Age spots, sunspots, hyperpigmentation, freckles, melasma, skin discoloration – whichever name you choose for those little brown patches, it can be a very troubling condition. Brown spots can be caused from UV sun exposure, heat, overuse of chemical peels, excessive picking at blemishes, injury to the skin, prescription medication, pregnancy, aging, birth control pills and more.
Depending on how deep your brown spots are, there are many solutions for treatment but first you need to identify the depth of the problem.
Try this simple test:
In a well-lit room, after you have cleansed your hands and face, gently stretch the area that is discolored.
–If skin appears lighter than when the skin is at rest, the pigmentation is close to the surface and is considered superficial
–If it appears darker than when the skin is at rest, the pigmentation lies in the deepest, dermal layers and will be more challenging to treat
For superficial pigmentation: You can accelerate the fading process with topical skin lighteners, exfoliating acids and calming antioxidants. Because the problem is close to the surface, fading should occur over time with cellular turnover…
For deeper discoloration: In addition to the above recommendations, you should consult with a skin professional for peels or laser therapy. These treatments can accelerate the fading process more rapidly than home care products alone. Did you know that chemical peels are best performed from November-May? Read why.
Read more about How To Prevent Summer Sun Spots
Read: Causes And Treatments For Brown Spots
As always, prevention is the best medicine. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen like Renée Rouleau Daily Protection SPF 30 or Age Defense Moisturizer SPF 30 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and are both ideal for sensitive skin.
Which skin care products are best for you? See our nine skin types or take the Skin Type Quiz and get products recommended.
Need expert advice from a licensed esthetician? Schedule a virtual consultation to get customized advice in person, over the phone or online via Skype or FaceTime.
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Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
Comments:
Hi Renee,
When I was a kid I had this brown spot on my forehead about the size of a small pea. As I got older, it along with many of my cute freckles disappeared. Today, I looked at my skin under a skin scope and the spot is actually still there. Why did the spot disappear as I aged… but not really? And why do freckles seem so go away as children grow?
Thank you so much!
Kristen
Posted By: Kristen |
I have a brown spot on top of my lips. It started after sun exposure and it got darker because I am using birth control (nuvaring).I consider the damage superficial. What do u recommend since I have tried lots of things and nothing seems to help??And how can I purchase it. hanks for the info!
Posted By: Laura |
Hi Laura,
I’d have to say that one of the most frustrating skin conditions for women is developing brown patches of skin pigment above your lip. What causes it? The brown spots are often caused by hormonal changes from taking birth control pills. The other areas of the face that can get brown spots due to birth control pills are the forehead and lower cheeks. Usually they are very gradual to appear, so many people don’t even realize it’s happening until they look in the rear view mirror and notice it—and the rear view mirror never lies. Talk to your doctor about changing your dosage and this can help it disappear over time. You can also speed up the fading process by treating the area to a combination of exfoliation and a gentle skin lightener.
Along with a good sunscreen, our Vitamin C&E Treatment should be worn daily and you can find it here. https://www.reneerouleau.com/VitaminCEComplex.aspx Then, use an exfoliating acid serum at night. You can see the different ones we have here. https://www.reneerouleau.com/exfoliants.aspx To get the right exfoliating products recommended for your skin type, choose your skin type here. https://www.reneerouleau.com/Prescription.aspx This should really help a lot.
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |