Brown Spots
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, our board-certified dermatologists treat 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).
What Should I Expect From Brown Spot Treatment?
Each type of treatment for brown spots is unique, so we recommend you have a personalized consultation with Dr. Waibel to learn more about your brown spot and the anticipated results of treatment. She may also recommend changes to your lifestyle to reduce your chances of developing new brown spots in the future. Some therapies such as PDT can treat brown spots and decrease 80% of future skin cancers.
Am I A Good Candidate For Brown Spot Treatment?
Some brown spots resolve on their own, such as those that develop during pregnancy and menopause. A brown spot may – in some cases – indicate a serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment so we encourage you to schedule a consultation so that she can evaluate your brown spots.
Most brown spots are only cosmetic concerns, but some serious medical conditions cause brown spots on the skin. An examination by a board-certified dermatologist is the best way to understand the nature of your brown spots, as well as treatment options. The board-certified dermatologists at Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute offer men and women in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Kendall and surrounding communities in Florida treatments for brown spots. To learn more about our treatments for brown spots, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
