Pigment spots on the forehead
introduction
Colored irregularities in the skin that are noticeable through dark or light skin areas are called pigment spots.
The most common pigment spots on the forehead include age spots, melasma, freckles and vitiligo.
In contrast to the other pigment spots, vitiligo is a hypopigmentation, i.e. a pigmentation disorder that is associated with light, white spots on the forehead, face or hands. Freckles, age spots and melasma, on the other hand, are hyperpigmentation, i.e. pigment spots that are manifested by dark, multi-pigmented spots.
Pigment spots on the forehead are harmless in themselves, but women in particular often find them annoying and annoying and make them feel less attractive. Using various therapy options, pigment spots on the forehead and face can be easily removed.
Types of pigment spots
The most common pigment spots include count on the forehead next to the widespread "Age spots" and Freckles that too Melasmawhich mainly affects pregnant women.
Pigment disorders associated with discoloration or white coloring of the forehead include Vitiligo.
causes
There are many for pigment spots on the forehead various causes.
The most important are one genetic predisposition to pigment spots, hormonal disorders, cosmetics and Allergies.
From a biological point of view, however, every pigment disorder has its own Dysregulation of the melanocytes underlying. Melanocytes are specialized Skin cellswhose job it is a brownish pigment called melanin, which is what our skin produces UV damage protects.
However, if UV rays have a continuous and damaging effect on us over many decades, one will come after some time Thickening of the epidermis (epidermis) and an increased storage of melanin. This makes the skin look permanently tanned, so hyperpigmented. So a pigmentation disorder has occurred, e.g. as Age spot manifested.
On the other hand, if there is one due to genetic factors decreased activity the melanocytes and thus a reduced storage of melanin, so it comes to Hypopigmentation, so pigment spots with light, white spots.
Symptoms
The most common form of Pigment spots are the Age spots, which are also called Lentigines seniles or Lentigines solar (Sunspots).
As the name suggests, age spots appear mainly in old age; mostly from the age of 40 and almost always from the age of 60. Age spots are typically found on areas of the skin years of sun were exposed, e.g. at the forehead, the Cheeks, the Forearms or on back of Hand. Here they manifest as yellowish to dark brown spots.
Most are Age spots small and round, but can also be irregularly limited and up to a few centimeters in size. Especially irregularly shaped or unevenly colored Age spots need to be examined by a doctor as they often appear behind them black and in rare cases too whiter Skin cancer can hide.
In principle, skin cancer does not develop from an age spot, but it can be very similar to an age spot and thus mask itself. For these reasons, new or changing pigment spots should always be clarified by a doctor.
Even patients with acne and Skin allergies tend to develop pigment spots more often. This is due to their already irritated and irregularly colored skin.
For a long time Sun stays the skin is damaged further and impurities appear as darker spots.
The Melasma is another type of pigment disorder that mainly affects young women childbearing age concerns and through hormonal fluctuations is triggered. This can for example be with a pregnancy be the case or also when taking estrogen-containing preparations again birth control pills or during hormone replacement therapy. (See: Pigment disorders caused by the birth control pill)
Studies have shown that female sex hormones (Estrogen and progesterone), which mainly at a pregnancy be released in high doses, in combination with the sun increase the activity of the melanocytes. This leads to an overactivity of the melanocytes and thus to a Hyperpigmentation, i.e. an increased darkening of the skin.
Typically found at Melasma symmetrically distributed pigment spots on the forehead, temples and cheeks. These spots are usually irregularly shaped and can merge into one another. After the pregnancy or after you stop taking the medication, the pigment spots may decrease.
However, in some cases, the melasma can stay forever.
A form of to bright pigment disorders is the Vitiligo. This is a common genetic disorder that already affects children and adolescents and is often associated with other autoimmune diseases such as the Graves disease or that Addison's disease is associated. Due to a genetic defect, there are single or scattered light to white spots (Hypopigmentation) the skin, which can be irregularly shaped and spread over the entire body. Therapy of choice one Vitiligo is the Photo or light therapywhich lead to improvements in 70%.
Diagnosis
Because behind every pigment spot on the forehead, too Skin cancer can hide it, it is important to have it examined by a dermatologist.
Usually a simple examination with one is sufficient for this Dermatoscope. In special or difficult cases, a Tissue sample taken from the pigment disorder, which is then examined under a microscope for suspicious cells.
therapy
In itself, pigment spots on the forehead are harmless and need to be no therapy.
However, since many of those affected especially womenOften suffering from the cosmetic consequences of pigment spots, there are many different ways to get pigment spots these days hide or to remove. For one, there are special ones Camouflage creamsthat help cover dark spots or Whitening creams, with which one can lighten dark pigment disorders.
Another possibility would be special ones Fruit acid peels, with which the upper, heavily pigmented skin layers are attempted to be removed. After a few sessions, this can remove the hyperpigmentation. In the case of very persistent hyperpigmentation (e.g. the Age spots) can also be professionally applied Laser treatments help. These gently remove the top layers of skin in which the hyperpigmentation can be found and make them disappear. However, since laser treatments can always be associated with skin damage, it is important to have them carried out by a specialist.
prophylaxis
As the main cause of Age spots and a Melasma long-term exposure to sunlight, the most important method in the prevention of pigment spots is adequate sun protection from a young age.
It should be done regularly Sunscreen creams with a high sun protection factor and avoid long sunbathing. This is especially true for people with a genetic predisposition for and for pigment disorders Pregnant women to that due to their hormonal change pigment spots are more at risk of developing.
