A brown spot on the skin may be a beauty mark to some people or an ugly mole to others. A number of brown spots may be cute freckles to some, but awful age spots to others. However you perceive them, spots on the skin can take a variety of forms and have a number of causes. Knowing exactly what you have can help you decide what you want to do--if you want to do anything at all.
Types
There are many kinds of brown spots, according to the medical information website Wrong Diagnosis. Among them are age spots, moles and birthmarks. If any spot on your skin looks unusual, consult your dermatologist.
Liver Spots
Sometimes brown spots are liver spots, according to the Mayo Clinic. They are commonly called age spots, lentigines or lentigos. They are speckled and flat and caused by overexposure to the sun.
Treatments
If your brown spots are the result of hyperpigmentation, such as that caused by sun exposure, skin-lightening creams may be the best solution. Chemical peels or lotions that contain ingredients such as retinol or glycolic acid can help fade these dark spots over time and encourage an even skin tone. If you have darker skin, you may experience lightened pigment all over your skin, so consult a dermatologist before pursuing this form of treatment.
Moles
Sometimes a brown spot is a mole that's malignant and requires a doctor's attention. This should not be a cause for immediate worry, as moles are generally very easy to remove. The National Cancer Institute says that any odd-looking moles, or moles that grow or have dark black spots in them should be checked by a doctor.
Prevention
Because most brown spots are acquired over time, they are typically the result of sun exposure. To prevent the development of brown spots or liver spots, wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen whenever you go outside. If you already have brown spots, you can prevent the formation of new ones and keep them from becoming darker by wearing sunscreen.
Member Comments