Benign Brown Spots (Lentigos)
These are flat brown marks, usually at cheeks and forehead, that are larger than freckles and develop due to sun exposure and air pollution.
There are many types of benign brown spots. The most common are also called age spots or liver spots with the most common causes being excessive sun exposure and air pollution. The technical name for these brown spots are either freckles or lentigines. They can be bothersome as they are easily visible on the face it may be difficult to cover up completely with makeup.
Other marks that can look similar to these include moles, melasma, and pigmentation after inflammation (also known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
Moles, in contrast, are due to aggregates of pigment forming cells called melanocytes. These group together at the lower part of the upper skin layer (epidermis) or the mid skin layer (dermis) and sometimes can involves both of the above. Depending on the density of the aggregated cells and layer of involvement, these can be flat or elevated. Colour can range from hues of brown to skin coloured depending on the intensity of pigmentation within these melanocytes.
Healthy Image can help to distinguish between the different types of spots that can lead to pigmentation.
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Treatment Options For Benign Brown Spots
Topical Treatments
Over-the-counter creams and lotions containing ingredients such as hydroquinone, retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), or vitamin C can help lighten and fade brown spots over time. These treatments work by inhibiting melanin production and promoting skin cell turnover.
Laser Therapy
Various types of lasers, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) or fractional lasers, can target and break down melanin pigment in brown spots without damaging the surrounding skin. Laser therapy can be effective for more stubborn or deeply pigmented spots.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to the skin to remove the top layers, promoting the growth of new, smoother skin. Peels containing ingredients like glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), salicylic acid or combinations (Jessner’s solution) can help reduce the appearance of brown spots.
Cryotherapy
This treatment involves freezing the brown spots with liquid nitrogen, causing the pigment-containing cells to die and eventually slough off. Cryotherapy is a quick and relatively painless procedure commonly used for small brown spots.
Hydrafacial™
Hydrafacial™ uses Vortex Fusion technology to deeply cleanse and exfoliate with a gentle peel to uncover a new layer of skin, removes impurities from pores with a painless gentle suction, and saturates the skin’s surface with moisturizers and antioxidants.
Fraxel®
Fraxel® is a laser treatment designed to rejuvenate the skin, resulting in a smoother, fresher, and younger-looking appearance. It targets various skin concerns such as improving tone and texture, reducing brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, pre-cancer spots, and enhancing the appearance of acne scars and surgical scars.
Excel V+™
Excel V+ Laser is a versatile treatment addressing benign vascular, cutaneous, and pigmented lesions by selectively targeting hemoglobin and melanin without harming surrounding tissue.
It’s important to note that while these treatments can be effective in reducing the appearance of spots, they may require multiple sessions or combinations of treatments for optimal results.
It’s important to also protect the skin from further sun damage by wearing sunscreen daily and avoiding prolonged sun exposure.
Consulting with a us at Healthy Image can help determine the most suitable treatment approach based on individual skin type and the severity of the brown spots.
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