4 Common Causes Of Skin Discoloration

Are you concerned about skin discoloration? You’re not alone. Many people suffer from this common skin condition. Skin discoloration is the term used to describe various changes in the color of your skin. While most harmless cases, skin discoloration can sometimes signify a more severe condition. If you’re experiencing skin discoloration, it’s essential to consult with a specialist in skin discoloration in El Paso to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. There are various causes of skin discoloration, and we look at some of them in this article.

1. Sun Exposure

One of the most common causes of skin discoloration is sun exposure. Over time, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause your skin to become darker or lighter in color. This type of skin discoloration is called solar lentigines or “liver spots.” Solar lentigines are usually harmless and don’t require treatment. However, some medicines can lighten the spots if you’re concerned about their appearance.

Another way sun exposure can cause skin discoloration is by triggering an inflammatory response in the skin. This can lead to conditions like melasma, which causes dark patches on the skin, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which causes brown patches after an injury or inflammation.

2. Medications

Some medications can cause skin discoloration. This is most common with oral medications, but it can also occur with topical medications. The most common types of medication-related skin discoloration are called “chloasma” and “erythema multiforme.”

Chloasma is a condition that causes brown patches on the skin, usually on the face. This condition is most commonly seen in women taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.

Erythema multiforme is a condition that causes red and purple patches on the skin. It can be a side effect of many different medications, including antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and chemotherapy drugs.

3. Vascular Problems

Vascular problems are another common cause of skin discoloration. These problems can cause the blood vessels in your skin to become dilated or damaged, leading to conditions like “spider veins” and “port-wine stains.”

Spider veins are small, red, blue, or purple veins that often appear on the legs. They are caused by damaged or dilated blood vessels.

Port-wine stains are birthmarks caused by a dilation of the blood vessels in the skin. They are usually red, purple, or pink and can be pretty significant.

4. Genetics

Some cases of skin discoloration are due to genetics. This means that they are passed down from your parents. Conditions like “albinism” and “melasma” are examples of skin discoloration that can be genetic.

Albinism is a condition that causes a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism have ashen skin and are at increased risk for sunburns.

Melasma is a condition that causes dark patches on the skin, usually on the face. It is most commonly seen in women taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.

In summary, there are many different causes of skin discoloration. If you’re concerned about your skin, it’s essential to consult with a specialist in skin discoloration. They will be able to determine the cause of your skin discoloration and recommend the appropriate treatment.