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How Do I Get Rid of Sun Spots and Seborrheic Keratosis?

A couple of years ago, I had IPL (Elos) done on my brown spots and Seborrheic Keratosis. There was no improvement. The marks really annoy me and affect my confidence. I have tried various creams (Nimue, Simplicite) to no avail. I am seeing a dermotologist in a month's time. Do you have any suggestions on what products I can use and anything I should ask the dermotologist? What are your feelings on Hydroquinone and is it a steroid? (The photo submitted is serborheic kerotosis. I couldn't load the rest of the brown spots.)

Asked 36 months ago by Kiwi in New Zealand
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+2

Seborrheic Keratoses should be removed

It is in your best interest to have your dermatologist treat this and make sure it is not a lesion that requires a biopsy prior to treatment. The best method to definitively eliminate seborrheic Keratoses is to remove them. This can be accomplished by several different methods but in any event it will likely result in a wound which requires time to heal (usually 3-5 days). Hydroquinone does not treat these because the piogment is not melanin but heaped up layers of dead skin protein... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment of Brown Spots

First off, see a board-certified dermatologist to evaluate all of these brown spots and make sure that there is nothing else going on ... like a type of skin cancer. The likelihood is low, but still better to evaluate and make sure that none of these are the begining of skin cancer (e.g. lentigo maligna). Second, use a good broad-specturm sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater and get in the habit of doing things to decrease your ultraviolet exposure. This will decrease new ones from... more
Andrew Kaufman, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

How to treat sun spots and seborrheic keratoses

One of the most effective ways to reverse sunspots due to the effects of chronic sun damage to your skin is by using a combination of two prescription strength medications: 4% hydroquinone and tretinoin cream. Prescription strength 4% hydroquinone is not a steroid cream is better than any OTC product for lightening dark spots in the skin. These dark spots are typically due to chronic sun damage so daily use of sunscreens is essential in your treatment. Combining prescription-only tretinoin... more
Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Please see a board-certified dermatologist

The size of the seborrheic keratosis suggests to me that a biopsy should be done to confirm the benign nature of this lesion prior to any further cosmetic treatments. Please see a board-certified dermatologist. This is not meant to alarm you but is the most prudent course to follow. If it is confirmed to be benign, then freezing with liquid nitrogen can be done but they may induce permanent lightening in that area. Microdermabrasion or dermabrasion (sanding) can be done, or several chemical... more
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
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