Face skin turning black
What causes black skin discoloration? Is it treatable?
Skin discoloration can happen on any type of skin. However, it may be more apparent when it occurs on darker skin. Skin conditions, such as acne or eczema, could discolor black skin.
Many treatments can reduce skin discoloration, including laser therapy and chemical peels. Home remedies may include creams that contain vitamin C or retinol.
A person should speak with a dermatologist before trying any sort of treatment. A dermatologist specializes in treating skin conditions and can suggest a product or treatment that is a good match for an individual’s skin type. A person may find a dermatologist directly, or they may receive a referral from their doctor.
Below, we look at the different causes of discoloration on black skin and how to treat it.
Discoloration on dark skin can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- acne
- eczema
- rashes
- infections
- birthmarks
- pigmentation disorders
- skin cancer
Skin discoloration causes skin to look lighter (hypopigmented) or darker (hyperpigmented).
Hyperpigmentation is when the skin becomes highly pigmented and appears darker than usual. This results in dark spots.
Acne, eczema, wound healing, and sun exposure can all cause hyperpigmentation.
A form of hyperpigmentation called melasma typically occurs with hormonal changes. Pregnancy or some types of hormonal birth control could cause melasma.
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is common in dark skin and may develop after an injury or inflammatory response. The resulting dark spots and discoloration sometimes last for years.
With hypopigmentation, the skin loses its pigment and becomes lighter than usual. A person can be born with hypopigmentation or they can acquire it.
Like hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation may occur once a wound heals. It is also much more noticeable on black skin.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes melanin-producing cells to malfunction, leaving some patches of skin lighter than others.
Hypopigmentation from inflammation or infection usually resolves on its own.
However, hypopigmentation from scarring is more difficult to alleviate and people respond differently to vitiligo treatment.
Learn more about vitiligo here.
Causes of discoloration on the face include:
- vitiligo, which can affect any area of the body
- postinflammatory hypopigmentation
- acne
- eczema
- certain medications
- sun damage
- pityriasis rosea, a rash that can affect multiple parts of the body and cause severe itching
- skin cancer
Discoloration of the hands can happen because of:
- vitiligo
- scratching and skin irritation due to eczema or other skin conditions
- burn, cuts, scratches
- sun damage
- pityriasis rosea
- skin cancer
Potential reasons for discoloration on the legs include:
- vitiligo
- scratching from chickenpox or eczema
- scars or cuts due to shaving
- insect bites
- pityriasis rosea
- sun exposure
- skin cancer
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) say that skin-lightening creams can help reduce hyperpigmentation.
However, it is advisable to buy these from a reputable retailer. Some creams may contain toxic ingredients, including mercury. Creams that do not meet stringent manufacturing safety standards may cause rashes, make discoloration worse, and exert other harmful effects on the body.
Before trying any treatment or cream, a person should either contact a dermatologist directly or speak with their doctor. A doctor may treat the condition on their own, or they may refer an individual to a dermatology department.
A person should notice their skin getting better when they stop using products that cause skin irritation and discoloration. However, it can take up to a year for some dark spots to fade.
To alleviate skin discoloration and scarring people may want to use products that contain:
- aloe vera
- vitamin E
- tea tree oil
Therapies that help alleviate skin discoloration include laser therapy and chemical peels.
However, a person may experience some side effects from these treatments.
For example, laser therapy can help reduce dark spots but may produce hypopigmentation around the affected area. It can also worsen hyperpigmentation in some cases.
Learn more about laser therapy for scars here.
If a person notices a sudden patch of discoloration that does not go away, or gets worse, they should speak with a doctor. It is important to talk with a doctor about sudden skin discoloration as it could be a sign of skin cancer.
Similarly, if a person feels self-conscious about skin discoloration, they should talk with a dermatologist. They can suggest treatment options to reduce hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. A person can find a dermatologist directly or seek a referral from their doctor.
In some cases, discoloration is unavoidable.
With acne, wounds, and sunburn, some strategies can help prevent discoloration. These include:
- not picking at the skin
- not popping pimples
- wearing sunscreen daily
- ensuring proper wound care
When a person has eczema, emollients and lotions may help provide relief from itching.
While most skin discoloration is nothing to worry about, in some cases it could be a symptom of skin cancer.
According to the AAD, people of color often receive skin cancer diagnoses when their cancer is at a later stage. Because of this, it is crucial that people of color do regular skin checks.
Addressing the underlying cause of the discoloration may help reduce any future instances of hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. However, in some cases, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation can be permanent, especially if it is present at birth.
If a person has concerns about discoloration on their skin, they should speak with a dermatologist. In many cases, medical treatments may produce better results than at-home remedies. A person can contact a dermatologist directly or receive a referral from their doctor.
