The words sea, sun, tan are always associated with a wonderful vacation, and in themselves they already cause delight, not to mention the feelings that visit us when we break out into its open spaces. In addition to swimming, we love to sunbathe, and returning home with a beautiful chocolate tone will be the envy of everyone. And then we think for a long time about how to maintain a tan after the sea for a long time. And all these joyful thoughts and impressions are suddenly overshadowed by some strange small white spots on the skin after sunbathing.
What is this, we think? To be honest, it doesn’t look very good, and besides, it’s scary, and immediately terrible words loom on the horizon. Yes, but we didn’t sit in the sun for a long time, we were worried about getting sunstroke, and took measures to prevent this. We are smart, and we know very well, and not only from reviews, that an instant tan causes a number of problems. We tried so hard, then where did this leopard color come from?
Why do they appear?
There are many reasons for this. Small white spots on the skin after sunbathing may be due to a lack of melanin. Each of us, at least once, has been puzzled by the question of what to do if our skin itches or peels off after sunbathing. You come home looking beautiful, and suddenly the top layer of your epidermis begins to fall off, which is where the melanocytes are located. When they produce little melanin, they tan in one place but not in another, resulting in spotting. Melanin is a very useful thing, and it is responsible for protecting against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. But there may be other reasons.
Skin fungus, or pityriasis versicolor. It can remain on the skin for a long time without showing signs of life. But when a person starts to sunbathe, that’s when it shows up. At first it doesn’t bother me much, but then it itches and flakes more and more, and, frankly speaking, it doesn’t look very good.
Genetic factors. The phenomenon of white spots is called hypomelanosis, and in this case the disease cannot be treated. Or rather, it is a deviation. And the only way to avoid getting these spots is to avoid exposing your body to direct sunlight. And here no creams or ointments, even SPF 50, will help, on the contrary, if you have hereditary spotting, then sunscreens can do harm.
Solarium. Many people like to suddenly get an “instant tan” without any travel. And after tanning, white spots are one of the most common phenomena. But the whole point is that, most often, we perform this procedure incorrectly. While tanning in a solarium, you need to change your body position, but who does this?
Vitiligo. Perhaps you know people who, after sunbathing, develop severe redness on the skin of their hands, and almost immediately there are white spots in this place. This disease is vitiligo, and it is also related to the production of melanin in the cells of the epidermis.
The disease is hereditary, transmitted from parents to children, and so on. But if no one in the family has had vitiligo, the onset of the disease is possible without it, if there are malfunctions in the immune system, severe and frequent stressful situations, intoxication, or some pathologies.
Vitiligo has no cure. Only the person himself can cope with this a little if he engages in a healthy lifestyle, wears high-quality natural clothes that provide oxygen, and maintains a good level of immunity.
Poikiloderma. This disease affects people with fair skin. White spots often appear on the neck and chest. Alas, this skin disease in this case cannot be treated, but it does not cause trouble. But if dark spots begin to appear along with white spots, then you need to urgently consult a doctor.
Hormonal imbalance. At different periods of our women's lives, hormones can surprise us. This happens during pregnancy, during menstrual periods, and age-related hormonal changes.
Medicines. Medicines have side effects. Some may also cause white spots to appear after sunbathing. This will be a reaction to the drug. Therefore, always read the instructions carefully.
What to do and how to deal with them
It’s interesting that no one thinks about how to get rid of a tan. After all, it's beautiful. Unlike white spots, which look strange and unusual for humans. If you start to have white spots, and this comes as a big surprise to you, since this has never happened in your family, you need to consult a doctor. In this case, you yourself will not establish the reason. This can be done on the basis of tests, knowledge and personal experience of the doctor.
If you develop a fungal infection, you will need a course of antifungal therapy, where you will take medications, use external compounds and a special diet. By the way, about diet. It is almost always needed when it comes to skin problems. In this case, the diet will be consuming plenty of water, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as limiting meat, sweets, salty foods and smoked foods.
If you are sure that you do not have any diseases, and the spots appeared after a solarium, you can first make a rice broth, moisten a simple cloth and apply to these places for 15 minutes. You can repeat it several times a day, this recipe will not harm. You can add turmeric and honey to cooked rice and apply compresses on the spots.
Parsley leaves also help well; they need to be chopped and placed in a layer on the skin for 15 minutes. The same can be done with cabbage and cucumbers, beat the cabbage a little so that it becomes moist, or you can place it in a blender and put the resulting pulp in the form of a compress. You can mix a mixture of cucumbers and cabbage.
And remember to maintain water balance, this is necessary in all cases, drink more water and teas - green or herbal.
If relief does not come after a couple of days, you should see a doctor to rule out a serious illness and not prolong it. In this case, you should not engage in medical self-medication; it not only will not cure, but can also make everything worse. In our article, we will also not give you an answer to the question of what to do with stains, we will only point you to some useful information.
But we will not prescribe medications. This can only be done by a doctor, and his consultation is very important, since in many cases exposure to the sun is prohibited altogether. The issue with fungi is also very complicated, here the sun is excluded, special tablets and ointments are prescribed. In a word, stains are different from stains, and this must be well understood.
