Many people from all over the globe, regardless of their skin color or the environment in which they live have to face these two problems on their skin: dark patches and brown spots. In order to know how to effectively treat them and prevent their further apparition it is necessary to understand which were the factors that caused them.

1. The sun
Probably the most important factor that triggers brown spots and dark patches is the sun. This is mainly because the melanin - the substance which gives that dark color of the skin - is produced in larger quantities when the skin is excessively exposed to sun. The areas which are more affected by the sun are the face, the shoulders and upper arms, the back and the chest. In these areas brown spots are dark patches are more prone to appear because they come much often in contact with the harmful rays of sun, thus stimulating the excessive production of melanin.

2. Hormonal imbalances
Another cause which leads to brown spots is hormonal imbalance. Many women have been faced with this problem during or immediately after pregnancy, while others have had brown spots after treatments with different quantities of estrogen.

3. Age
Time is merciless and in addition to leaving deep traces of its passage on the skin, it can also cause the apparition of brown spots on the skin. There are many people who have not had any brown spots all their lives, but as time passed by and they reached old ages their skin has become invaded by brown spots.

4. Bruises, acne or rashes
Bruises, different wounds or rashes can leave marks on the skin. Even though scars are more often in these cases, there are also situations in which bruises or wounds do not heal completely, but rather leave behind anesthetic brown spots or marks. Acne is also a source of brown spots, especially when the pimples or blackheads are picked at continuously or when no appropriate treatment is used.