How to Get Rid of White Spots on Your Skin

White spots on the skin can occur for a variety of reasons. In some cases, it may be the sign of an autoimmune condition. In most instances, white spots on the skin are harmless and occur for common reasons, such as excessive sun exposure or a fungus. White spots on the skin can be of cosmetic concern. If you have white spots on your skin, there are various treatments you can employ to get rid of them.

Things You'll Need

• Prescription medication
• Antifungal treatments
• Sunscreen

Instructions

1. See a dermatologist. Because white spots on the skin can sometimes be due to more serious underlying diseases, it's important to first rule out such possibilities. If your white spots are due to fungal infections, your dermatologist may give you a prescription to treat the infection. Though rare, diseases such as vitiligo and leucoderma can cause areas of hypopigmentation on the skin. If you have such a disease, your dermatologist can prescribe medication to slow its progression.

2. Wear sunscreen year-round. White spots on the skin are often caused by high levels of sun exposure. To prevent new white spots and get rid of existing spots, apply daily a high-SPF sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

3. Use over-the-counter antifungal treatments. Various topical treatments are available that treat fungal infections. If your white spots are caused by a fungus, these treatments can effectively get rid of them if used consistently.

4. Try hydroxy acids. These naturally occurring acids encourage skin cell regeneration. This means new skin cells are more rapidly produced to replace your older, uneven skin cells. If used regularly, hydroxy acids can help get rid of the white spots on your skin more quickly. You can find the acids in various skin care products, such as lotions, serums and cleansers.

5. Talk to your dermatologist about laser treatment. Lasers are often used to correct skin pigmentation issues. The laser's light can burn away the top layers of your skin, revealing younger, fresher skin below. If your white spots are on the surface layers of your skin, they will be effectively removed. If your white spots are caused by an autoimmune or hypopigmentation disease, lasers will not be effective treatments.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid harsh detergents and soaps because they can exacerbate white spots on your skin.

References

• Love to Know
• White Spots on Skin
• Glycolic.org

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish