Brown Spot Treatment

The spots are not cancerous, nor do they lead to cancer. However, on skin exposed to the sun, they may be accompanied by precancerous scaly, red elevations of the skin called actinic keratoses. Dark spots, which might be cancerous, may also appear to be lentigines. All of these blemishes should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

Although nothing can be done about the role heredity plays, excessive exposure to the sun should be avoided – a precaution that will diminish the threat of skin cancer as well as protect your skin from sun-damage. To moderate exposure, the skin should be protected by a sunscreen having minimum SPF of 30.

Treatment of liver spots is usually performed by the dermatologic surgeon in the office. Results can be permanent if a sunscreen is used continuously after removal.

Here are some common treatment approaches:

Sunscreens – The simplest treatment to protect the skin from further damage and worsening of the spots is use of a sunscreen. Sunscreen is also important after other treatment methods so the spots will not recur.

Bleaching Creams, Tretinoin and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids– These are topical applications prescribed by the physician to fade small spots. Treatment normally takes anywhere from two months to a year or longer.

Cryosurgery – The dermatologic surgeon freezes the skin tissue with liquid nitrogen to remove liver spots and skin growths.

Peeling – A chemical solution is applied to peel away the blemished skin. The face and hands usually heal in one to two weeks.

Dermabrasion – The skin is sanded lightly with a special instrument to remove the spot. Upon healing, which normally takes a week or so, the liver spot is gone.

Laser Surgery – New techniques with various lasers are used to remove the spots. A beam of laser light is directed at the liver spots to selectively eliminate the damaged skin.