Skin discoloration is often harmless and not usually cause for concern. However, a person should speak with their doctor if they notice sudden changes in skin color, or the discoloration is spreading or getting worse.
What causes black skin discoloration? Is it treatable?
Skin discoloration can happen on any type of skin. However, it may be more apparent when it occurs on darker skin. Skin conditions, such as acne or eczema, could discolor black skin.
Many treatments can reduce skin discoloration, including laser therapy and chemical peels. Home remedies may include creams that contain vitamin C or retinol.
A person should speak with a dermatologist before trying any sort of treatment. A dermatologist specializes in treating skin conditions and can suggest a product or treatment that is a good match for an individual’s skin type. A person may find a dermatologist directly, or they may receive a referral from their doctor.
Below, we look at the different causes of discoloration on black skin and how to treat it.
Discoloration on dark skin can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- acne
- eczema
- rashes
- infections
- birthmarks
- pigmentation disorders
- skin cancer
Skin discoloration causes skin to look lighter (hypopigmented) or darker (hyperpigmented).
Hyperpigmentation is when the skin becomes highly pigmented and appears darker than usual. This results in dark spots.
Acne, eczema, wound healing, and sun exposure can all cause hyperpigmentation.
A form of hyperpigmentation called melasma typically occurs with hormonal changes. Pregnancy or some types of hormonal birth control could cause melasma.
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is common in dark skin and may develop after an injury or inflammatory response. The resulting dark spots and discoloration sometimes last for years.
With hypopigmentation, the skin loses its pigment and becomes lighter than usual. A person can be born with hypopigmentation or they can acquire it.
Like hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation may occur once a wound heals. It is also much more noticeable on black skin.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes melanin-producing cells to malfunction, leaving some patches of skin lighter than others.
Hypopigmentation from inflammation or infection usually resolves on its own.
However, hypopigmentation from scarring is more difficult to alleviate and people respond differently to vitiligo treatment.
Learn more about vitiligo here.
Causes of discoloration on the face include:
- vitiligo, which can affect any area of the body
- postinflammatory hypopigmentation
- acne
- eczema
- certain medications
- sun damage
- pityriasis rosea, a rash that can affect multiple parts of the body and cause severe itching
- skin cancer
Discoloration of the hands can happen because of:
- vitiligo
- scratching and skin irritation due to eczema or other skin conditions
- burn, cuts, scratches
- sun damage
- pityriasis rosea
- skin cancer
Potential reasons for discoloration on the legs include:
- vitiligo
- scratching from chickenpox or eczema
- scars or cuts due to shaving
- insect bites
- pityriasis rosea
- sun exposure
- skin cancer
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) say that skin-lightening creams can help reduce hyperpigmentation.
However, it is advisable to buy these from a reputable retailer. Some creams may contain toxic ingredients, including mercury. Creams that do not meet stringent manufacturing safety standards may cause rashes, make discoloration worse, and exert other harmful effects on the body.
Before trying any treatment or cream, a person should either contact a dermatologist directly or speak with their doctor. A doctor may treat the condition on their own, or they may refer an individual to a dermatology department.
A person should notice their skin getting better when they stop using products that cause skin irritation and discoloration. However, it can take up to a year for some dark spots to fade.
To alleviate skin discoloration and scarring people may want to use products that contain:
- aloe vera
- vitamin E
- tea tree oil
Therapies that help alleviate skin discoloration include laser therapy and chemical peels.
However, a person may experience some side effects from these treatments.
For example, laser therapy can help reduce dark spots but may produce hypopigmentation around the affected area. It can also worsen hyperpigmentation in some cases.
Learn more about laser therapy for scars here.
If a person notices a sudden patch of discoloration that does not go away, or gets worse, they should speak with a doctor. It is important to talk with a doctor about sudden skin discoloration as it could be a sign of skin cancer.
Similarly, if a person feels self-conscious about skin discoloration, they should talk with a dermatologist. They can suggest treatment options to reduce hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. A person can find a dermatologist directly or seek a referral from their doctor.
In some cases, discoloration is unavoidable.
With acne, wounds, and sunburn, some strategies can help prevent discoloration. These include:
- not picking at the skin
- not popping pimples
- wearing sunscreen daily
- ensuring proper wound care
When a person has eczema, emollients and lotions may help provide relief from itching.
While most skin discoloration is nothing to worry about, in some cases it could be a symptom of skin cancer.
According to the AAD, people of color often receive skin cancer diagnoses when their cancer is at a later stage. Because of this, it is crucial that people of color do regular skin checks.