Video
- This is a fragment of Elena Malysheva’s program, where she introduces us to different people who are faced with this problem and talks about ways to solve it.
- This video offers very interesting folk recipes.
None of us likes going to doctors. And yet, if spots appear and they grow or change colors, do not delay, go to the doctor. Self-diagnosis in this case is not only unnecessary, but also contraindicated. If you have light stains, then use our tips. Try to fight it using simple home methods; cabbage and cucumbers are good because they won’t do any harm, and if the situation is simple, they will help very well. If it’s not so simple, then you’ll have to get treatment, and that’s not so scary either. The main thing is to know your body, and then read, think and write, please, for our other readers - have you encountered such a thing and how did you deal with it?
Hello! Today we’ll figure out how and why white spots appear after tanning. We all love the sun, summer and dream of looking with a beautiful and even tan. But not everyone knows that sometimes after tanning, unsightly white spots may appear on the skin.
Content
Causes of white spots after sunbathing
White spots on the skin can appear on any part of the body. Mostly, exposed areas of the body exposed to solar or artificial ultraviolet radiation are affected - arms, face, shoulders. Also, in some cases, white spots may appear on the stomach and other parts of the body. White spots can be minor or extensive, with varying frequencies and sizes.
The mechanism for the appearance of white spots is due to insufficient production of melanin, the coloring pigment responsible for the color of the skin, hair, and retina of the eyes. Melanin is considered an integral part of the body's immune system and helps protect it from malignant degeneration of cells, from the ionizing and toxic effects of ultraviolet or other visible radiation. Melanin neutralizes the action of free radicals in the skin, blocks the biochemical processes of carcinogens and radionuclides.
Melanin is also found in internal organs. There is both a lack of melanin synthesis and an excess of it. The most obvious example of a disorder in melanin synthesis is albinism. The level of melanin content in cells and tissues and the depth of their location determines the color of the skin, eyes and hair.
The reasons for insufficient melanin production and, as a result, the appearance of white spots on the skin can be:
- hormonal disorders and the presence of endocrine diseases — problems with the endocrine system contribute to disruption of melanin synthesis.
- genetic pathology or predisposition — there are genetic diseases associated with a lack of melanin. With pale skin color, pigmentation may be invisible or not pronounced, but under the influence of ultraviolet radiation it becomes obvious.
- taking certain medications and hormonal drugs — many drugs provoke a decrease in the level of melanin or its uneven amount. These may be antibiotics, contraceptives, diabetic medications and others.
- diseases of the liver, adrenal glands and kidneys — the work of internal organs also plays a role in the condition of the skin, the level of pigmentation and the amount of melanin;
- fungal skin lesions - the most popular yeast fungi in the appearance of white spots are pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor). These fungi affect the upper layers of the dermis, actively multiplying and interfering with the normal production of melanin. Many factors contribute to the occurrence of lichen - a humid climate, increased sweating, decreased immunity. Tinea versicolor is considered a conditionally contagious disease.
- nervous stress and depression — disruptions in the nervous system affect the reduction of the body’s immunity and defense mechanisms, resulting in the condition of the hair and skin.
- vitiligo - a disease in which white spots appear on the hands and face, sometimes on the knees and forearms, and elbows. The causes of vitiligo are still not clear. What is known is that the immune system is capable of destroying melanocytes - cells that produce and contain melanin - in the epidermis in some areas of the skin. There is a hereditary predisposition to vitiligo. White spots on the skin are especially noticeable when exposed to sunlight. They can have different sizes and merge from several into one spot. Appear and disappear suddenly.
- poikiloderma Sivvat - a skin disease classified as atrophic. Poikiloderma causes skin lesions in the form of white spots, accompanied by patchy pigmentation and a rash. The result looks like a mesh-like skin lesion. It usually appears on the neck and chest. Poikiloderma is also little studied and the reasons for its occurrence are not clear. Treatment comes down to prevention and elimination of external manifestations on the skin.
- infectious diseases - syphilis, leprosy, etc. Infectious diseases reduce general immunity and reduce the protective functions of the body. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation in combination with taking medications during treatment, white spots - leukoderma - become noticeable. When cured of syphilis or leprosy, depigmentation disappears.
- sunburn - can arise from the aggressive influence of ultraviolet radiation due to improper tanning or exposure to the sun without skin protection. Sunburn manifests itself in the form of redness and blisters, which, during the process of skin regeneration, leave behind white spots. Burns also occur when solar cosmetics are applied incorrectly or unevenly—tanning creams and lotions, anti-tanning products.
- presence of scars and keloid scars - as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, all skin can have an even tan, excluding areas with scars and scars. They remain white. This is due to the structure of the scarred tissue and the low level of melanin in these areas.
In addition, disturbances in melanin production can be caused by a lack of vitamins and microelements and the presence of chronic diseases.
White spots after sunbathing in a child
The main cause is most often overexposure to tanning and sunburn. Along with this, white spots in children after sunbathing occur in the presence of infectious skin diseases, tinea versicolor, vitiligo, decreased immunity after illness, and vitamin deficiency.
