Sunspots
Sunspots (Lentigines seniles / Lentigines solares)
Sunspots usually appear only in skin areas that are constantly exposed to sunlight. They are pigment deposits in the skin and they are harmless. The older persons get and the more UV rays they have been exposed to, the more likely they are to develop sunspots.
What are sunspots?
Sunspots are a benign and harmless pigmentary disorder in the skin. Dermatologists name these spots as lentigines seniles (singular: lentigo senilis) or lentigines solares (singular = lentigo solaris. The name does not come by chance and so the first sunspots appear at an age of 40+. The generation 60+ generally has to struggle with this skin appearance, although it is more of a cosmetic problem.
Sunspots preferentially appear on skin areas that are often exposed to the sun – on the backs of the hands, on the forearms, on the face and on the décolleté. The color spectrum of the spots ranges from yellowish-brown to dark brown. The size also varies from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, as well as the shape from round to oval.
Sunspots always show an even coloration, they do not fluctuate like e.g., freckles, which become almost invisible in winter.
Cause of sunspots
The protective mechanism of the skin against UV radiation is the brownish melanin. It is located in the epidermis and turns brown due to UV radiation. In addition, UV radiation stimulates the synthesis of more melanin in the skin. Thus, with increased exposure to sunlight, the skin’s own protection builds up.
If sun exposure is reduced again, e.g., in autumn and winter, the amount of melanin in the skin decreases and the skin tone becomes lighter again.
Over decades, UV rays can cause chronic light damage. This also includes sunspots. They develop because the epidermis thickens irregularly over time and melanin is increasingly deposited. In addition to this harmless sign of aging, white skin cancer, as well as black skin cancer, are among the far more serious consequences. Therefore, a skin screening of all pigment spots should also be carried out regularly. This partial thickening of the epidermis above the melanin storage also makes the treatment of sunspots so lengthy. Here, 2-3 months of intensive treatment should be invested before a result is visible.
How can the pigment spots be removed?
Actually, sunspots do not need to be treated. However, due to our current ideal of beauty, which is flawless skin, some people perceive their sunspots as a blemish. Because sunspots can develop into an age wart (verruca seborrhoica or seborrheic wart), many take up treatment.
There are several methods that can be used to remove sunspots more or less effectively.
Laser therapy
Laser treatment is considered the most effective method to eliminate sunspots. The laser beam penetrates the upper layers of the skin and causes the pigment deposits to burst into smaller pieces. These melanin debris now attract immune cells and are removed. Some people experience a burning sensation on the treated areas for a few days, which is similar to sunburn. Often a single laser treatment is not enough and the treatment must be repeated by a specialist. After such treatment and beyond, daily application of sunscreen creams is mandatory.
Cosmetic products
A cheaper alternative are cosmetic products containing active ingredients that lighten sunspots and at the same time reduce pigment formation. These include active ingredients such as vitamin C and derivatives, hydroquinone, rucinol, kojic acid, extract of mulberry and watercress extract. The treatment requires patience, because an effect is visible only after several months. The products should also contain UV protection of at least SPF 20 to prevent UV radiation from penetrating the skin. Those who cannot tolerate these active creams against sunspots should try other products with different active ingredients.
Chemical peeling
The AHA and BHA acids, peel off the top layers of the skin. After that, the upper layers of the skin are formed anew. Since these fruit acids are rather weak acids, the products should have at least 3-5% acidity, so that the products can work in the epidermis. Ideally, you should have such a treatment performed by an experienced cosmetician or dermatologist.
Dermabrasion
During the so-called dermabrasion, the top layers of the skin are abraded. After dermabrasion, the epidermis forms anew. However, the skin is reddened for a few weeks afterwards and must be well cared for, again sun protection has top priority. In the meantime, there are also dermabrasion devices for private use, but we still recommend having a professional pigment spot removal performed by a cosmetician or dermatologist.
Sun protection is mandatory!
Anyone who has pigment spots removed by one of the methods presented or has them treated cosmetically should avoid direct sunlight. Irritated skin tends to re-pigment when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This is not only true for UVB light, which causes sunburns and plays a rather minor role in daily life. UV-B radiation is already completely absorbed by glass and is therefore not a major problem.
The decisive factor is rather the protection against UVA light. Therefore, every day you should apply a sunscreen that also protects well against UVA radiation. Such products are marked by a logo consisting of the letters “UVA” in a circle and they must give at least 30% UV-A protection. Because the sunrays are weakest in northern Europe during the cold season, we recommend having pigment spots removed in the fall or winter. If cosmetic products are used, they can be used all year round.
Read in our article ABC UV protection how you can counteract light damage to the skin and other UV-related problems.
