Surely there is no person who would not like to relax and bask on a sunny beach, but there are times when this becomes the reason that pigment spots appear on the body after tanning.
In order to eliminate this unpleasant symptom as quickly as possible, you can use camouflage cosmetics. But, if white spots appear on the body after tanning and they do not disappear, you need to seek help from a doctor, he will determine the cause of such changes and prescribe an adequate treatment regimen.
We will look into why a tan becomes patchy and how to get rid of white spots on the skin after tanning in this article.
Why do white spots appear after tanning?
The sun's rays alone cannot cause white spots or discoloration of the top layer of skin. However, being in the open sun can cause the manifestation of an already hidden illness. According to the conclusion of dermatologists, white spots may indicate the presence of various abnormalities in the human body:
- White spots on the face that do not tan may appear due to insufficient melanin in the skin. Melanin is a substance on which the color of human skin depends: the more of it, the darker the skin. In addition, melanin protects the skin from ultraviolet rays. In the absence of the proper amount of melanin, the tan turns out to be uneven (hence the white spots).
- Vitiligo disease is the inability of skin cells to reproduce melanin. Active sun can provoke the development of the disease and intensify the nature of the manifestation. People with this disease should be especially careful to avoid sunburn.
- Pityriasis versicolor. The fungus that has infected the skin prevents the penetration of sunlight into the skin, hence the appearance of an uneven tan.
- The cause of white spots may be increased sweating.
- Taking medications. Various medications, including birth control pills, can disrupt the balance and production of melanin.
- Guttate hypomelanosis. It is a genetic disease that causes loss of skin color.
Most often, when white spots appear, a disease such as vitiligo is detected. In modern medicine, the disease is scientifically called leucoderma, which translated from Latin means “white skin color.” According to the latest data, today about 1% of people on the planet suffer from this disease.
Important! The disease is not a congenital disease.
The development of vitiligo occurs in rare cases at an early age. The active phase of the disease is observed during periods of increased solar activity - in spring and summer. The most common causes of vitiligo in humans have been identified:
- disruptions in the body directly related to the autoimmune system;
- genetic predisposition;
- disruptions in the endocrine system and hormonal imbalances;
- damage to the skin after heavy tanning;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- exposure to chemicals on the skin.
In most cases, it is not possible to identify the cause of the appearance of white spots on the skin on your own, so you need to consult a qualified dermatologist. White spots on the skin can appear in both adults and children. If spots appear on your child’s skin, you should immediately consult a pediatrician.
Sun marks - hyperpigmentation
We have figured out the underlying causes of hyperpigmentation. But the main provocateur for the appearance of such spots is sunlight. They cause increased production by the body of cells that are responsible for skin coloring, injecting melanin pigment into it. In fact, its main task is to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. But when there is an excess of it, its protective functions are reduced. Therefore, cosmetologists never tire of repeating how important it is to use sunscreen, especially for fair-skinned and red-haired people. At the same time, it is better for Russians to buy creams or sprays with an SPF of at least 30. But many rely on chance and neglect them and like to sunbathe until black.
Any hyperpigmentation provokes early skin aging and the appearance of deep wrinkles. But this is not even the worst thing - in some cases, pigment spots can degenerate into melanoma.
When to see a doctor
If even a small number of white spots appear on the skin after sunbathing, you should immediately consult a dermatologist. As mentioned above, the cause of uneven color on the skin can be a serious illness.
Comment! Sometimes the cause of spots is psoriasis. Although the pathology is an incurable disease, an integrated approach to treatment makes it possible to maintain remission for a long time. If a disease is detected, the doctor will prescribe a series of tests and draw up a treatment plan.
Why does my tan fade in patches?
By covering an improperly sunbathing person with spots, “the sun is trying to teach a lesson for the future.” If people know why the tan fades in patches, and have experienced it the hard way, then for the next “brown” season they will not only draw up a program for taking ultraviolet procedures, but will also tell their friends and acquaintances about it, because they now know why it fades spots.
