Brown spots on the hands are most commonly solar lentigines, which appear over the years due to prolonged and repeated exposure to UV rays. Find here our advice for preventing their occurrence.
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Where do the brown spots on hands come from?
Summary
Published March 23, 2022,
updated on February 22, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Why do brown spots appear on the hands?
This refers to pigmentary spots caused by a disruption in the pigmentation process (melanogenesis). The melanin, pigment responsible for the natural colouration of the skin, is overproduced in certain areas which leads to the appearance of brown spots.
Pigmentary spots can have various origins (hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, sun, genetics). Those located on the hands are most often due to repeated exposure to the sun's UV rays: these are solar lentigines or age spots. They generally appear around the age of 50. Indeed, with age and regular exposure to the sun, the functions of the melanocytes are disrupted. The production of melanin becomes chaotic, which causes the appearance of sun spots on the most exposed areas, therefore the hands but also often the face, shoulders or even the back.
Note : The impairment of melanocyte functions can be triggered by factors other than age and repeated sun exposure. Sometimes, the brown spots present on the hands are due to the intake of certain medications that influence the hormonal system.
How can this phenomenon be prevented?
To prevent the onset of brown spots on the hands, the first step is protection. Indeed, it is UV rays thatoverstimulate the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Therefore, before each exposure to the sun and even every morning at the end of your beauty routine, apply a sun protection on your hands that is suitable for your skin tone. We tend to focus on the face and neck when we apply this care, but the skin of the hands is just as delicate and exposed!
The choice of sun protection depends on each individual's phototype. According to the FITZPATRICK classification, skin types are categorised into 6 phototypes defined by hair colour, complexion, frequency of sunburn, and type of tanning. Thus, individuals with red hair, freckles, and a pale complexion (phototype I), and those with blonde hair and fair skin (phototype II), should opt for a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50. People with light brown hair and fair skin (phototype III), or brown hair and slightly tanned skin (phototype IV), should lean towards a sun protection factor of 30 or even 50. Finally, for mixed-race skin of phototype V or black skin of phototype VI, a sun protection factor of 15 to 30 is sufficient for protection.
Furthermore, as brown spots are linked to the oxidation of cells by free radicals produced in excess under the action of UV rays, antioxidant treatments are also recommended. Some hand creams are enriched with anti-radical compounds such as vitamin C or ferulic acid. These active ingredients will protect the skin from free radicals and thus slow down the skin ageing process and the appearance of signs of ageing (brown spots but also wrinkles and fine lines).
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