We like to work with these active ingredients in connection with sunspots:
| Name | Supplier | INCI | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEGO enlight | Evonik – Personal Care | Morus Alba Fruit Extract , Sodium Phytate , Aqua , Glycerin , Alcohol | |
| Radianskin PW LS 9918 | BASF | Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid | |
| Alpiniawhite HS | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Butylene Glycol , Aqua , Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract | |
| ILLUMISCIN | Rahn AG | Glycerin , Aqua (Aqua) , Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract , Ascorbyl Glucoside , Zinc PCA , Ascorbic Acid | |
| TEGO Cosmo C 250 | Evonik – Personal Care | 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide | |
| Amitose MGA | SEIWA KASEI CO., LTD. | Myristyl 3-Glyceryl Ascorbate , Butylene Glycol | |
| GATULINE SPOT-LIGHT | Gattefossé | Butylene Glycol , Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Aqua , Alcohol , Sophora Flavescens Root Extract | |
| Belides ORG | CLR Chemisches Laboratorium Dr. Kurt Richter GmbH | Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract | |
| Melavoid | Provital | Propanediol , Aqua , Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract | |
| Bicowhite Complex | Bicosome SL | Aqua , Lecithin , Lysolecithin , Lactobacillus Ferment , Niacinamide , 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid , Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate , Bisabolol , Phytic Acid | |
| Arbutin (SpecWhite ABT) | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Arbutin | |
| Wakamine | Givaudan Active Beauty | Aqua , Undaria Pinnatifida Extract | |
| iWhite KA | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Kojic Acid | |
| SCUTALINE | Biosil Technologies, Inc. | Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract | |
| Nicotinamide | Hangzhou Rebtech Novel Material Co., Ltd. | Niacinamide | |
| Fision WrinkleFix | Tri-K Industries, Inc. | Aqua , Hydrolyzed Rice Protein , Hydrolyzed Pea Protein , Glycine , Proline , Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate | |
| iWhite RKG | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Raspberryketone Glucoside | |
| AC-β-Arbutin | SOHO ANECO Chemicals Co., Limited | Arbutin | |
| AHA Fruits Complex | The Garden of Naturalsolution Co., Ltd. (former Natural Solution Co.,Ltd.) | Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract | |
| STAY-C 50 | DSM Personal Care | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | |
| Actiwhite PW LS 9860 | BASF | Maltodextrin , Sucrose Dilaurate , Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate , Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract | |
| Renovage | Sederma | Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides (Root) Extract | |
| TEGO Pep 4-Even | Evonik – Personal Care | Tetrapeptide-30 , Glycerin , Aqua | |
| Agefinity | Givaudan Active Beauty | Glycerin , Aqua , Sodium Mannose Phosphate , Mannose | |
| Achromaxyl ISR Biofunctional | Ashland | Aqua , Glycerin , Hydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract | |
| Wonderlight | Sederma | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Strobile | |
| Kojic Acid Dipalmitate | Hangzhou Rebtech Novel Material Co., Ltd. | Kojic Dipalmitate | |
| Activoil Spotless ZRO | Innovacos | Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil , Octyldodecanol , Octyldodecyl Oleate , Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate , Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract , Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract | |
| RENEGRAPE | Bionap S.r.l. | Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract | |
| JAPANESE BEAUTY BERRY | INTER ACTIFS BY ACETO | Aqua , Butylene Glycol , Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract | |
| Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | Hangzhou Rebtech Novel Material Co., Ltd. | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | |
| SulforaWhite | Mibelle AG Biochemistry | Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract , Glycerin , Lecithin , Phenoxyethanol , Aqua | |
| ViaPure Licorice White | Gfn-Selco | Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract | |
| SpecWhite KAD (Kojic Acid Dipalmitate) | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Kojic Dipalmitate | |
| iWhite LA | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Lactic Acid | |
| SpecWhite KAD | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Kojic Dipalmitate | |
| Depigmentation Factor 2U | Lipoid Kosmetik AG | Aqua , Alcohol , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Glycerin , Cholesterol , Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract | |
| Kojic Acid | Sandream Specialties | Kojic Acid | |
| Maritech Bright | Innospec Performance Chemicals | Fucus Vesiculosus Extract | |
| Soft Milk 5 Macadamia | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Aqua , Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil , Glycerin , Glyceryl Stearate , Phospholipids , Xanthan Gum , Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate | |
| Fresh Cells Mango PFE | Gattefossé | Aqua , Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract | |
| SpecWhite 4BR | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | 4-Butylresorcinol | |
| MICROSPONGE C111A Glycolic Acid Delivery System | AMCOL Health & Beauty Solutions (HBS) | Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer , Glycolic Acid | |
| Concentrated Prodhywhite KAF | Laboratoires Prod'Hyg | Aqua , Butylene Glycol , Morus Alba Root Extract , Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract , Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract , Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract | |
| CLERILYS W | Greentech | Aqua , Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Extract , Morus Alba Bark Extract , Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract | |
| Citrolumine 8 | Lipoid Kosmetik AG | Glycerin , Aqua , Lecithin , Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract , Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Fruit Extract , Sodium Ascorbate , Tocopherol , Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil | |
| CinderellaCare | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Butylene Glycol , Aqua , Thymus Serpyllum Extract | |
| Clairju | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Butylene Glycol , Aqua , Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica | |
