Sun Spots and Pigmented Lesions
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| 725 Reservoir Avenue, Suite 1 Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 632-0800 |
Sun spots and pigmented lesions are caused by the release of melanin, a key component of our bodies defense
against sun exposure. This is why darker skin does not burn as easily as lighter skin and lighter skin is more
often affected by skin cancer. Spots can be found on the face, neck, hands, upper legs - any area most commonly
exposed to the sun.
For most, sun spots are strictly cosmetic. Unfortunately, pigmentation spots that appear unusual may be a form
of skin cancer or melanoma. We recommend having skin scans from your dermatologist once a year to locate and
suspicious lesions so they can be treated accordingly.
In cases where discolorations are not cancerous and don't cause negative effects on your skin health, the skin
can be lightened using various methods. If the spots cover a large area (usually on the face or upper lip), this is a
form of melasma, which can easily be treated with prescription strength topical creams and an SPF of 30 or higher
everyday. When the spots are smaller, more like lesions, laser treatments can help lighten the areas. After each
laser treatment, you will notice a darker spot, almost like a scab, eventually fall off and the skin underneath will
appear lighter. Several treatments may be necessary every six weeks to achieve the desired results.
Using sunscreen every day and avoiding any unnecessary sun exposure will not only prevent further damage but
also allow your skin to repair itself to an extent. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB
rays by looking for both physical (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) and chemical (avobenzone) sunscreens. Without
sunscreen, other methods of fading these spots will have little benefit since those treatments will not cancel out
your continuing exposure to the sun.
Before rushing ahead to fade these darkened patches, make sure you check with your dermatologist to rule out
melanoma completely. After using a topical ingredient to fade sun spots, you can also complement them with
cosmetic peels and/or laser treatments that may help expose newer skin cells by exfoliating the skin.
against sun exposure. This is why darker skin does not burn as easily as lighter skin and lighter skin is more
often affected by skin cancer. Spots can be found on the face, neck, hands, upper legs - any area most commonly
exposed to the sun.
For most, sun spots are strictly cosmetic. Unfortunately, pigmentation spots that appear unusual may be a form
of skin cancer or melanoma. We recommend having skin scans from your dermatologist once a year to locate and
suspicious lesions so they can be treated accordingly.
In cases where discolorations are not cancerous and don't cause negative effects on your skin health, the skin
can be lightened using various methods. If the spots cover a large area (usually on the face or upper lip), this is a
form of melasma, which can easily be treated with prescription strength topical creams and an SPF of 30 or higher
everyday. When the spots are smaller, more like lesions, laser treatments can help lighten the areas. After each
laser treatment, you will notice a darker spot, almost like a scab, eventually fall off and the skin underneath will
appear lighter. Several treatments may be necessary every six weeks to achieve the desired results.
Using sunscreen every day and avoiding any unnecessary sun exposure will not only prevent further damage but
also allow your skin to repair itself to an extent. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB
rays by looking for both physical (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) and chemical (avobenzone) sunscreens. Without
sunscreen, other methods of fading these spots will have little benefit since those treatments will not cancel out
your continuing exposure to the sun.
Before rushing ahead to fade these darkened patches, make sure you check with your dermatologist to rule out
melanoma completely. After using a topical ingredient to fade sun spots, you can also complement them with
cosmetic peels and/or laser treatments that may help expose newer skin cells by exfoliating the skin.