How Can I Remove White Sun Spots?

Question

E. Victor Ross, MD · Answer

a very common problem and tough to treat (idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis)- generally- we use IPL to homogenize the color in the region  and then we can spot treat very carefully the white spots with an erbium YAG laser- a test post for a white spot is helpful!

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

Jordan Cain, MD · Answer

There are several conditions which can cause hypopigmentation, or white spots, on the skin. If these are truly related to sun damage, unfortunately there are not any good treatment options to replace the lost pigment in these areas. Sometimes, the use of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy can help reduce the darker color around the white spots in order to help them blend in with the surrounding skin, thus appearing less noticeable. I would recommend seeking evaluation with a board-certified dermatologist to establish the proper diagnosis in order to provide the appropriate treatment. In any case, it is always important to remember to use sunscreen daily in order to prevent further sun damage.
Best wishes,

J. Roberto Ramirez Gavidia, MD, FACS · Answer

The issue you are describing can have multiple diagnosis and each can be treated differently. It would be important to be check by a Certified Dermatologies. Some of the causes can be treated but specifically White Sun Spots (idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis), its a very difficult problem to treat currently there is no good treatment for it. I would recommend to you to use sunscreen regularly, specially living in Florida to prevent that type of lesion or other to continue to affect you skin. 
Hope this helps, 
Dr. RG

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Hypopigmentation from sun damage is challenging to treat. I would recommend consulting with a Board Certified Dermatologist for safest and best treatment options. I hope this helps.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

White sun spots may be a yeast infection called tinea versicolor or keratoses or burned out cells etc...  See your derm doc and they will fix you up.  sincerely,

	dr hansen

Jeffrey W. Hall, MD · Answer

White sun spots cannot be removed because they are a loss of pigment. The best thing to do is to try and fade the pigment around them.

Donna Bilu Martin, MD · Answer

White spots on the skin can be many things - several of them are mentioned above (tinea versicolor, seborrheic keratoses, vitiligo, etc). The sun can cause darkening of the skin (freckles or lentigines) as well as lightening of the skin. These white spots, or loss of pigment, are called idiopathic hypomelanosis. Although they cannot be reversed, using sunscreen is important to prevent further damage. A board certified dermatologist can evaluate the spots.

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

First, make sure to be evaluated by a dermatologist to assess whether you have a skin fungus called tinea versicolor. If the white spots are predominantly on the shins and forearms, then you have idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis which is a type of sun damage and is not correctable.

Anthony Perri, MD · Answer

It is very important to be evaluated by a board certified dermatologist to have a diagnosis rendered for the "white sun spots." There are many clinical entities which may appear as "white sun spots" ranging from macular hypopigmented seborrheic keratoses to idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. The former can be treated with liquid nitrogen whereas sun protection is necessary for the latter.

How Can I Remove White Sun Spots?

Answers (12)