What are brown spots?
Brown spots—also referred to as freckles, age spots, lentigos, liver spots, warts, or keratoses—go by many names and can appear anywhere on your skin. These blemishes are more common in older patients, but they can occur in younger people as well. While they may sometimes resemble skin cancer, this type of brown spot is not dangerous and does not require treatment.
Although they don’t pose a threat to your health, many patients express that the brown spots contribute to a more aged appearance. Fortunately, these spots can almost always be improved, if not completely diminished. Our team offers multiple treatment options to provide a more even skin tone.
How are brown spots treated?
There are a number of treatments and precautions used to address brown spots and discoloration in the skin. These include:
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
- Fading creams with topical agents such as hydroquinone, arbutin, kojic acid, retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids, and azelaic acid.
- Chemical peels, which use a chemical solution to smooth out and improve the tone and texture of the skin. Many peel solutions incorporate lightening agents that can fade and even “peel off” dark spots.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, which sends pulses of broad-spectrum light energy to the target area, to improve the appearance of the brown spot.
- Cryotherapy, a type of cold therapy that can freeze and destroy brown spots.
- Microdermabrasion, which exfoliates the top layer of skin and can help reduce the appearance of dark spots.
- Laser skin resurfacing safely uses lasers to resurface the skin and fade or get rid of brown spots.
Schedule a consultation at your nearest Sanova Dermatology location today to learn more about getting rid of brown age spots.
THE TREATMENTS BELOW CAN HELP WITH BROWN AGE SPOTS: