A blemish is any type of mark, spot, discoloration, or flaw that appears on the skin. Blemishes on the face may be unsightly and emotionally upsetting, but most are benign and not life-threatening.

8 Common Skin Blemishes: How To Identify & Treat Them

Dark spots on the skin are the most common blemish, being caused by excessive sun exposure over time. This is because the sun’s rays stimulate the production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to the skin, but hormonal changes, medication and other factors act on the melanocytes that give rise to blemishes on the face or body.

Learn how to identify and remove the 8 major types of skin blemish:

1. Dark blemishes on the face

Melasma

Melasma is a dark area that appears on the face, close to the cheekbones and forehead, being very common in pregnancy or menopause because it is closely linked to hormonal changes. In this case these changes irritate melanocytes that leave darker areas on certain parts of the face. These usually appear or worsen when the person is very exposed to the sun.

How to remove: Apply sunscreen daily with maximum protection factor and avoid prolonged sun exposure, as well as heat sources, avoid getting into hot cars parked in the sun or using the oven, for example. In addition, a cream or ointment may be used to lighten the skin. Hydroquinone may be indicated but should not be used for more than 4 weeks. Other options include Vitanol A, cream with acids like Klassis, or adapalene, for example.

2. Blemishes caused by sun exposure

Sun blemishes occur most often in light or dark-skinned people who are very exposed to the sun without sunscreen. The most affected parts of the body are the hands, arms, face and neck, and although they more commonly appear after the age of 40, they may also occur in younger people.

How to remove: The lightest and most superficial ones can be eliminated with exfoliation every 2 weeks. When there is a greater number of blemishes, it is recommended that you go to the dermatologist to be prescribed the most suitable products. This is important because if you have many blemishes of this type, you have a higher risk of skin cancer and in this way the doctor will be able to evaluate if the blemishes have this risk or not. The use of whitening creams may be a good option but aesthetic treatments like laser, pulsed light and peeling also have great results.

3. Red blemishes on the skin

Dermatitis

Dermatitis manifests itself through red blemishes on the skin, may be a consequence of the onset of an allergy, and can cause brown blemishes on the skin that itch and may appear after ingesting allergenic foods, such as shrimp, strawberries or peanuts, after applying products to the skin, such as creams, perfumes or cosmetics, or the skin being in contact with objects, such as bracelets or necklaces.

How to remove: A steroid-based cream may be indicated and should be used twice daily until symptoms subside. It is recommended that you consult a dermatologist to identify the cause of the allergy, so that in the future you can avoid contact with what caused the allergy.

4. Pityriasis versicolor

Mycosis

White spots on the skin, also known as pityriasis versicolor, arise due to an infection caused by a fungus, which causes the appearance of several small whitish spots on the skin. Over time the condition spreads through the skin. Usually the person doesn’t become infected at the beach but, after getting more tanned, the presence of whitish areas can be observed. The cause of the condition is a fungus that lives in human skin and is in a controlled quantity, but when the person’s immune system is compromised, it is common for there to be a greater proliferation of this fungus on the skin, causing the white spots.

How to remove: In this case, it is recommended that you apply an antifungal cream to the skin, 2 times a day, for 3 weeks. When the area that needs treatment is very large, involving all of the back, it may be necessary to take an oral antifungal, such as fluconazole, under medical direction.

5. Blemish or burn caused by lemon

Burn caused by lemon

Phytophotodermatitis is the scientific name for skin lesions caused by lemon. It simply appears if a person is in contact with lemon and soon after is exposed to the sun. The skin reacts and a burn or small dark blemishes in the skin can appear, especially on the hands.

How to remove: It is recommended that you wash the skin thoroughly, apply a cream with hydroquinone 3 to 4 times a day, and avoid using products, such as perfumes or cosmetics, on affected skin. It is also important to always wear sunscreen on the affected area for effective treatment.

6. Diabetes rash

Acanthosis nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans is the scientific name for dark blemishes that appear around the neck, skin folds, underarms and under the breast in people who have insulin resistance or diabetes. However, although it is rarer, this type may also occur in people with cancer.

How to remove: You should consult a dermatologist, who will prescribe whitening creams and identify the cause of acanthosis nigricans. In addition, when it is caused by being overweight, the patient should lose weight because this will facilitate any treatment to standardize the tone of the skin.

7. Vitiligo

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a disease that leads to the appearance of white patches on the skin, especially in places such as the genitals, elbows, knees, face, feet and hands. Vitiligo can appear at any age and its causes are not yet known.

How to remove: It is recommended that you consult a dermatologist to begin appropriate treatment according to each case. Creams that even the skin tone can be used, but the use of sunscreen is essential because fair skin is more likely to develop skin cancer.

8. Blemishes on the face due to acne

Acne

Pimple scar is a very common cause of skin blemishes in young teens, arising mainly after severe acne treatment, for example.

How to remove: A good treatment to even out the tone of the skin is to apply rosehip oil, 2 to 3 times a day to the scar, avoiding exposure to the sun. In addition, it is also important to keep skin oil controlled with anti-acne treatments. When the person no longer presents any blackheads or pimples, treatments to lighten the skin may be prescribed, such as creams with acids, peeling with acids, micro needling and aesthetic treatments like laser or pulsed light.

How to remove blemishes fast

Precautions to follow to increase treatment success

The 4 essential precautions to prevent the appearance of new blemishes on the skin, and to prevent those that already exist from getting even darker, are:

Always wear a sunscreen with a high protection factor before leaving the house;
Moisturize your skin daily, body and face, with creams suitable for each type;
Avoid excessive sun exposure;
Do not squeeze pimples or blackheads, which can leave dark blemishes on the skin.

NB: These precautions should be followed while treating any type of blemish on the skin

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Blemishes: Causes and Remover