What Causes Brown Spots?
Brown spots develop when excess pigment, called melanin, collects in the skin. This can happen for many reasons, including years of sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, certain medications, or genetics.
Common types of brown spots include:
Age Spots (Solar Lentigines)
Often called liver spots or sun spots, these flat brown spots develop after years of ultraviolet (UV) exposure. They commonly appear on the face, hands, shoulders, chest, and other areas that receive the most sun.
Melasma
Melasma causes larger patches of brown or gray-brown discoloration, most often on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin. It is commonly associated with hormonal changes, pregnancy, birth control pills, and sun exposure.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Sometimes a brown spot develops after the skin has healed from acne, eczema, an insect bite, or another injury. These darkened areas often fade over time but may benefit from treatment.
Café au Lait Spots
These light brown birthmarks are often present from childhood and are usually harmless. While most people have only one or two, multiple café au lait spots may occasionally warrant further evaluation.
