Skin Darkening

Definition

Skin Darkening tends to be a very common problem. The darkening varies from a mild tan to a patchy brownish discoloration or a grayish black discoloration. The causes of skin darkening differ, but the most common cause is an overreaction to the sun. This could be triggered by unsuitable cosmetics like soaps, creams or moisturizers. Ingredients in cosmetics, specifically the perfume component, get deposited on the skin. When your face is exposed to the UV rays of the sun, these ingredients react and the skin develops pigmentation or darkens. At other times, facial pigmentation could be due to oral contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause or a host of other internal disorders.

Do start treatment as soon as you notice your skin beginning to darken, as it takes a very long time to clear. To avoid, clear and treat skin darkening here are some tips:

1. Use a mild soap, preferably with no or very minimum perfume in it, like a glycerine soap or a neutral cleansing bar.
2. Avoid all highly perfumed cosmetics as they tend to increase pigmentation and ultimately darken your skin.
3. Avoid using perfumes. If you have a temptation some times then just spray a little on your clothes not on your body.
4. Use a face wash to clean your face.
5. Use a sunscreen regularly, at least twice a day - morning and evening even if you are at your house or somewhere indoor.
6. You can apply whitening creams, but use these creams manufactured only by reputed cosmetic firms or use creams containing 1-2 per cent hydroquinone or azelaic acid, which is available at any chemist.

After using these above tips if you don't see any improvement within a month, do consult your dermatologist.- it may be that you have some other problem.

Causes of Skin Darkening

• Pregnancy: During pregnancy the melanin level increases in skin hence the skin color gets darker. For some women, especially those who live in cold climates, increased hormone production can cause temporary discoloration or blotchy skin in the legs. This usually disappears after delivery.
• Heredity: People who have a dark skin often have children who are dark-skinned too. The genes seem to pass on from generation to generation.
• Sun Rays: Over exposure to sun causes the skin to tan. This is a natural mechanism. But to protect itself from the harmful UV rays of the sun, the skin produces more of the pigment melanin which shields the penetration of UV rays into the skin.
• Photo Allergens: Chemicals called Photo Allergens can also cause Darkening. Photo Allergens react with light and cause the skin to Darken. Fragrances are top Photo Allergens.
• Genetic factors: The problem of dark skin is hereditary and passes on from generation to generation.
• Hyper Pigmentation: When the skin produces excessive quantities of skin pigment called melanin, it causes the skin to become darker than usual.
• Skin Disorders: Certain skin disorders like Lichen Simplex Chronicus, makes the skin look dark and patchy.
• Over Exposure To Sunrays: Suntan is one of the most common skin problems, in which the skin turns dark due to overexposure to sunrays.

Symptoms of Skin Darkening

1. The skin color may get darker towards black side due to high melanin in skin.
2. Sometimes skin color may become blue. It is called cyanosis.
3. Sometimes skin color may become red or brown.
4. Liver spots or solar lentigines may also appear. These are flat tan-to-brown spots that occur mainly on the face, neck, hands, and forearms. They have nothing to do with the liver. Rather, they develop as a result of aging and sun exposure.
5. Actinic keratosis appears as rough, red or brown scaly patches on the skin, is known as a precancerous condition because it sometimes develops into squamous cell cancer.
6. There is no itching or pain. Just the skin changes its color.

Treatment of Skin Darkening

• Avoid all kings of perfumes which are having perfumes as this problem is due to some kind of perfumes.
• Avoid using deodorants or perfumes especially those which are allergic to your body. If the dark skin is as a result of the pregnancy then no special treatment is recommended. Only care and some restrictions are to be taken.
• Use no soap or mild soap while washing your face or while taking bath.
• Protect yourself from the sun.  This is crucial because exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays intensifies pigment changes.