Brown and Red Spots

As our skin ages, it is very common to develop brown and red spots. There are many different types of brown spots. Being able to identify the type of brown spot will determine the best treatment choice. This is where Dr. Noll can help. Below is a list of all of the different treatments we offer for brown and red spots, but don’t worry about knowing which treatment is best. Dr. Noll will help you with that.

Hyfrecation or electrosurgery uses a pencil-like device with a needle-sized tip to precisely deliver pulses of electricity that can be used to remove certain brown and red spots from the surface of the skin. The treated spots will often turn into a scab. The scab will fall off once the skin underneath heals usually within 1-2 weeks.

Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze some brown spots. It is often used to treat growths that are not cancerous like seborrheic keratosis (also called wisdom spots, age spots, and barnacles) and warts. Treated spots often turn into scabs which fall off in 1-2 weeks.

Some brown spots can be removed through chemical exfoliation. The chemical solution penetrates the outer layer of the skin forcing cellular turnover. As the skin turns over, the top layer of skin peels off taking with it the pigmentation and revealing refreshed skin. Peeling typically occurs from days 3-7 after the peel is applied. Some brown spots will require multiple peels. Lightening creams and sunscreen are recommended.

Some spots are best removed by surgical removal. Shave removal is a minor procedure that is done under local anesthesia. These growths are shaved at the base at skin level and take approximately two weeks to heal.

We have several laser and light treatments that can specifically target brown and red spots. These treatments are often more precise and may have added benefits like collagen stimulation. Multiple treatments may be needed if the pigment is located deeper than one treatment can reach. It is recommended that lightening creams and sunscreen be a regular part of the skincare routine when treating brown spots. 

We call using products “Protecting Your Investment.” We carry several skincare products that are clinically proven to lighten and prevent dark spots. We highly recommend incorporating these products into your skincare routine. They will help you get to your results faster and keep them longer. Aging never stops. Let our knowledgeable staff help you find the perfect product for you. 

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or grayish patches to appear on the face, usually on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. It’s more common in women, often related to hormonal changes during pregnancy or the use of birth control pills. As it darkens easily with sun exposure, many patients seek treatment after recent sun exposure.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that sunscreen alone will prevent the darkening of melasma when the skin is exposed to the sun. While sunscreens protect the skin from skin cancer, slow aging, and pigmentation, they do not completely prevent melasma and other brown spots from getting darker. In addition to a sunscreen that contains zinc or titanium and has a minimum SPF of 30, it is also advised that patients with melasma and other brown spots sun protect with hats, umbrellas, shades, and anything that prevents the sun’s rays from hitting the face and body. When spending time near water or reflective surfaces like bleachers, it is also advised to wear protective clothing like a face bandana or neck gaiter. Melasma is very sensitive to sun exposure and darkens quickly. Reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours is also recommended.

While there is not currently a cure for melasma, there are several effective treatments that can improve the appearance of melasma and prevent recurrence. We recommend a combined approach when it comes to treating melasma. We recommend chemical peels to lift the visible pigment, PicoGenesis laser treatments to decrease recurrence and prescription and over-the-counter products that help patients see results faster and keep results longer.  

Sun exposure can be divided into two categories, intentional and unintentional. Intentional sun exposure is when patients plan on spending extended periods in the sun like going to sporting events or going to the beach. Unintentional sun exposure is the sun exposure that happens from activities of daily living like driving in the car and walking from the car to the building. All of this counts as sun exposure. Notice how the left side of the face, the driving side, in this country, typically has more and darker pigment when compared to the right side of the face. Patients often don’t realize that they must also protect their skin from unintentional sun exposure.