And the tan behaves this way because the owner of the body blocked access to melanocytes in these areas, thereby creating an obstacle to the production of melanin, which was actively produced in other places, covering the skin with a “chocolate” tan. Uneven distribution of melanin is the cause of spotting, and fading of spots is already a consequence. It would probably be useful to have some recommendations for those who neglected them before and paid for it:
- start forming a beautiful tan within 5-10 minutes (for the first time it’s enough for the skin to get used to it and “tune in”);
- daily tanning time should be 20-25 minutes, half an hour is the maximum;
- You need to go out into the sun at certain times of the day: in the morning - 9-10 o'clock or after 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Noon is considered the most unfavorable period for contact with the sun, so it is better to spend it in the shade or indoors;
- do not forget about protection from scorching rays with the help of a cream, which should be applied after each bath, even if the instructions say that it is waterproof.
Performing simple manipulations will protect those who forget that a beautiful tan in other cases can cause troubles that can be delayed over time, that is, what seems like an unnoticeable trifle in youth can turn into a problem a few years later. Intense tanning without skin protection leads to dryness and premature aging, therefore, having beautiful velvety skin, you need to remember this and take care of it.
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Diagnostic methods
Most often, to determine the nature of the occurrence of white spots on the skin, a dermatologist performs specific tests. Special research methods are also used:
- laboratory scraping;
- glow with a Wood's lamp.
To determine the presence of a particular disease, you may need to take a general blood test, as well as a blood test for hormones. You should check with your doctor for more detailed information. It is important not to use any products on the skin the day before visiting the doctor, since the application of one or another drug may distort the true picture of the diagnosis.
How to get rid of white spots after sunbathing
You can get rid of sun spots with the help of drug treatment, which in most cases involves the use of drugs internally and the use of external ointments with the active substance. The size and intensity of spots can be reduced through cosmetic procedures, as well as using tinctures and ointments prepared according to folk recipes. When using this or that product, you must first consult with a specialist.
Folk remedies for light spots on the skin after sunbathing
At home, white pigment spots on the body after tanning can be removed only if their appearance is not associated with a skin disease. There are several effective folk recipes for improving skin color and softening the transition.
You can wipe stains with fresh ginger. Some healers recommend fresh cabbage leaves for several hours.
The affected areas can also be lubricated with a mixture that is easy to prepare yourself at home. To do this, mix honey, rice flour, sandalwood powder and turmeric in equal proportions. The mixture should be homogeneous. Apply strictly to the affected areas in a thin layer.
You can restore skin pigment by consuming sesame seeds. Grind the seeds using a blender or coffee grinder and consume 1-2 times a day for 15 days. The intensity of the spots will be reduced significantly.
Homemade masks containing the following ingredients will also help make your skin color more uniform: nuts, kefir, sour cream. A cucumber mask does not so much help remove blemishes as it helps soothe the skin after sunbathing.
Drug treatment for white spots on the skin from the sun
For effective treatment, a dermatologist must carefully collect the results of the examination and only then create a treatment plan. A set of measures aimed at eliminating white spots on the skin may include:
- the use of external ointments containing meladinin;
- ultraviolet irradiation procedure;
- removing stains with laser;
- taking meladonin in tablet form;
- restoration of hormone balance;
- restoration of normal functioning of the endocrine system.
Only a qualified dermatologist can competently draw up a drug treatment plan.
Cosmetic procedures for white spots on the skin after the sun
Modern cosmetology is able to cope with white spots that appear on the skin, however, in order to create a consistent treatment plan, the cosmetologist will need to conduct a thorough diagnosis, because each case of a violation of the uniformity of the skin is individual.
In most cases, a qualified cosmetologist will suggest:
- superficial peeling;
- deep peeling;
- ozone therapy.
Superficial peeling is the use of fruit acids. The purpose of the procedure is to remove dead remnants of the epidermis. Does not require rehabilitation, since there are no deep mechanical damage to the skin. Allows you to eliminate completely new stains.
Deep peeling is also often used to eliminate white spots on the skin after sun exposure. The procedure uses a more intense acid, which is not suitable for those with sensitive skin. During peeling, small damage is formed on the epidermis, so the duration of rehabilitation can reach 7-10 days.
