What Can I Do About The Spots on My Face and Skin?

After a summer in the sun, you may have noticed an increase in dark or brown spots on your face, neck, chest and hands. "What can I do about these spots?" you may ask.

There are several options. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is one option that involves the use of short pulses of light to dissipate pigmentation in the skin, alleviate facial redness, and shrink dilated blood vessels. The light from the IPL wand does not contain UV (ultraviolet) components and the treatment does not pose any danger to the epidermis or hair germ cells. Depending on the extent of the effected areas, treatment can last from 20 to 30 minutes and may require multiple sessions. Treatments are typically scheduled three to four weeks apart. Patients who have the procedure can return to normal activities right away.

After the procedure the treated skin may appear pink. Some experience a mild to moderate “sunburn” feeling lasting from two to 24 hours. Cool compresses may be applied. Brown spots will darken and become flaky before exfoliation. This usually can be covered using light makeup. Other options may include skin care products with ingredients like Retinoid, Hydroquinone, Glycolic acid and Kojic acid.