Dark Spots/ Pigmentation

Darkened regions of the skin has many different causes secondary to acne, trauma, sun sensitivity, skin cancer. Several diseases and many drugs can occasionally cause photosensitivity. Among the common drugs responsible for photosensitivity are birth control pills, antibiotics (sulfonamides and tetracyclines), diuretics, nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), pain relievers and some psychiatric medications. Darkened spots on the skin come in several varieties. The most serious is malignant melanoma, a very aggressive cancer that begins as an innocent mole. The majority of moles (nevi) and dark spots are benign (harmless). Any dark spot that is either new or changing should be evaluated.