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White freckles, scientifically called leukoderma gutata, are small white patches on the skin, between 1 and 10 mm in size, which are usually caused by excessive exposure to the sun. This is because UV rays damage melanocytes, which are the skin cells that produce melanin, a substance that gives the skin a darker color.
The most frequent places for the appearance of these white spots are the arms, legs, back and face, and they appear especially in people over 40 years of age.
Although it is usually a benign change in the skin, white freckles are a sign that the skin is not being properly protected against the UV rays of the sun, so it is important to start using sunscreen daily to prevent the appearance of more serious complications. like skin cancer.
What causes
The causes of white freckles are related to excessive sun exposure, without using the appropriate sun protection factor. This is because ultraviolet rays cause damage to melanocytes that fail to produce melanin correctly, which is the substance that gives the skin a darker color, generating these small, lighter colored patches.
Learn how to protect yourself from the sun and avoid damage to health.
What is the diagnosis
The diagnosis of white freckles can be made by the dermatologist only by observing the lesions on the skin.
How the treatment is done
The most important step in the prevention and treatment of white freckles is to use sunscreen daily on skin exposed to the sun, with a minimum protection factor of 15. The ideal, when going to the beach, is to invest in a sunscreen with a superior protection index, ideally spf 50+, and avoid the hottest hours, between 10 am and 4 pm.
In addition, you should also consult a dermatologist, who can recommend a treatment that can be done using topical tretinoin, with laser, dermabrasion or cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen. These techniques help to remove the superficial layer of the skin, promoting the regeneration of the skin without blemishes.
There are cases, especially in people with darker skin, where the spots may not disappear completely, but in these cases, the use of sunscreen should be maintained to avoid aggravating the situation.
Also watch the following video, and learn how to correctly choose the sunscreen and how to use it safely:
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- FERNANDES, Nurimar Conceição et. al .. Treatment of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis with Er: YAG 2940nm laser alone or combined with piperine drug delivery: a comparative pilot study . An Bras Dermatol .. Vol.85. 4.ed; 571-572, 2010