Pigment spots on the hands: causes and treatment, how to get rid of them at home, cosmetics

Hands act as a kind of “calling card” of a person; they often reveal age much more than the face. The most common problem is specific age spots, which are also called “age rash.” The marks do not look attractive, but it is quite possible to get rid of them if you first visit a dermatologist and find out the true cause of the defect.

Causes of age spots on the hands after 40 years and 50 years

Pigmentation on the hands appears due to the uneven distribution of melanin pigment in skin cells, its excessive (or insufficient) synthesis. Spots can form in people of any gender and age. After 40 years, marks are often one of the signs of natural aging. The body's regeneration and metabolism processes slow down, the production of its own collagen and elastin decreases, and the condition of the skin worsens. Particularly affected are areas of the body that, for the most part, are not protected by clothing and are more exposed to the negative effects of the environment than others.

The appearance of dark spots in both women and men over 50 years of age is considered normal. However, there are a number of factors that contribute to the intensive formation of marks.

The main causes of pigmentation disorders on the hands:

• genetic predisposition;
• endocrine diseases;
• smoking;
• hormonal imbalance (for example, during menopause);
• kidney or liver pathologies;
• prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Age spots are common among bronze tanners;
• avitaminosis;
• injury to the integument;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• use of low-quality creams;
• constant hypothermia;
• a course of taking certain medications (such as retinoids, tetracycline antibiotics, and others);
• gastrointestinal disorders;
• constant contact with harmful chemicals without personal protective equipment.

Pigment spots themselves are not a disease, but can be a sign of certain disorders in the body.

Causes of skin pigmentation

The appearance of spots on the skin may be due to:

• Prolonged exposure to the sun without protective creams.
• Diseases of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract.
• Prolonged stress, neuroses.
• Taking certain medications (antibiotics, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.).
• Working in hazardous production, poor environmental conditions.

Imbalance of sex hormones often causes hyperpigmentation. Pregnancy, menopause, and taking oral contraceptives are the most common of them.

Any disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system (thyroid gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pancreas) can provoke darkening of skin areas on the face, hands, and body.

Vitamin deficiency and seasonal decrease in immunity can cause increased pigmentation.

Spots that appear in pregnant women do not require special treatment and go away on their own.

Types of age spots on hands

Depending on the origin, pigmentation is divided into several types:

• freckles appear on exposed areas of the skin and are caused by a genetic predisposition;
• lentigo - age-related pigment spots of a round shape, brown in color. More often they form on the hands and fingers, in the forearms;
• moles are benign formations. They are not dangerous, but have the ability to become malignant;
• chloasma - marks that appear against the background of hormonal problems;
• keratomas are grayish-yellow scaly plaques. They form on the arms, neck, back, décolleté, and sometimes on other parts of the body. They are recommended to be removed due to the likelihood of degeneration;
• Xanthoma of the eyelids (xanthelasma) is a yellowish-orange dense elastic growth. In most cases, they form in the corners of the eyes of older ladies.

The coloring of hyperpigmented areas is also of great diagnostic importance. So:

• yellow marks appear due to problems with the liver, gall bladder, and lipid metabolism disorders;
• brown formations are a sign of deficiency of vitamins C and PP;
• red rashes are usually not pigmentation, but a symptom of dermatological pathology. Sometimes they occur against the background of diseases of the cardiovascular system.

A separate type of defect is white pigment spots. The most common cause of their appearance is the autoimmune disease vitiligo. It is characterized by the complete disappearance of melanin in some areas of the epidermis, resulting in the formation of depigmented marks with unclear boundaries.

White spots also form when:

• fungal invasion (pathogen type - Malassezia);
• idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis;
• apigmented nevus;
• Lichen alba.

If the marks are caused by a disease, it will not be possible to get rid of them until the underlying pathology is cured (or a stable remission occurs). You can get rid of age-related pigmentation with the help of cosmetics or hardware manipulations.

Cosmetology procedures

You can quickly and effectively remove age spots on your hands in a beauty salon. Cosmetologists do this in several ways.

Here are the most popular of them:

• Laser whitening is recognized as a safe, low-traumatic method of therapy. The beam specifically “burns out” the pigmented layer of the epidermis, and healthy skin of an even shade is formed in its place. Neighboring tissues are not damaged. Several sessions are required to achieve a lasting result, but after the first the marks become significantly lighter;
• Chemical peeling involves exfoliating the surface using a special acid-based composition. The procedures vary in depth of impact. With the help of deep peeling, even dark old spots can be eliminated, but its use is permissible only for medical reasons. This method is not suitable for people with sensitive skin;
• cryotherapy is a procedure for “freezing out” the problematic epidermis with liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of ultra-low temperatures, the top layer of integument dies and is renewed. The disadvantages of the procedure are the duration of the course, complications are possible in the form of loss of sensitivity of the treated area;
• ELOS is a type of laser therapy. At the first stage of manipulation, the deep layers of the dermis are exposed to infrared radiation, which increases the sensitivity of the fibers. On the second - a laser that destroys melanin;
• dermabrasion - grinding of hands with a special device with a rotating head. The skin is pre-treated with an abrasive compound. The procedure stimulates the synthesis of your own collagen, restoration processes are accelerated, pigment does not accumulate, and complexion is evened out.

Attention: all therapeutic measures must be carried out by a qualified cosmetologist in a specialized medical institution. Incorrect selection of substances or device settings can cause serious injury.

