Non Invasive Treatments for Brown Spots

Posted on: November 20th, 2015 by California Skin Institute

If you’ve noticed brown spots on your skin, you’re not alone. Although such spots can be symptoms of skin cancer or other serious health conditions, in many cases they are cosmetic issues that occur from years of skin damage. Brown spots are a common problem faced by many individuals, and are often caused by UV radiation. However, the good news is that such issues can be treated with minimally-invasive procedures.* In fact, the expert providers at California Skin Institute help patients get rid of brown spots almost on a daily basis.*

How Brown and Red Spots Form

One of the main causes of red or brown spots on the face is the UV radiation present in sun rays. During sun exposure, the skin produces melanin, a skin pigment that works to neutralize the radiation and prevent skin damage.

However, in some cases, the pigment will begin to cluster in one area, thus leading to the development of a brown or red spot.

Although such spots can be frustrating, California Skin Institute providers can target them with advanced technologies, like the Excel V laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy.*

Excel V Laser for Brown Spots

The Excel V laser is one of many state-of-the-art devices that can be used by California Skin Institute providers to get rid of brown spots.*

This laser works by delivering energy into the skin, which targets and damages some of the offending structures.* For example, in addition to breaking down excess skin pigment, the Excel V laser is also often used to reduce the appearance of spider veins.*

During treatment, you will be given protective eyewear, and your provider will use a special laser applicator to deliver bursts of energy to parts of the skin.* This energy will then be absorbed by the specific structures (like melanin-containing cells or dilated blood vessels), which will be damaged and eventually removed by the body’s own natural processes.*

After treatment, some patients will experience mild redness or irritation.*

However, it’s important to note that the Excel V laser is different from laser skin resurfacing.* During resurfacing, brown spots are treated by vaporizing some of the skin cells at the treatment site.* The Excel V laser, on the other hand, is used to specifically target skin cells with excess melanin.*

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

Treatments with IPL devices can be used for a number of issues, including the treatment of brown spots, wrinkles, and broken blood vessels, among others.*

IPL technology is very versatile, and your California Skin Institute provider can focus the treatment on brown or red spots by using specialized filters, which narrow the light wavelengths emitted by the device.*

As the light penetrates the skin, it is absorbed by melanin, which is broken down and carried out of the body via the lymphatic system.*

For best outcomes, a typical California Skin Institute patient will need multiple IPL treatments, as the IPL devices are meant to provide gradual improvement with no down time.*

Working with and Expert

One of the best ways to achieve aesthetically-pleasing outcomes with laser and light technologies is to work with a highly-trained expert, because although the Excel V laser and IPL treatments can be highly effective, they can also cause hypopigmentation if not used properly.* Our providers are experts in the field, and have been extensively trained to target dark spots while minimizing potential side effects.*

If you’d like to learn more about minimally-invasive treatments for brown and red spots, please schedule a consultation with one of our providers.* Simply call a California Skin Institute practice near you, or fill out the Contact Form!

*Individual results may vary and are not guaranteed.