Prevention
Brown spots occur when melanin and skin breakdown components due to sun damage accumulate in the skin. To prevent brown spots, Dr. Macrene recommends using sun avoidance, sun protective clothing, and SPF or sun protection products with physical blockers and natural reflectors, such as the High Performance Tinted Moisturizer and Concealer. You can find many SPF products on the market, but before you choose a product, it is important to know that some may be benzene contaminated. Read more: Benzene Contamination Discovered in Sunscreens
Lasers
There are various types of laser treatments that can help reduce the appearance of brown spots. Dr. Macrene is a laser specialist and has hundreds of publications and discoveries in the fields of basic science and laser surgery to help treat brown spots. She recommends coming in for such treatments in the fall or wintertime — we get less sun exposure during the winter months, which is ideal for laser treatments because sun exposure and fake tanning should be avoided throughout the entire course of the treatment. To read more about the laser treatment of brown spots, see Dr. Macrene’s textbook, entitled Alexiades’s Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery.
Skincare
"Prescription lightening products such as hydroquinone can help reduce brown spots, but I do not recommend this unless you have a condition called Melasma," says Dr. Macrene. "In general, it's best to use skincare on a daily basis and laser treatment as a supplement if needed." Dr. Macrene's High Performance Serum is a powerful brightening serum that has been proven to lift, even the skin tone and reduce brown discolorations with organic plant-derived ingredients such as vitamin C, glucosamine, ergothioneine, arginine and amino acids.