Brown Spots Toronto
Erasing Undesirable Pigmentation
Melanin refers to the pigmentation in your skin, produced by cells called melanocytes. When the state of a melanocyte is compromised, melanin production is affected. The effect of UV exposure can cause melanin production to increase, and this is how brown spots on your skin develop. Our board-certified dermatologists can help you regain an even complexion with medically proven laser treatments and skincare.
The Visible Impact of Sun Damage
As you age, you may notice brown spots appearing on your face and body. Many of us call these sun spots, age spots or solar lentigos - and as the last name suggests, these are the direct result of sun damage. These brown spots may also be called liver spots, although they have nothing to do with the liver!
Brown spots are concentrations of pigment that can be irregular in shape, typically larger than freckles. We offer a variety of treatments and medical-grade skincare products to reduce and eliminate brown spots.
While brown spots may be dangerous, it can be difficult to distinguish those that are potentially cancerous. Our board-certified dermatologists have unparalleled expertise on the topic of skin cancer. We will examine your brown spots to ensure they are benign so you can be confident knowing that your skin is healthy.
Types of Pigmentation: Understanding Your Brown Spots
Not all brown spots are created equal, and identifying your specific type of pigmentation is crucial for selecting the most effective treatment approach.
Solar lentigines, also known as age spots or sun spots, represent the most prevalent type of brown pigmentation. These flat, well-defined brown patches result from cumulative UV exposure throughout your lifetime. Unlike freckles that darken with sun and fade in winter, solar lentigines persist year-round and progressively multiply with continued sun exposure. They typically appear on the face, hands, shoulders, and other chronically sun-exposed areas, usually emerging after the age of 40, although they can develop earlier in individuals with a significant history of sun exposure.
Freckles (ephelides) differ fundamentally from age spots despite their similar appearance. Actual freckles are genetic, appearing in childhood and fluctuating in response to sun exposure. They contain normal numbers of melanocytes (skin pigment cells) that simply produce more pigment in response to UV radiation. Freckles fade during the winter months when sun exposure decreases, distinguishing them from permanent solar lentigines.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) develops following any skin injury or inflammation. Acne, burns, cuts, aggressive cosmetic treatments, or even excessive rubbing can trigger melanocytes to overproduce melanin in the affected area. PIH appears as dark patches precisely where the injury occurred and can affect all skin types, though it's particularly problematic in darker complexions. Unlike sun damage, PIH can occur on any body area regardless of sun exposure.
Seborrheic keratoses represent benign skin growths that appear as brown, tan, or black spots with a characteristic "stuck-on" waxy appearance. While technically not true pigmentation, they're often confused with age spots. These growths are extremely common with aging and completely benign, though they may be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated.
Café au lait spots are light to medium brown birthmarks present from childhood. The name means "coffee with milk" in French, referring to its characteristic colour. These spots result from increased melanin in the affected area and don't typically darken or multiply with sun exposure, distinguishing them from acquired pigmentation.
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How Brown Spots Form
Sun rays from UV light sink into your skin and harm its cells. This damage prompts the cells to send out signals to nearby pigment-producing cells, which then increase their production of pigment to act as a shield against UV radiation.
In young, healthy skin, this protective darkening happens evenly and fades away as the top skin layers naturally slough off. But years of sun exposure can weaken and damage those pigment cells, forcing them to function abnormally. They group together in small patches, forming clumps of extra pigment that show up as brown spots.
That's why brown spots get more numerous and darker as we age. Each year, sun exposure damages more pigment cells, resulting in the development of new spots and an exacerbation of existing ones. This buildup is why protecting your skin from the sun is so important every day.
Brown Spot Removal Treatment FAQ
What gets rid of brown spots on skin?
Brown spots can be removed with laser and intense pulsed light technologies, as well as medical-grade skincare products. These all work to lighten hyperpigmentation.
What do age spots look like?
Can you treat brown spots on the body?
Can liver disease cause brown spots on the skin?
No, liver disease does not cause brown spots on the skin. Even though they may be called "liver spots", the liver has no impact on the development of brown spots and they are not related. Rather, these spots are caused by the cumulative effects of sun exposure.
Are brown spots on skin dangerous?
Why am I getting so many age spots?
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650 Mount Pleasant Rd #8
Toronto, ON M4S 2N5, Canada
Phone: 647-351-9277
Fax: 647-351-9077
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