It’s this time of year that I am asked quite often: “How do I get rid of these brown spots!?” 
Whether you call it a freckle, age spot, sun spot or a liver spot, it’s all the same animal: HYPERPIGMENTATION. This dreaded, spotty darkening of the skin is caused by increased melanin production – a direct result of increased UV or sun exposure. The melanin in your skin is produced by melanocytes, located in the epidermis layer of the skin. When these melanocytes are stimulated by UV light, the areas in the skin that are denser will form hyperpigmentation. Over a lifetime of aging and exposure to the sun, we see these brown spots occur. Even though sun exposure is the number one cause for hyperpigmentation, there are other ways it can form as well. Injuries to the skin like a burn or acne vulgaris can also leave hyperpigmentation behind. There are also some skin disorders that can cause pigment change. One of the most common is melasma (aka: chloasma)- patchy hyperpigmentation usually seen in pregnant women. Some women will also notice melasma after they start taking birth control pills. It seems like melasma is the hardest pigment disorder of all to treat, in the sense that the pigment lies deeper in the skin.
Which leads me to the magic question- how do you get rid of hyperpigmentation?
My first recommendation, which is the fastest and closest to a permanent solution is through Broadband Light (BBL™) therapy. BBL™ or Photo Rejuvenation Therapy is also called ‘pulsed light’ therapy. A device similar to a laser produces wavelengths of light that heat the layers of skin and target unwanted melanin. BBL™ is our most popular clinical treatment because it works extremely well for most skin types. There is very little down time and fairly rapid results. Plus you get the added benefit of stimulating skin cells and generating new collagen. (The more collagen, the tighter the skin!) Now BBL is not for everyone, unfortunately. Individuals with darker skin tones such as African American, Middle Eastern, or Hispanic skin types may be better off using a topical skin lightener. Yes, there are many over the counter products for lightening the skin, which is what makes it so hard to know which one is the right one. These specific ingredients are those you want to look for: hydroquinone, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), tretinion (retinol) and even licorice root. All of these ingredients are great for helping aid in the lightening of hyperpigmentation. Your results will depend on the percentage of the ingredients in the product and how often you may have to use it. Many of my patients undertake both BBL™ & a topical lightening product for the maximum benefit. Additionally, prescription-strength lightening agents such as TriLuma Cream (a combination treatment) are very popular with our patients.
Whichever treatment you decide is right for you, please remember one critically important thing… Don’t forget to wear your SPF DAILY! Rain or shine- protect your investment by protecting your skin. I always tell my patients, the more religious you are about wearing daily SPF, the less you are going to see of me!
Kimberly Ross, LE
Aesthetician
(317) 814 4100 Ology at Clarian North
(317) 217 2200 Ology at Clarian West