Addressing the underlying cause of the discoloration may help reduce any future instances of hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. However, in some cases, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation can be permanent, especially if it is present at birth.
If a person has concerns about discoloration on their skin, they should speak with a dermatologist. In many cases, medical treatments may produce better results than at-home remedies. A person can contact a dermatologist directly or receive a referral from their doctor.
Skin discoloration is often harmless and not usually cause for concern. However, a person should speak with their doctor if they notice sudden changes in skin color, or the discoloration is spreading or getting worse.
Dull (gray) complexion. Diagnostics and treatment in the clinic
A dull complexion looks like an unhealthy grayish skin tone. And there is a similar problem not only in adulthood, but also in young people.
What affects the complexion?
The main reason for is the wrong way of life - little sleep, rest and walks, poor nutrition, bad habits. Usually a dull complexion is combined with the problem of dryness and sensitivity of the skin.
This complexion is typical for residents of megacities: they are characterized by a sedentary lifestyle, lack of fresh air, snacks on the go and late going to bed. As a result of lack of sleep and oxygen starvation, the skin does not have time to recover: the face looks pale and tired, and the process of premature aging starts. Due to malnutrition, the body does not receive enough useful substances: trace elements and vitamins. Physical inactivity leads to a lack of oxygen, which also affects the complexion.
Masking the skin with foundation is not an option, the skin from the tone will not look fresh and radiant.
To improve complexion, you should not only use an arsenal of cosmetic procedures, but also change your lifestyle: you should give up bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle, spend more time in the fresh air, moderate sun consumption has a positive effect on complexion.
How to improve complexion?
Good habits contribute to a good complexion, but by combining them with the achievements of cosmetology, you can achieve the greatest effect and save the result for a long time.
Cosmetic treatments to improve complexion:
- Biorevitalization and mesotherapy are injection techniques that help moisturize the skin and improve complexion. Completed by the course.
- Collost - collagen injections that help tighten the skin and even out complexion.
- Plasma therapy - injections of one's own blood plasma enriched with platelets.
Platelets contribute to the activation of metabolism and cell renewal, increase local immunity and accelerate regeneration processes, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. - Peelings - a composition containing various acids is applied to the face and helps to exfoliate dead cells. The skin is cleansed and renewed, it perceives cosmetic care more effectively, the complexion becomes healthy, irregularities and spots disappear.
- Fraxel laser rejuvenation is a hardware technique that renews up to 20 percent of the skin in the treated area in one procedure. The course of procedures noticeably improves the quality of the skin: it becomes more dense and elastic, spots and post-acne disappear, pores narrow.
- Photorejuvenation - a hardware procedure improves the skin due to the effects of pulsed light. Eliminates skin defects: age spots, freckles, spider veins, rosacea. Promotes skin rejuvenation.
SKIN COLOR WILL TELL ABOUT US
Skin pigmentation in people of different races is diverse.
But the color of the skin can tell not only about the “roots” and ancestors of a person, but also about his lifestyle and health, that is, the color depends on all sorts of nuances and factors. Our profession, nutrition, bad habits, lack of sleep, stress, and the environment leave their imprint on us. Often the cause of changes in skin tone are acute and chronic diseases.
People have learned to recognize diseases by their complexion long ago, back in the time of Hippocrates. Of course, the achievements in color diagnostics of Eastern healers are great. Signals of the body about malfunctions of the internal organs sometimes appear on the skin after the onset of the disease, in others - long before it appears, they serve as the first symptoms, then the necessary measures must be taken in time. Some of the signals we can recognize on our own. Redness of the face at temperature, pallor at reduced pressure and a greenish tone during motion sickness - many of these signs are immediately distinguished both in themselves and in those around them.
But there are cases that are more difficult.
What can the complexion tell us - not doctors and healers?
The fact that a person has an unhealthy complexion is a rather vague concept, since the range of shades of unhealthy skin is not small. In Chinese medicine, they say that green, white and black are indicators of pain, yellow and red symbolize fullness, white - absence. Each of the five tones corresponds to an organ. Red - heart, white - lungs, black - kidneys, yellow - spleen, green - liver. When establishing a diagnosis in a traditional medical institution, four colors matter: red, yellow, white and blue.
Does turn red? Here are the possible reasons:
- overheating of the body;
- infectious diseases accompanied by fever;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- carbon monoxide poisoning.
Skin turns pale or turns white with ...
- anemia;
- lung pathology;
- stroke or heart attack.
Icteric complexion occurs when there are diseases ...
- liver;
- spleen;
- stomach;
- gallbladder;
- pancreas.
Bluish skin acquires a tint if ...
- lungs are sick;
- has oxygen starvation.
Dark complexion is a sign of kidney disease, bladder infection.