When pigmentation is provoked by diseases of internal organs or metabolic disorders, the use of pharmaceutical drugs is required.

Prices

At the initial consultation, the doctor will help you choose the optimal treatment option and calculate the duration of the course. You can make an appointment by phone +7

Drug treatment

Medicines for pigmentation are prescribed by a dermatologist after a complete examination of the patient and establishment of the exact causes of the appearance of a cosmetic defect.

Depending on the identified disease, therapy may include:

• hormonal agents;
• antidiarrheal medications;
• tablets for the treatment of gastritis, stomach ulcers;
• probiotics;
• laxatives;
• diuretics;
• vitamin complexes.

Attention: any medications are allowed to be taken only as prescribed by a doctor!

It is not possible to get rid of pathological pigmentation using cosmetic methods alone. Without normalization of the functioning of the corresponding body systems, the spots will appear again.

How to get rid of age spots on hands at home

When the defect is explained by natural aging processes, you can try to bleach the marks on your hands at home. You should start with lifestyle adjustments. You need to walk more, play sports, get enough sleep, and balance your diet.

To even out your complexion you need to eat more:

• sea ​​fish;
• fruit;
• lean meat;
• vegetables;
• greenery;
• fermented milk products.

It is necessary to limit the consumption of coffee, black tea, smoked foods, fatty and fried foods, sweets, and baked goods. To maintain normal hydrobalance, you need to drink at least two liters of clean water daily.

To quickly remove pigment spots on your hands, it is good to wipe your skin with freshly squeezed kiwi, apricot, papaya juices or low-fat kefir. At night, it is permissible to lubricate problem areas with castor oil, and wash off its remnants in the morning. These ingredients can be used alone or included in combination whitening formulations.

Folk remedies

There are a lot of recipes for removing unwanted marks. Home remedies can be easily made from available products. So, a “homemade” peeling with lemon juice will be an excellent replacement for salon exfoliation with fruit acids. To prepare it, you need to squeeze the liquid out of half a citrus fruit and apply it to clean, dry hands. After a quarter of an hour, rinse them and lubricate the dermis with a nourishing or moisturizing cream.

Compresses with natural whitening ingredients are effective against pigmentation. The following recipes are especially effective:

• stir egg yolk with 1.5 tbsp. alcohol, 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar, 0.5 tbsp. hydroperite. Soak the gauze folded in several layers in the resulting mixture and apply it to your hands for 10 minutes. The procedure can be carried out no more than once a week;
• grate raw peeled potatoes on a fine grater, spread the pulp over the covers, secure with a clean cloth, leave for half an hour;
• Peel the onion, pour a liter of water into it, and boil until half of the moisture has evaporated. Strain the rest. When the broth has cooled, soak gauze in it and apply it to the stains for 30 minutes;
• combine yeast with flour in a 2:1 ratio, dilute with warm milk to the consistency of thick sour cream, wait until the yeast swells, distribute the mixture between your hands, and rinse after 5 minutes.

Such products will not provide an immediate effect, but with regular use they will help to significantly lighten pigmentation, refresh the dermis, free the skin from impurities and dead cells, and provide adequate nutrition to the skin.

Those who do not have time to prepare home remedies, as well as those who want to get faster results, can use special industrially produced creams.

Hand creams

Whitening products are included in the lines of most major cosmetics manufacturers. Good anti-pigmentation hand creams contain quite aggressive components:

• hydroquinone is a toxic substance;
• essential oils;
• vitamin C concentrate;
• AHA acids;
• extracts of medicinal plants.

Effective whitening hand masks

You can speed up the process of getting rid of pigmentation with the help of masks. They serve as a good addition to daily derma care. The ingredients successfully cope with severe peeling and dryness, even out the tone of the skin, and restore the tone of the fibers.

To get rid of age spots on your hands and not harm the epidermis, you need to follow the basic rules for using masks:

• do not carry out procedures more than twice a week;
• pre-wash the application area with soap and use a scrub;
• do not exceed the time the compositions remain on the skin (usually it ranges from 10 to 30 minutes);
• It’s good to wear gloves over the mask;
• remove the remaining mixtures with a napkin or rinse with warm water;
• The process should always be completed by applying a moisturizer.

You can buy good whitening hand masks at a specialty store or make your own.

Parsley anti-pigmentation mask

This herb is one of the most powerful natural "bleaches". Various beauty products are prepared from it.

Here are some popular recipes:

• grind a bunch of parsley into a paste;
• squeeze out the juice of the grass, combine it in equal parts with kefir or yogurt;
• Mix honey and plant extract in a one to one ratio.

How to prepare for laser rejuvenation

Before laser rejuvenation of the hands, as before any other procedure, preparation is necessary.

• A month before laser peeling (even better, two months) begin to intensively protect the skin from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Apply creams with a high degree of protection to your hands. The sanding itself is best done in the autumn-winter period.
• If there are areas of excess pigmentation on the skin, you need to do a chemical peel (based on retinoic or glycolic acids) and use whitening preparations in advance.

• The skin in the laser treatment area should be clean: without pustules or acne, or inflammation. Otherwise, it needs to be treated. To do this, you can take anti-inflammatory medications, use special skin care products, undergo physical procedures, and mechanical peeling. In complex cases, a preventive antibacterial and antiviral course of treatment is required.