Dark Spots

Dark spots on the skin, also called hyperpigmentation, are a common skin problem especially beginning in middle age. There are a variety of conditions and agents that can cause dark spots to develop.

Skin Diseases that Cause Dark Spots

One of the most under-recognized causes of dark spots is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is a dark spot that occurs after some type of trauma to the skin - especially infections like acne. This and other skin diseases are listed here:

Melasma
Riehl's melanosis
Poikiloderma of Civatte
Erythromelanosis follicularis
Linea Fusca
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Medications that Cause Dark Spots

Certain medications sensitize the skin to the sun and other medications can cause dark spots without sun exposure. The most common offending medications are listed here:

Estrogens
Tetracyclines
Amiodarone
Phenytoin
Phenothiazines
Sulfonamides

UV Light Causes Specific Types of Dark Spots

UV light is a major cause of not only dark spots, but also other types of skin damage. The various types of dark spots caused by UV light are listed here: