For years—decades even—achieving that highly sought after sun-kissed skin was the ultimate goal for summer. Movies and magazines depicted a perfect, golden tan that people obtained through hours in the sun and endless reapplications of suntan lotion and oil.
What they didn’t show? The downsides of not protecting your skin against the sun—which usually appear later in life.
At Avie Med Spa + Laser Center, clients come to us looking for a solution to brown spots that have developed on their skin. These darker areas of pigment develop due to too much sun exposure without protection. Unlike a tan, which is temporary, they linger permanently unless you take a proactive approach to treating them.
In this article, we’re breaking down your options for the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County. But first, let’s take a moment to address what these pigmented spots are.
What Are Brown Spots?
Brown spots are flat, darkened patches of skin that appear on areas of your body that have been exposed to the sun, including:
- Face/Head
- Shoulders
- Hands
- Arms
- Legs
- Neck
These spots are a form of hyperpigmentation that vary in appearance depending on your skin type and tone, taking on either a tan, brown, or black color.
Brown spots often cause confusion, so let’s address common questions before we discuss the treatment process.
How Does Sun Exposure Cause Brown Spots?
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun trigger and accelerate the production of melanin (your skin’s pigment), which is why, when you tan, your skin appears darker. Although it seems harmless, a suntan inflames and harms your skin, damaging it. Often, it takes years to see the negative effects.
Brown spots differ from a suntan. They form when melanin is highly concentrated and clumps together instead of spreading out evenly.
Not all brown spots appear from sun exposure; some people who have gone through radiation therapy may also develop areas of darker pigment.
What’s the Difference Between Brown Spots and Age Spots?
There is no difference. Brown spots and age spots are the same thing, as well as liver spots and solar lentigines, which can cause a bit of confusion. That’s why, in your search for the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County, you may have come across these other names for this type of hyperpigmentation.
Is Melasma Also Considered a Brown Spot?
Melasma, also known as a “black spot,” refers to another skin disorder that causes flat patches of pigment. These spots range in color from light to dark brown patches on the skin. They usually appear on your face but can also be found on the forearms.
Unlike brown spots, hormones play a major role in the formation of melasma. In fact, 90% of people with melasma are women.
Given that information, it is understood that estrogen and progesterone likely impact these spots. So, if you developed these dark spots after starting birth control or during pregnancy, it’s probable that your estrogen levels increased.
While they are different, we can still help manage melasma. There is no cure for this skin condition since it’s driven by hormones, but our team at Avie! can help you identify the triggers and avoid them as much as possible. We also combine laser and light treatments with topical products to help make them less obvious.
Are Freckles Brown Spots?
Yes—and no. This is another area of confusion when clients ask about the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County. There are 2 types of freckles, and brown spots are considered one of them.
The other type is called ephelides, often associated with childhood and fade with age.
The Best Treatment for Brown Spots
The truth is, there isn’t a universal best treatment for brown spots. Just like all skin care products and services, it requires customizing and tailoring each treatment to each patient’s unique needs.
With that being said:
We believe that laser and light treatments are the best option for brown spots for the right candidate.
Lasers and lights can reverse sun damage with minimal downtime. We have 3 devices available to minimize brown spots. Not all treatments work the same on everyone’s skin, so our goal is to always find the right option for you.
→ You may have considered chemical peels to be our top recommendation for brown spot reduction. Learn more about why we prefer laser skin rejuvenation over peels in this article.
Sciton Technology for Brown Spots
All of our laser and light devices are from Sciton, and we feel confident saying it is the best manufacturer of laser and light devices. Why? Because Results Matter.
Sciton’s mission aims to improve patients’ lives through high-performance devices that deliver visible, long-lasting results. There may not be an answer to what is the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County, but there is an answer to the best technology for brown spots; and that’s Sciton.
BBL HEROic
The BBL HEROic device is not a laser but it still uses powerful light therapy to reduce brown spots. This is the latest and greatest in BBL/Photofacial/IPL technology, giving faster and quicker results with no downtime.
BBL stands for broadband light, a type of photofacial that applies intense flashes of both broad-spectrum visible light and infrared light to target:
- Brown spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin laxity
- Acne
- Uneven skin tone
- Redness and rosacea
This light therapy uses specific wavelengths to damaged skin cells or areas of excess melanin, breaking them apart and delivering clearer, brighter skin. Not only does it improve the appearance of your skin, it also boosts collagen production, working internally to improve the health of your skin.
A new Stanford University study shows BBL treatments have a rejuvenating effect on skin at a cellular level. This suggests that your cells function similarly to younger skin cells, not merely appearing so.
The BBL HEROic requires no downtime, with initial results in 1 to 2 weeks, and full results after 3 to 5 sessions.
MOXI
MOXI is a gentle, fractional and non-ablative laser that breaks down excess melanin and only targets the top layer of skin (epidermis). We may determine that this is the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County for you if you are also worried about melasma.
This device targets micro-coagulation zones on your skin, causing the water in your cells to absorb the heat and trigger your body’s healing process to improve the following:
- Brown spots
- Melasma
- Uneven skin tone
- Prejuvenation
- Reduce Pore size
- Fine lines and wrinkles
With its gentle and light resurfacing benefits, we recommend MOXI for anyone looking to be proactive in their skincare approach. Although brown spots typically appear in your 40s or 50s, you can reduce the risk of developing them later in life by using Moxi as a “prejuvenation” treatment. Because it’s safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types all year long.
MOXI also boasts minimal downtime with initial results seen in as little as 1 week. Please note, because melasma is a chronic condition, patients will need ongoing treatment to manage it.
Halo
Last, but certainly not least, we recommend the HALO for laser skin resurfacing. We may decide that this is the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County for those with severe sun damage. The Halo uses both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to remove the top layer of skin. This stimulates collagen production by penetrating to the middle layer of skin (dermis) where this protein is found.
Halo gives you new skin on the surface and a beautiful Halo-like glow. We recommend HALO as a laser treatment for sun damage to improve the following:
- Brown spots
- Uneven texture
- Redness
- Acne scarring
- Fine lines and deep wrinkles
HALO will give you noticeable results, but expect at least a week of social downtime.
Stacking Your Treatments
For best results, we may recommend stacking your treatments. BBL works well with both MOXI and HALO to reverse sun damage and improve skin tone and texture. We can discuss which combination will work best for you during your consultation.
Why Choose Avie! Med Spa + Lasers
The owner and founder of Avie!, Kim Marinetto, has the same mission as Sciton: to improve client’s lives. Kim has dedicated over 15 years of her life to helping patients rediscover their natural beauty. Not only does she have the experience, but she also continues to learn more about the aesthetics world.
As an active member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses, and the American MedSpa Association, she has worked with several manufacturers and has determined that Sciton truly delivers on its promises. With that knowledge, she can determine which device will provide you with the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County.
Her commitment to excellence is seen in her devoted clientele, an abundance of positive Google reviews, and impressive before and after results. Kim carefully chose devices that mitigate side effects and risks because, as an educated provider, she makes sure you’re receiving the best results.
But patient results aren’t even the full picture! If you want to learn more about the commitment to patient experience and care, read this article from American MedSpa Association. This highlights how Kim and her team make people feel comfortable and like friends more than patients.
Reduce Brown Spots and Age Gracefully at Avie!
While we’ve established that there is not a specific option for the best treatment for brown spots on face in Loudoun County, there is a single best decision: come to Avie!
To get started, you can try our treatment planning tool from the comfort of your own home. Once we receive your submission, a member of our team will reach out to you with appointment times and potential treatment options.
Otherwise, you can start the process at our spa, where our staff will warmly welcome you.
