The dark spots of the skin, scientifically "senile lentigo", are among the least accepted signs of skin ageing. They appear more frequently on the face and back of the hands of people with clear phototypes, who when exposed to the sun "burn" easily.
Lentigo lenses are therefore linked to sun exposure, although recently there is talk of a possible association with the presence of fine particulates (PM 2,5) in the air.
We talk about it with Marzia Baldi, Head of the Dermatology Offices of Humanitas Gavazzeni Bergamo.
What link would there be between air polluting particles and skin stains?
A recent study carried out on a female population in two geographical areas of China showed a significant difference between the number of injuries on the back of the hands, which was greater in women living in more polluted urban areas than in women living in rural areas. It seems, therefore, that pollution is able to affect the formation of stains in the skin, just like the extrinsic factors already known, such as exposure to the sun ".
Can skin stains be controlled by do-it-yourself systems?
These stains represent a physiological phenomenon linked to age, but they could also be an expression of existing cancers. For this reason, always consult your doctor or specialist at all times to rule out dangerous injuries in the first instance and, at a later stage, plan the best therapy to solve the lentigo ".
Can cosmetics cause skin stains to disappear?
The use of opaque cosmetics is a solution, even if temporary, to attenuate the sun's lenses. If this is not enough and blemish becomes a source of discomfort, the dermatologist can recommend different single or combined treatments such as laser therapy, cryotherapy, diathermic coagulation or chemical peeling ".