By Jessica Migala, Women's Health
Because they can be caused by a variety of factors, ID'ing what’s going on is key to finding the right treatment, says Melissa K. Levin, M.D., a board-certified New York City dermatologist and clinical attending at New York University Langone Health and Mount Sinai Hospital. “Brown spots can be as benign as sun spots, genetic spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation, and moles, or be as concerning as melanoma,” she says. The sun, your age, fluctuating hormones (like the ones women experience during pregnancy), and skin irritation can all contribute to a spotty complexion.
Since the sun is one of the biggest culprits, “if you have good sun habits, you’ll get fewer dark spots than if you don’t,” says Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center. There’s a genetic component, too. The fairer your skin is, the more likely you are to get dark spots.
The good news: There are OTC options for getting rid of dark spots. Here are seven you should have on your radar. (And if you’re not satisfied with your at-home results, consider seeing a derm, who may recommend an in-office procedure like intense pulsed light treatment or a chemical peel.)
ELTAMD UV ELEMENTS BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 44
SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC
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MURAD RAPID AGE SPOT AND PIGMENT LIGHTENING SERUM
PHILOSOPHY THE MICRODELIVERY TRIPLE-ACTION BRIGHTENING PEEL
IS CLINICAL WHITE LIGHTENING COMPLEX
SkinMedica Lytera Skin Brightening Complex
Another one on Tanzi’s radar, this treatment
is hydroquinone-free, which is great for anyone who may have a more
sensitive complexion. It brightens with licorice root extract and
includes peptides that work in cells to turn down pigment production—and
contains retinol to spur cell turnover (helping further diminish dark
spots) and vitamin E to protect your skin.