There are known cases where white spots appeared in children against the background of viral infections in the form of guttate hypomelanosis - small teardrop-shaped white spots on the arms, legs, shoulders, and back.
Preventing the appearance of white spots
The main causes of skin depigmentation are neglect of sunscreen and excessive exposure to the sun.
Armed with knowledge about white spots after tanning and why they appear, for prevention it is necessary to adhere to some precautions:
- sunbathe in portions, gradually increasing the time spent in the sun;
- do not sunbathe in the open sun, but prefer a place in the shade;
- do not sunbathe immediately after swimming, but rather dry off and then sunbathe;
- use sunburn protection products, creams, foams, gels and lotions with a high SPF factor;
- Avoid tanning during the most active phases of solar radiation - from approximately 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- use decorative cosmetics with caution when tanning;
- regular intake of vitamins, proper and balanced nutrition.
To get an even tan, you need to apply protective equipment evenly, if possible, protect exposed parts of the body with clothing made from natural hygroscopic fabrics, wear a hat and sunglasses.
How to get rid of white spots on the skin and face
If white spots after tanning cannot be avoided, then consultation with a specialist will help to get rid of them to identify the exact cause.
Only after a thorough examination and examination can you use the doctor’s recommendations and home remedies to get rid of white spots.
If various diseases and pathologies are excluded, then you can get rid of white spots in the following ways:
- try to wash off the uneven tan - each time the tan will become lighter;
- When washing, use a hard washcloth to better exfoliate the top layer of skin;
- apply light peeling to even out the tan color using a scrub;
- use the services of a cosmetologist - professional peeling and masks, solarium, photo or laser therapy to even out skin color;
- use homemade whitening masks;
Masks made from fruits with honey, sour cream, kefir, and raw potatoes are excellent home remedies. A cucumber mask has a whitening effect - cut cucumber slices are applied to the skin for 10-15 minutes. If white spots appear after a sunburn and pain persists, you can soothe the skin with a decoction of chamomile or oak bark. Masks with parsley and dill are also useful.
A balanced diet, including an abundance of vegetables and fruits, herbs, and foods rich in vitamins A, E, and B, will help speed up the production of melanin and even out skin color.
It is necessary to eat foods containing natural antioxidants. It is recommended to drink more fluids - water, natural juices.
There are also dietary supplements (BAA) aimed at enhancing melanin synthesis. Before taking them, it is recommended to consult a specialist and carefully study the composition to avoid allergic reactions.
There are times when small or large white spots appear on the skin after active exposure to the sun, while the rest of the skin has an even, beautiful tan. This skin reaction may be due to various reasons, but all of them are a consequence of impaired melanin production – a pigment that is responsible for coloring the iris of the eyes, hair and skin.
Why do they appear?
There are several reasons for the appearance of white spots on the skin after sunbathing:
- Frequent use of a tunnel solarium. When using a solarium in a lying position, excessive pressure is applied to the places where the body comes into contact with its surface, which disrupts blood circulation in these areas of the skin. This can cause white spots to appear. An innovative method that is absolutely harmless to the skin - instant tanning - has become a good alternative to tanning in a solarium. You can find out more about this by following the link instant tan reviews.
- Pityriasis (solar) lichen. This is a fungal skin disease that prevents ultraviolet radiation from penetrating the epidermis. In this case, melanin is not produced, so the skin tans unevenly. This disease is a consequence of a lack of vitamin D in the body and a weakened immune system. Tanned skin only emphasizes the presence of white spots, so you may want to lighten it. To do this, follow the link on how to get rid of a tan.
- Vitiligo. This disease appears as a result of an immune failure when melantocyte cells, which are located in the upper layer of the epidermis, stop producing melanin. This failure occurs in patches, and therefore appears on the skin in the form of white spots of different sizes and shapes. Especially often such spots can be seen on the hands and ankles.
What to do and how to deal with them
If antifungal agents are used to treat the first disease, then to eliminate the consequences of the second disease a long course of treatment with immunomodulators is required.
In the case where white spots have formed from the use of a solarium, you can use simple home treatment methods using compresses:
- from boiled rice;
- pulp of white cabbage and cucumber;
- mixtures of honey, boiled rice and turmeric;
- parsley chopped in a blender.
Apply these compounds to white spots using a gauze bandage for 15-20 minutes.
Restrictions during treatment:
- If you have pityriasis versicolor, then you should stick to the diet. Eliminate heavy and spicy foods from your diet, giving preference to vegetables, meat, fish and cereals.
- Completely necessary avoid exposure to the sun.
- Avoid visiting the solarium.
Even if you have completely managed to recover from white spots, then appear in the sun without applying it to your skin. creams with a high SPF factor are prohibited. This is especially true for beach holidays. Find out about solving the consequences of excessive tanning by following the link: skin itches or peels after sunbathing, what to do.
Video block on what to do if white spots appear on the skin
- Video about why white spots appear on the skin
- Video about what to do if small white spots appear on your skin after sunbathing
- Video about why white spots appear on the skin of your hands after sunbathing and how to get rid of them
- Video with feedback on what vitiligo is and how to cope with this disease
- Treatment of vitiligo with traditional methods at home