortunately, however, there are a few good tips and tricks that can be used to conceal pigmentation problems.

1. Concealer

Normal make-up usually does not completely cover conspicuous skin changes such as pigment spots. If the color tone is too light, the brownish spots shine through grayish and make the complexion look pale. If the make-up is too dark, it quickly looks unnatural. Therefore, it is best to first use a concealer in your own skin tone to specifically paint over the darker spots. Concealer is basically nothing more than a foundation – but with stronger pigmentation and better coverage. Then apply the foundation and blend the transitions well. Some companies have special concealers against pigment spots in their product range. The brownish color of the pigment spot is specifically neutralized by a special coloring. Just as green concealer sticks are also used to conceal redness. By the way, such anti-pigment spot concealers also help with older, brownish scars or dark shadows around the eyes.

2. BB and CC creams

Not very pronounced pigment disorders can be concealed with BB cream or a somewhat more strongly pigmented CC cream. These complexion beautifiers are not as opaque as make-up and therefore appear more natural. In addition, many products have the added value that they contain brightening ingredients. Thus, stains are covered and gradually lightened by regular application. Another advantage is that many creams contain a sun protection factor. Since pigment spots are partly caused by the sun and can become even darker through irradiation, a high sun protection factor is the be-all and end-all in prevention.

3. Camouflage

Really dark pigment disorders can only be treated with camouflage. These products contain a particularly large number of color pigments and are therefore highly opaque. It is best to dab them onto the affected area and then fix the area with powder. Camouflage not only conceals very well, but also very reliably. Due to the high pigmentation it is also waterproof. Thus Camouflage not only withstands sweat during sports but also during a visit to the swimming pool.