What Can I Do to Get Rid of the Brown Spots and Sun Damage I Got Over the Summer?
If the allure of warmer temperatures got you outdoors over these recent summer months, you may notice signs of that on your skin. Tanning looks nice in the short term, but sun damage can create permanent brown spots that leave an uneven tone and age your skin. In this blog, the skin experts at Grossmont Dermatology explain why these spots form and what you can do to make your pigmentation more even.
How Does the Sun Cause Brown Spots?
When you are exposed to UV rays from the sun (or a tanning bed), this speeds the production of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its natural color. Brown spots can appear in areas where excess melanin has concentrated, especially after years of sun damage. This phenomenon is better known as hyperpigmentation. It typically occurs on parts of your body that you may not always cover with clothing, like the face, neck, hands, arms, shoulders, and chest.
Although hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, dark spots can also be a sign of cancer, so you may want to have a dermatologist look at a spot that seems suspicious, particularly if it is on the face.
Treating Sun Damage
Fortunately, restoring a more even skin tone is possible with innovative skin treatments. Our team recommends fractional lasers like Active FX, Total FX, M22 Laser, and GentleMax Pro, which are laser treatments that resurface your skin. By focusing on a small amount of tissue, the laser helps to reveal more youthful skin beneath the surface that has a more even pigmentation.
Another great option is photofacial IPL therapy. This procedure specifically targets cells that generate melanin. Overactive pigmentation cells are destroyed, and the darker-color flakes off the surface of the skin over time. Underneath, you can see skin with a more even, youthful coloring. Although both fractional lasers and IPL have short downtimes, IPL’s recovery is significantly easier.
For optimal results, you may wish to undergo multiple sessions of these treatments. Our experts can recommend an appropriate course of treatment that corresponds with your cosmetic goals and the extent of sun damage on your skin.
Make a Consultation
After a summer of unavoidable sun exposure, why not address the damage and brown spots with a proven procedure? Our skin care professionals in La Mesa, CA are happy to help patients achieve glowing, healthier-looking skin without the need for surgery. To schedule a consultation, please call (619) 462-1670.
