We try to take care of our body, its internal organs. But for some reason we often forget about the largest organ of our body - about the skin, which no less needs care.
The delicate skin of the face, for example, without receiving proper attention, is very suffering and can become problematic. Among the skin troubles and diseases is such a thing as spots on the face. What are they, why do they appear and how to deal with them?
What are the spots
You need to start with what may be spots on the face. There are two options: either they are pigmented or red. Both this and the other case have their own reasons for their appearance, their own methods of treatment and prevention.
Dark spots
What are age spots? These are darkened areas of the skin that suddenly acquire a brownish tint. Some believe that age spots are a consequence of advancing old age. But this is a fallacy. Such spots can appear at any age - both at 18 and 55 years old. The reason is not at all in old age, although indeed pigmentation is most often found in middle-aged women.
Pigment spots, like moles and freckles, owe their formation to excessive accumulation of melanin. If this pigment accumulates in the upper layers of the skin - the epidermis - lighter and smaller spots are formed: either moles or freckles. If the accumulation of melanin occurred in the deeper layers, pigment spots appear here.
Reasons for the appearance
What are the causes of spots on the face, and not only on it? What contributes to the increased production of melanin?
Reasons for pigmentation is actually a lot. Far from the last role, for example, a hereditary factor plays a role - in this case, spots on the face and body are already noticeable in newborn babies (by the way, cases of redness in children and what to do with it will be discussed separately). Pigmentation can also occur as a result of hormonal changes in the body, for example, during or after pregnancy, during menstruation, or as a result of any disease that causes the hormonal process to be disturbed.
Often the causes of spots on the face are skin injuries, for example, severe forms of acne, burns, unsuccessful peels and so on. And since the skin on the face is the thinnest and most delicate, it is often due to the appearance of age spots in the sun for a long time. People with a predisposition to pigmentation (fair-skinned, elderly, freckled, and the like) should generally avoid exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Another reason is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Failures in the work of the kidneys, liver, intestines, gall bladder - all this can very easily lead to the appearance of age spots. As well as nervous overloads, constant fatigue, stress, and disorders only contribute to skin problems throughout the body, and especially on the face, because, as already mentioned, it is the most tender, and therefore the most vulnerable.
In addition, spots on the face (photo below) may appear as a result of a lack of minerals and / or vitamin C in the body (by the way, this reason is very common). In some cases, skin pigmentation is a reaction of the body to taking medications, in particular antibiotics. May be the result of an allergy to any cosmetics. And finally, another very common reason is the onset of old age.
Brown spots on the face: how to remove
The theory is good, but if spots have already appeared, what to do? Is there any way to deal with them, or will I have to walk like this all my life now? Of course, it is possible, and even necessary, to fight, because, in spite of the fact that in themselves such spots of danger do not carry any danger, they are not pleasant enough to see them on your skin.
So, in the case of a hereditary skin disease, age spots, unfortunately, can only be removed surgically - a laser operation is performed, for example. If hormonal diseases have brought them to life, it is necessary to treat this disease first, most likely after its disappearance pigment spots will also pass, since the hormonal background of the body stabilizes.
But in the case of hormonal changes, as well as with a lack of vitamins, with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or taking medications, no special treatment is required. The age spots will disappear as soon as the cause of their appearance is eliminated - let's say, the lack of useful elements in the body is compensated.
It must be remembered that a cosmetologist should determine the method for treating age spots. Consultation with narrow specialists: a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist or even a therapist, will also help. In the course of a properly selected treatment, it can be expected that the spots on the face will either disappear or become so pale that eliminating them then will not be difficult.
Treatment methods for age spots
Treatment of spots on the face is possible in several ways. For example, bleaching. This procedure is carried out using a special zinc paste, hydrogen peroxide or cream with an admixture of mercury (the latter is forbidden to be used by expectant and nursing mothers, and everyone else can use it very, very briefly).
A variety of cosmetic procedures, which are also a means of combating age spots, include laser treatment. It has already been mentioned above. Laser beams remove the upper layer of the skin, as a result of which it is updated. This method, although effective, is very painful. Those who decide to undergo such treatment (or rather, to whom the doctor will recommend it), it is best to carry it out in the cold season, because in winter there are fewer sunlight, and they will need to be very careful after laser cleaning.
Another cosmetic procedure is peeling. It can be both ultrasonic and chemical. Thanks to peeling, the skin is renewed, the stain disappears. This type of procedure has a rather large number of contraindications (however, as with any surgical procedures). In addition, you can resort to phototherapy - treatment with light pulses.
In addition to whitening and cosmetic procedures, special creams can be used to remove age spots. However, it is important to remember that the use of such funds is permissible only after consultation and permission of the doctor, since the self-appointment and excessive use of these creams can lead to an increase, and not to the disappearance of spots.
And finally, another method of combating age spots is folk remedies - masks and lotions. These include:
- fresh cucumber mask
- parsley lotion
- mask of lemon juice and yeast,
- protein mask
- milk and vodka lotion, etc.
The advantage of these products is their gentle effect on the skin of the face, however, they can cause allergies, therefore, in order not to make things worse, it is better to experiment with a new product on a small area of ​​the skin and look at the reaction.
How to prevent stains
There is one simple rule: so that you do not have to treat it later, you just need not to bring it to a sore. Proper nutrition, vitamin C intake in the spring, sunscreens, periodic visits to specialist specialists to monitor your well-being - and no age spots will be scary. It is also important not to self-medicate, so as not to aggravate the problem.
Red spots: causes
Red spots are a completely different story. Before figuring out how to get rid of spots on the face, you should understand what they appear from. As well as pigmented, red ones are able to strew the skin of both the face and body at absolutely any age. And there are a million reasons for that.
