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Derma Lab - Dark Spots

Type	Primary Cause	Description
Sunspots (Solar Lentigines)	Sun Exposure	Flat, usually oval, tan to dark brown spots from long-term sun exposure.
Age spots	Cumulative Sun Damage (UV) + Age	Same as sunspots; flat, dark spots appearing on sun-exposed areas with age.
Melasma	Hormonal Changes	Symmetrical, patchy darkening on the face, triggered by hormones (e.g., pregnancy).
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)	Skin Trauma/Inflammation	Dark marks left after skin heals from any injury or inflammatory event.
Freckles	Genetics + Sun Exposure	Small, flat, reddish-brown spots that often lighten in winter.
Friction Hyperpigmentation	Chronic Rubbing/Chafing	Darkened patches in areas of repeated friction (e.g., inner thighs, underarms).

Darkened Patches or Spots: The main symptom is skin patches that are darker than the surrounding skin.
Color Range: Spots can range from light brown or tan to black, red, or gray, depending on the cause and your natural skin tone.
Location: Can appear anywhere, but most commonly on sun-exposed areas (face, hands, chest) or sites of previous inflammation (acne scars or injuries).
Texture: The darkened areas are typically flat and do not change the texture of the skin.

✅ DOs	❌ DON'Ts
Wear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen (SPF 30+) every single day, indoors and outdoors. This is the most critical step.	DO NOT skip sunscreen for even a short time. Sun exposure is the #1 cause of hyperpigmentation and will undo all treatment progress.
Reapply Sunscreen every two hours when in direct sunlight or sweating heavily.	Avoid picking or scratching at acne, scabs, or insect bites. Any trauma/inflammation will result in a PIH mark.
Wear protective clothing (wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses) when outdoors, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.	Do not use harsh or abrasive physical scrubs that can irritate the skin, as this inflammation can also trigger PIH.
Be patient and consistent. Fading dark spots takes time, often 6–12 months of consistent use of active ingredients.	Avoid excessive heat (like saunas, steam rooms) if you have Melasma, as heat can also trigger pigment production.