Brown spots on the skin indicate that the pigmentation is darker than the surrounding skin. The phrase “brown spots” is general, and these types of skin discolorations are related to many conditions. At Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, board-certified dermatologist, Jill Waibel, MD, FAAD, treats brown spots for men and women living all over the world.
What are Brown Spots?
The phrase “brown spots” is a broad term that is used to describe most types of darkened spots or areas of the skin. Freckles, moles and age spots [LINK] are some of the more common types of brown spots. Not all brown spots require medical attention, and treatment may be purely cosmetic in nature. Some brown spots may be due to an underlying condition or even be pre-cancer or skin cancer. It is important to see a board-certified dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
What Causes Brown Spots?
A brown spot on your skin indicates the area has a higher level of pigmentation than the surrounding skin. A brown spot may be flat or slightly raised.
How are Brown Spots Treated?
Treatment for brown spots is based on the nature of the irregular skin. If the hyperpigmentation only occurs on the surface of the skin, treatment will consist of removing the abnormal cells with chemical peels, and other laser resurfacing treatments. If the brown spot is a pre-cancerous lesion [LINK], treatment will focus on removing all the abnormal cells to prevent the lesion from developing into cancer. Most brown lesions are most effectively treated with lasers including Alexandrite, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Thulium, Microfractional, Ablative Fractional (AFL), or Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).
