Best Treatment for Brown Spots on Legs, Arms, and Hands?

Question

I have brown spots on my legs, arms, and a few on my hands. I don't tan anymore in tanning beds, but do like to use the self-tanning lotions. My problem is that the self-tanners also make the spots even darker. What's the best treatment for getting rid of these spots?

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  This is a very common problem.  We treat aging skin with age spots, sun damage or hyper-pigmented lesions with a combination of Silk Peel dermalinfusion with IPL photofacial and a topical skincare regimen.  With the Silk Peel we use an infusible serum called Lumixyl (decapeptide 10).  The Silk Peel removes the top layers of the skin while Lumixyl infusion potently blocks melanin production.  We then use IPL to directly attack the pigmented lesions with light energy.  These treatments can then be combined with topical skincare (Lumixyl topical as an example) to give the best and highly effective results.  
Best of Luck,
Dr. Paul Flashner

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment is very beneficial for making acne scars diminish, removing age spots, increases collagen and elasticity production.  This is done by removing deeper layers of damaged skin and stimulating the regeneration of healthy skin underneath. This treatment is also beneficial for uneven pigmentation, photodamage, fine lines and wrinkles, precancerous spots, and a host of other skin imperfections and benign lesions. If you believe you may be a candidate for CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment, a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist can carefully analyze your skin and determine if the procedure is right for you

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

There are a variety of treatment options for brown spots on the legs, arms, and hands.  Liquid nitrogen may be a good options as well as lasers and/or peels.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Age spots can be frozen off with liquid nitrogen, peeled off with TCA peels or burned off with electrofulguration or lasers. All work good but usually need to be done every few yrs and is easy for your dermatologist to do. OTC creams and prescription bleaching creams are almost worthless and time consuming. Sincerely, David Hansen,MD

Best Treatment for Brown Spots on Legs, Arms, and Hands?

Answers (6)

Answer: Brown spots

Answer: Brown spots

Answer: Lightly burning off the dark spots is the most precise way to have them removed and is easy.

Answer: Lightly burning off the dark spots is the most precise way to have them removed and is easy.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Best Treatment for Brown Spots on Legs, Arms, and Hands?

Answers (6)

Answer: Brown spots

Answer: Brown spots

Answer: Lightly burning off the dark spots is the most precise way to have them removed and is easy.

Answer: Lightly burning off the dark spots is the most precise way to have them removed and is easy.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.