Many of us take great pains to make sure our skin is clear and pristine. (At Byrdie HQ, we’ve got the robust skincare regimens to prove it.) So, anytime something out of the ordinary pops up that we don’t automatically know how to deal with, things can reach panic mode pretty quickly. For example, age spots. We’re not just talking about dark sunspots; we’ve got a pretty good handle on those. We’re talking little white spots, which can look a bit like confetti or white freckles. “It is a little-known fact that sun damage causes not only brown spots but also white spots,” says Anna Guanche, MD. “I liken them to ‘gray hairs’ in the skin.” More than likely, these are a result of a harmless condition called idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH).
Unfortunately, doctors don’t have a straightforward answer for what causes IGH; in fact, the term idiopathic means the cause is unknown. The most likely culprits? “Sun and UV exposure are thought to be predisposing factors as is advancing age,” says dermatologist Marla Diakow, MD. IGH may be an inevitable part of the natural aging process, as the skin loses pigment through a gradual reduction in melanocytes, much like hair loses color as we get older and turns gray or white. It most commonly affects women in their 40s and older, but both men and women can develop it earlier in life, too. “The incidence of IGH increases with age, and it affects the majority of the population over age 70,” Diakow says, adding that other theories indicate trauma or genetic factors may play a role in its development. Like most conditions, you may be more susceptible to acquiring IGH if it runs in your family.
Step Up the Sun Protection
If you’ve been a sun-worshipper your whole life, you’re also more likely to get IGH than those who stay out of the sun or are very diligent about wearing sunscreen.But definitely don’t assume any unexplained white spots are IGH, and visit your dermatologist ASAP to rule out other conditions that have similar characteristics.
Get a Chemical Peel
“Once spots have formed, there are no universally effective treatments,” Diakow says. Don’t let that discourage you too much; she adds that “several modalities have been reported with limited success, including cryotherapy, intralesional steroid injections, topical retinoids, chemical peels, and lasers.”
Unfortunately, chemical peels and some of the other treatments listed above can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so it’s crucial that you consult your dermatologist first to determine what solution will work best for you.
Explore Laser Treatments
Similarly, laser treatments can provide results for some complexions, though it’s not guaranteed. “For fairer skin types with sun damage and freckling [or] brown spots, photo facials or laser treatments to remove the surrounding excess pigmentation can make the white spots look less noticeable, due to less contrast,” says Guanche.
Be Cautious with At-Home Remedies
- Be Cautious with At-Home Remedies
- limes and hat on a table
- Natasha Reddy/Unsplash
It’s essential that you exercise caution with any at-home remedies, including topical application of fresh ginger, cabbage juice, or lime juice and eating antioxidant-rich figs and walnuts. “There are no large-scale scientific studies showing that any of these ingredients are effective treatments. In particular, patients should avoid putting many of these, especially lime juice, on any sun-exposed areas of the skin to prevent worsening of pigmentation and irritation of the skin.”
Apply a Retinoid
Topical retinoids can be an effective way to treat (or prevent) white spots from the comfort of home, according to Diakow. According to a 2017 review, retinoids increase cell turnover, which can minimize the appearance of pigmentation issues as well as other signs of aging such as fine lines.
Understand What Else It Could Be
“Other possible causes of white spots on the skin include fungal infection, autoimmune conditions, and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation,” Diakow says. Though unrelated to IGH, some common issues that are also associated with white spots include the following:
Vitiligo: Loss of color in patches of skin
Pityriasis alba: Scaly patches of light pink or red skin, most common in children and young adults, and associated with eczema
Tinea versicolor: A fungal infection that results in patches of lighter or darker skin