A cosmetologist may also suggest ozone therapy. The procedure is aimed at thoroughly cleansing the skin of dirt and combating harmful microorganisms. White spots from the sun on the face can be removed using a laser or photorejuvenation procedure, but it is important to consult with a specialist before carrying out this procedure. This procedure is quite expensive, but the result is noticeable immediately.
It is not advisable to carry out all the procedures presented in the warm season, since after the procedure the skin must be protected from sunlight. The cosmetologist will also recommend special care designed to even out skin tone. In most cases, such products contain acids, so they should be used in the cold season.
What to do if your tan is patchy
As for diseases that give a “spotty tan,” everything is clear with them, people usually know about them, and if they allow the process to worsen, then they only have themselves to blame. But it happens that the spots appeared in people who were healthy in terms of skin diseases, which most likely extended their exposure to the sun or the time spent in the solarium.
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Much has been written about what time of day is most optimal for receiving ultraviolet treatments, what duration of exposure to the sun once, how many minutes to add daily, and how to deal with the sun for people who have naturally sensitive white skin , which quickly “burns” even in the shade. However, not everyone follows life-tested recommendations and then laments over a ruined tan.
Having received “spotting” after solar procedures, having visited a doctor and making sure that there is no disease, and the troubles happened due to one’s own lack of foresight, one can only wait for nature to restore the natural color over time.
You can even help her with this by using vitamin creams that moisturize and nourish the skin. Hot baths using a hard washcloth can help save the situation a little, rubbing with it you can exfoliate the upper layers of the epidermis.
If there is an urgent need to get rid of “spotting,” then a beauty salon serves this purpose. Specialist cosmetologists using laser and phototherapy will restore the natural color of the skin in just a couple of sessions, although the tan will probably need to be acquired again.
Prevention of white spots on the body after sunbathing
In order to prevent the appearance of white spots on the skin, the following rules should not be neglected:
- You need to sunbathe for a limited amount of time; as you develop a tan, the duration of exposure to the sun’s rays can be increased;
- It is undesirable to sunbathe during peak sun activity, especially for those with fair and sensitive skin. It is important to avoid not only the appearance of white spots, but also to protect yourself from sunstroke;
- It is important to regularly use creams with an SPF factor, and the layer of cream must be renewed throughout the day, as well as after each stay in the water.
It is important to remember to protect the skin of the face and décolleté, as the skin in this area is most vulnerable. When using special protective products, the risk of white spots appearing on the face after tanning is reduced. For each skin type it is important to choose the right level of protection.
To prevent white spots from appearing on your body after sunbathing, it is important to take care of your skin daily. Remove dead cells using a body scrub 1-2 times a week (if the skin is dry, the scrub must certainly contain oil). We must not forget about moisturizing the skin: every day after taking a bath or shower, cream or milk should be evenly applied to the skin.
Skin defects must be treated from the inside
But still, don’t forget about the sun. It ages the skin and increases the risk of melanoma. It also leads to the appearance of unsightly age spots, which are most often associated with old age and unkemptness.
Sun marks on the skin are not only aesthetically unattractive, but also indicate problems in the body. And although pigment spots themselves are not considered a disease, they are a signal that something has gone wrong somewhere inside.
One of the most likely reasons for their appearance is hormonal disorders. For example, thyroid diseases, genital dysfunction, even pregnancy. In addition, hyperpigmentosis can be a symptom of a gynecological disease (primarily endometriosis).
According to dermatovenereologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Maria Shirshakova, an experienced cosmetologist refers women who complain about pigment spots first of all to a gynecologist to rule out possible health problems. After all, any defects on the skin must be treated from the inside.
However, there may be other reasons for the appearance of “sun marks”. For example, some fungal diseases cause such a reaction on the skin. Or, for example, liver pathology (and in this case, alas, you need to prepare for long-term treatment). Acupuncturists always pay attention to the places where age spots appear, noting that they can be used to determine which specific organ is at risk.
Treatment with antibacterial drugs (especially from the tetracycline family) sometimes leads to the appearance of hyperpigmentation. In addition, the skin may react with unsightly brown spots to too intense cosmetic treatments (especially aggressive chemical peels or skin cleansing).
