[Medical Q&A] How to deal with "spots" at different ages?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zhu Xuejun, Chief Physician, Peking University First Hospital

Freckles are common in children or adolescents, usually appearing on the bridge of the nose and cheeks. They are brown spots the size of rice grains and are hereditary. Sun exposure will deepen the color of freckles, especially in spring and summer, while in winter, the spots will become relatively lighter. Laser treatment is an effective means for freckles, which can generally be basically eliminated after one or two treatments. However, it should be noted that strict sun protection should be used after laser treatment to prevent the spots from recurring.

Chloasma is more common in young and middle-aged women, and appears as brown spots on the cheeks, and sometimes on the forehead and around the mouth. Chloasma is related to pregnancy, endocrine disorders (such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea), and taking birth control pills. Ultraviolet radiation, mental stress, and lack of sleep can aggravate the symptoms. The treatment of chloasma is more complicated, mainly based on internal adjustments, and can be combined with mild methods such as fruit acid and infusion therapy. Sun protection is the key, and avoid blindly performing photoelectric treatment to avoid aggravating the spots.

Age spots are common in people over 50 years old. They are a sign of skin aging and are closely related to long-term sun exposure. Age spots may gradually increase in size and bulge, forming senile warts (seborrheic keratosis). Treatment of age spots can be done by laser or freezing methods depending on their size.