Earth gray indicates diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Green color is often caused by complications of cholelithiasis, and sometimes the cause is cirrhosis of the liver and even cancer.
To make an even more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to look at the face in detail.
Cheeks:
- Blue-red coloration of the cheeks - heart failure.
- White spots on the cheeks - a persistent decrease in blood pressure.
- Unhealthy blush on the cheeks - asthma, bronchitis, lack of vitamin C in the body.
- Symmetrical redness or whiteness of the cheeks near the nose - lack of iron, indigestion.
Lips:
- Bright red lips - respiratory diseases, high blood pressure.
- Bluish lips - disorders in the work of the heart, lack of oxygen.
- Lilac lips - an excess of cholesterol in the body.
Eyes:
- Dark circles under the eyes - nervous disorders.
- Blue circles under the eyes - violation of cardiac activity and blood circulation.
Nose:
- Red nose - disorders in the heart, high blood pressure.
- Blue-red nose - low blood pressure.
- Red streaks on the nose - gastritis.
- White spots on the nose - lung disease.
Tongue:
- Pale tongue color - anemia.
- Blue the color of the tongue - a malfunction in the heart.
- Yellow color of the tongue - disorders in the liver.
Not only the color, but also the overall appearance of the skin can suggest diagnoses. Rashes, itching, burning, and tightness are all symptoms that should be treated by a specialist. There are many reasons for such manifestations - from weakened immunity to disruption of the internal organs.
- Increased sweating of the palms is an indicator of neurotic conditions associated with hyperanxiety.
- Cold hands against the background of pale skin and wet palms - a manifestation of dysregulation of vascular tone and the autonomic nervous system (this can happen with hypotension, vegetovascular dystonia).
- Cold fingers and bluish nails indicate a violation of the blood supply.
- The appearance of brownish pigment spots on the back of the hand indicates a violation of the intestines, stagnation of bile. Age spots in the elderly are about age-related changes, a decrease in the production of melanin in the skin.
- Dry hot palms often occur in people suffering from chronic lung diseases.
- An orangeish hue of the palms is a signal of inflammation of the liver. In children, it can also be one of the manifestations of a food allergy, most often to citrus fruits.
- Yellowish skin of the hands indicates a violation of the outflow of bile, diseases of the gallbladder and liver.
- Swollen, well-defined blue veins on the back of the hand, but without nodules - a manifestation of venous outflow obstruction (may be with cardiac ischemia, dysfunction of the heart valves, thrombophlebitis).
- Hand cramps can be caused by: iron deficiency anemia, calcium deficiency and vascular disorders.
- Dry skin on the elbows is due to a lack of fat-soluble vitamins - A and E, or in violation of fat metabolism (possibly after strict diets).
- A venous pattern on the outer side of the palm with pronounced nodules is a sign of cholesterol metabolism disorders in the development of atherosclerosis or diabetes.
- Frequent bruises on the arms, from nowhere, speak of vascular fragility and blood clotting disorders.
- Hypersensitivity of the hands in the cold is a sign of an allergy to cold, which is more common in women and is accompanied by chills and coughing.
- Fingertips get cold all the time due to circulatory failure.
- Thickening and deformity of the joints of the fingers may be a sign of polyarthritis, gout, disorders of salt and mineral metabolism.
The appearance of pimples on various parts of the body can indeed be a projection of problems with internal organs:
- Eruption of red acne on the temples indicates problems with the liver and gallbladder;
- On the forehead - about problems with the stomach;
- On the cheeks - about problems with the intestines, impaired peristalsis and, as a result, the accumulation of toxins;
- On the chin and lower jaw - about impaired hormone production;
- Large red pimples on the shoulder blades and back can be a sign of problems with the spine if they go along the spinal column, and a sign of neuralgia if they are located along the ribs;
- Rashes on the hands speak of impaired metabolism, problems in the intestines and stomach.
Pimples are usually concentrated on the opposite side of the diseased organ. Sometimes the appearance of acne can cause the use of potent drugs and the accumulation of their decay products in the body.
If the skin becomes dry, and the lips dry and peel off, this indicates a lack of vitamin A and carotene.
Rough skin indicates a lack of vitamin B3, proteins, the amino acid tryptophan, nicotinic acid. This skin problem often occurs in those who are fond of low-calorie and unbalanced diets.
If the skin is pale and has an unhealthy grayish-brown tint, cracks form in the corners of the mouth, and peeling appears on the body, this indicates a deficiency of vitamins B2 and B12.
ATTENTION : All diagnoses made on this list cannot be considered as a guide to action - immediate unauthorized treatment. Guesses about the disease, recognized by this method, must be confirmed traditionally - by passing all the necessary tests.