| MELANOSTATINE 5 BG | Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | Aqua , Dextran , Nonapeptide-1 | |
| Tyrostat 9 | Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | Aqua , Glycerin , Rumex Occidentalis Extract | |
| Sohakuhi BG Extract | Laboratoires Prod'Hyg | Aqua , Butylene Glycol , Morus Alba Root Extract | |
| Tyrostat 11 | Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | Aqua , Glycerin , Rumex Occidentalis Extract , Ascorbic Acid | |
| EXO-T | Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | Aqua , Butylene Glycol , Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate | |
| Megassane | Givaudan Active Beauty | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride , Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract | |
| KIWI Liquid B | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Butylene Glycol , Aqua , Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract | |
| Sage Extract (Ursolic Acids 75%) | Sabinsa Europe GmbH | Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract | |
| Ursolic Acid 60% | Sabinsa Europe GmbH | Ursolic Acid | |
| MandarinClear HS | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Butylene Glycol , Aqua , Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract | |
| Whitesphere Premium | Givaudan Active Beauty | Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract , Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate , Undaria Pinnatifida Extract | |
| OUGON Extract Powder | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract | |
| ActiveCFL Azelaic Acid | Jiangsu High Hope International Group Sunshine Chemical Corporation | Azelaic Acid | |
| SEPIWHITE MSH | SEPPIC | Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine | |
| iVIT AAP | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate | |
| PromaCare B-Arbutin | Uniproma | Arbutin | |
| GenoWhite | Corum Inc. | Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine | |
| OLEA HT-10 | Bionap S.r.l. | Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract , Maltodextrin | |
| RonaCare MAP | Merck KGaA | Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate | |
| RonaCare Nicotinamide | Merck KGaA | Niacinamide | |
| WhitenCFL PT-40 | Jiangsu High Hope International Group Sunshine Chemical Corporation | Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract | |
| Akoactive Dragon | Akott Evolution | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride , 4-Butylresorcinol , Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract , Glycereth-6 Tricocoate | |
| SpecKare RRT | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Retinol , Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin | |
| AC-GLA 70%, cosmetic grade | SOHO ANECO Chemicals Co., Limited | Glycolic Acid | |
| Hydrolyzed Pearl Liquid (Hydrolyzed Pearl, SpecPure HPL) | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Hydrolyzed Pearl | |
| BST-Ferment Olive Oil | BST Inc. | Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil , Lactobacillus Ferment | |
| Biobenefity HS | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Butylene Glycol , Aqua , Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract | |
| SpecPure STPP | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Pearl Powder | |
| ENTADINE | Biosil Technologies, Inc. | Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract , Propanediol , Aqua | |
| Neoclair Pro | LipoTrue, S.L. | Aqua , Glycerin , Caprylyl Glycol , Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 | |
| SpecBio ABT | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Arbutin | |
| ADS-Oligonol | ICHIMARU PHARCOS CO., LTD. | Cysteine/Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin | |
| AC-GLA 99% | SOHO ANECO Chemicals Co., Limited | Glycolic Acid | |
| PromaCare SAP | Uniproma | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | |
| BEAUACTIVE | DSM Personal Care | Hydroxystearic Acid | |
| LUMINIA GRANATUM | Vytrus Biotech | Maltodextrin , Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate | |
| Ascorbyl PM | SHOWA DENKO K.K. | Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate | |
| D-Biotin | DSM Personal Care | Biotin | |
| Kollaren BG | Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | Aqua , Dextran , Tripeptide-1 | |
| SpecWhite VB3 | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Niacinamide | |
| PRACAXI OIL - BERACARE BBA | DKSH | Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil | |
| PRACAXI OIL - BERACARE BBA | Beraca - a Clariant Group Company | Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil | |
| BRIGHT Oléoactif | Hallstar | Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Seed Oil , Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract , Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate , Althaea Officinalis Root Extract , Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract | |
| SpecWhite 05 (Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid) | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid | |
| NaturePep Ganoderma | Tri-K Industries, Inc. | Aqua , Hydrolyzed Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract | |
| Tanositol SPE | Provital | Inositol |
An even skin: Cosmacon develops the right formulas
With the right skin care, the complexion looks much more even, vital and healthy. With the help of specially formulated cosmetic products, the hyperpigmentation of sunspots can be counteracted. Sunscreens play an essential role in the prevention of pigmentation spots. Cosmacon develops specially formulated products according to your wishes. Just contact us!
Sources:
Melanin and lipofuscin as hallmarks of skin aging.; Skoczyńska A, Budzisz E, Trznadel-Grodzka E, Rotsztejn H.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2017 Apr;34(2):97-103.
Redefining face contour with a novel anti-aging cosmetic product: an open-label, prospective clinical study.; Garre A, Martinez-Masana G, Piquero-Casals J, Granger C.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017 Nov 13;10:473-482.
A randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of two sunscreen formulations on Indian skin types IV and V with pigmentation irregularities.; Sarkar R, Garg VK, Jain A, Agarwal D, Wagle A, Flament F, Verschoore M.Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2019 Mar-Apr;85(2):160-168.
The use of botanical extracts as topical skin-lightening agents for the improvement of skin pigmentation disorders.; Zhu W, Gao J.J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2008 Apr;13(1):20-4.