Firstly, vitamin deficiency, especially in spring and autumn. Secondly, malnutrition: our skin, especially on the face, is a projection of our stomach. What is inside, then outside, and about any malfunctions in the work, our body signals us with the help of the skin. So often it’s enough just to reconsider your diet and stop “shoving” innumerable hamburgers and chocolates.
Another factor is an allergic reaction. For cosmetics, dust, animals, plants, food - no matter what. The main thing is that all this is reflected by spots on the face. Skin diseases can also provoke redness, lead to acne and, as in the case of increased pigmentation, hormonal changes.
Red spots on the face can be a skin reaction to severe frost, for example, in winter, as well as to cold or hot water when washing. They can lead to them diseases of the cardiovascular system or digestive tract, high blood pressure, as well as the most common herpes.
Unsuccessful cleansing of the face, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, genetics, dehydration, dry skin, overstrain, both physical and mental, stress - these and many other factors also affect the appearance of red spots on the face. It is believed that often the skin turns red due to a rush of blood. The cause of this may be stress or a drop in temperature conditions.
Additional signs
Sometimes it happens that spots appeared on the face, and that’s all. And sometimes this is accompanied by some other symptoms, by which you can determine what exactly happened to the body, what he is trying to say.
So, if the appeared red spots hurt, most likely it is lichen. If the spots on the face are flaky, then the cause of their occurrence is exposure to the skin of the cold or sunlight. When scabies is also added to peeling, it is worth going to a dermatologist for an examination. If the spot on the face itches, the face itself is swollen, sneezing has appeared, perhaps water is pouring from the nose - this is nothing more than an allergy.
With severe frostbite, the redness will not be pure red, but red-white. If the spots on the face are rough to the touch, most likely the body does not have enough water. If they seem to get wet, it's eczema. The latter should be taken with the greatest seriousness, since eczema is a rather dangerous and unpleasant disease. If it is not treated on time, it will begin to rot.
By the way, flaky spots on the face can also reflect serious diseases in the body - they can be the result of a fungal infection or HIV infection.
How to deal with red spots
It is not always necessary to resort to their treatment to eliminate red spots. Sometimes it’s enough just to start looking after your skin differently. For example, you can change cosmetics, moisturize your skin, make masks if necessary, and the like. It’s also worth changing your lifestyle: stop smoking, stop abusing alcohol, start eating fully and correctly, include vitamins in your diet, and go in for sports. You need to try to arrange your life in such a way as to minimize the likely stresses and physical exertion.
However, if treatment is necessary, in no case should you do it yourself. If such irritants have appeared, and their pathogen cannot be eliminated without medication, you should definitely contact a specialist - a dermatologist, who will tell you the correct treatment.
To eliminate red spots on the face after consulting a doctor, you can use a variety of creams, multivitamin complexes, injections, sedatives or antihistamines, special ointments, vitamin masks, clay therapy, massage, exposure to current or cold.
There is a method for each, depending on the cause and severity of the disease. Of course, in the case of the elimination of red spots, it is permissible to resort to various folk remedies. It can be masks: honey, oatmeal, cucumber or tinctures, decoctions and the like.
Problems in children
What to do if spots on the face of a child? Parents immediately sound the alarm. And they’re doing it right, because in case of health issues the baby does not need to self-medicate. You should immediately consult a doctor, and let the excitement be in vain, the reason is ridiculous, let you be considered an alarmist, but, as they say: "God saves you safe."
So, red spots on the face of a baby can appear for various reasons. For example, due to birth injury or allergies, after an insect bite or as a result of a disease, due to a malfunction of any organs or due to a change in climate. In infants, red spots can be especially pronounced at a time when the baby is crying or screaming. Redness does not need to be treated, they pass without a trace, as soon as the little one calms down.
But if red spots on the face appeared due to some kind of infectious disease: rubella, chickenpox, measles and the like - then you should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will be able to choose the right treatment.
Red spots on the baby's face can be a reaction to cold and sun. They can also indicate internal diseases or a consequence of overheating. Often the face turns red and goes stained with strong excitement, fear, overwork.
By and large, the causes of this unpleasant phenomenon are the same in both adults and babies. You just need to remember that children's skin is much more tender and sensitive than in adults. Therefore, it can respond to any pathogens a hundred times stronger.
Often, such redness passes on its own, but you need to immediately call doctors in the following cases:
- if the appearance of red spots on the face is accompanied by blueness of the skin, lips, nails;
- there was a sharp chest pain, became frequent and / or breathing became difficult;
- swelling near the eyes, lips, or throat.
All these are signs of serious diseases, the treatment of which should not be delayed.
Interesting facts about the skin
- The "area" of human skin is approximately two square meters.
- Human skin is renewed every twenty eight days.
- Old epidermal cells die faster in children than in adults. That is why the skin color of babies is so pure and pink.
- The epidermis becomes paler with the disease.
- Moles on human skin appear at birth. But freckles - only after sun exposure.
- The weight of the epidermis is almost sixteen percent of the total weight of the whole body.
- On the eyelids is the thinnest skin. Its layer is not more than 5/100 mm.
- With age, the skin becomes drier and less elastic.
- The so-called goosebumps, periodically running through our body, are the result of muscle strain.
- The skin of narwhals of vitamin C contains about the same amount as in an orange.
- Tigers also have striped skin, and these stripes are unique - just like human fingerprints.
- Excessive use of hot water leads to the washing off of oils from the body, as a result of which the epidermis becomes dry, itchy and rough.
One way or another, in some cases it is quite possible to eliminate red and age spots on the face at home. But abuse self-medication and neglect their own health, and even more so the health of children, is still not worth it.