What is the Best Effective Treatment to Remove Brown Age Spots on Medium Brown Skin Tone

Question

I am Indian descent - Medium brown complexion, I have age spots on both of my cheeks about 4 inches in measurements on each cheek. I know that people with darker skin have to be more careful when treating this but are there any effective treatments that have been used and worked on people with colour?

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

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Hyperpigmentation can ruin your skin and can be caused by either PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), melasma, age or sun spots, and chronic inflammation.  Starting treatment is easy with topical creams; followed by laser and light therapy. I would use a combination skincare protocol that includes topical Melarase creams first, followed by a combination of light fractional laser, depigmenting lasers and IPL, vascular pulsed dye laser, and Covalent peels. 
  
Recommended Creams: Melarase Brightening Kit
  
MelaClenz
  Melarase AM
  Melarase PM
  Melapads
  Replenish Retinoid Cream
  Best, 
  
Dr. Karamanoukian
  
Realself100 Surgeon

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

Fraxel Dual is the best treatment to remove pigmentation issues on darker skin. It uses two wavelengths, the 1550nm and the 1927nm. Wavelengths in the longer range are safer for warmer skin tones because the melanin pigment does not absorb this energy very easily. Therefore there is less chance for lower layers of the skin to become overheated and scar. The laser works to break up excess pigment which is then removed by the body's elimination system. Here is a video of an Asian patient who had her brown spots treated with Fraxel Dual.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

It is very wise to be educated on your skin tone and color. If you have medium brown skin tone then the laser treatments will not usually be the best ones for you. It may take longer with chemical peel and Retinoids and hydroquinones, but it will be safer and more effective. You can also use other topicals such as Vitamin C serum and other anti-aging serums to safely lighten up your complexion. Please find a board certified dermatologist who has a lot of experience with cosmetic dermatology.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

You probably have melasma on your cheeks rather than age spots. The diagnosis can be confirmed by a dermatologist. A combination of fading ingredients containing tretinoin and hydroquinone, sun protection, and light chemical peels can all help fade the pigment.

Channing R. Barnett, MD · Answer

A topical regimen combining topical tretinoin (RetinA) cream and hydroquinone 4% cream, both of which are prescription-strength medications, can be very effective for lightening brown spots and brown discoloration in darker skin types. Chemical peeling (done appropriately and conservatively) can be helpful as well, when done by a well-trained professional who respects darker skin types. And most importantly, strict sun avoidance is essential as sun will only darken these spots and work against the treatments or topicals that are trying to improve the spots.

David Finkle, MD · Answer

There are many excellent skin care products available for your problem.  Please consult a skin care specialist for the best choice. 
Good Luck!

Anatoli Freiman, MD · Answer

We've had great success with Obagi Nu-Derm system for treatment of melasma and dark pigmentation especially in patients with darker skin types

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

First, make sure a skin expert such as a dermatologist ascertains the type and depth of pigmentation you have, and potential triggers for it (e.g. sun, birth control pill, pregnancy, other medicines). Because of the risk of problems with lasers in dark skin, I'd likely first try a fading or bleaching cream formulation or system with hydroquinone, tretinoin, steroid, &/or vitamin C.

Mark Taylor, MD · Answer

On the face I like IPL, TCA or Fraxel Dual.  On the body I like long-pulse Alexandrite Laser.  There are other options as well.  These work the best for me.

What is the Best Effective Treatment to Remove Brown Age Spots on Medium Brown Skin Tone

Answers (13)

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