Written by Cydney M.
You may have noticed them after a summer spent outside: new brown spots on your face, darker freckles, uneven skin tone or areas of pigmentation that weren’t quite as noticeable before.
So what happened?
After months of sunshine, vacations, lake days, outdoor activities and everyday UV exposure, your skin may be showing some of the effects of summer. Even when you wear sunscreen, cumulative sun exposure can contribute to changes in pigmentation and the appearance of sunspots over time.
If you’re wondering “Why did I get these brown spots on my face?”, you’re not alone. And while some pigmentation can be managed with a good skincare routine, certain types of discoloration may benefit from professional treatment.
What Causes Brown Spots on Your Face?
Brown spots are usually the result of increased or uneven production of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color.
There are several reasons you may develop darker areas on your skin, including:
- Sun exposure: UV exposure can stimulate melanin production and contribute to sunspots and uneven pigmentation.
- Age: Pigmentation changes can become more noticeable as we get older.
- Hormonal changes: Hormones can contribute to certain types of pigmentation, including melasma.
- Inflammation or skin injury: Acne, irritation and other inflammation can sometimes leave behind darker areas called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to freckles or certain types of pigmentation.
Not every brown spot is the same, which is why it’s important to have new or changing spots evaluated rather than assuming they’re all sun damage.
Why Do Brown Spots Seem Worse After Summer?
Summer doesn’t necessarily create every brown spot you see, but increased sun exposure can make existing pigmentation more noticeable and contribute to new pigmentation.
You may notice:
- Darker freckles
- New sunspots
- More visible brown spots
- Uneven skin tone
- Increased pigmentation around areas of previous sun exposure
- A complexion that looks dull or “weathered”
This is one reason many people take a closer look at their skin as summer winds down.
What Should My Fall Skincare Routine Look Like?
Fall is a great time to reassess your skincare routine after months of increased sun exposure.
Your routine doesn’t have to be complicated. A good foundation includes:
Wear SPF Every Day
Sunscreen isn’t just for summer or beach days. Daily broad-spectrum SPF is one of the most important steps you can take to help protect your skin from additional UV damage and prevent existing pigmentation from becoming more noticeable.
Don’t forget areas that are easy to miss, including your neck, chest, ears and hands.
Support Your Skin Barrier
Changes in weather, indoor heating and the use of active skincare products can leave your skin feeling dry or irritated. A gentle cleanser and moisturizer can help support your skin barrier and keep your skin comfortable.
Consider Pigment-Focused Ingredients
Depending on your skin and your goals, your provider may recommend products containing ingredients that can help improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation. Vitamin C, retinoids and other pigment-focused products may be incorporated into a personalized skincare routine.
Not every ingredient is appropriate for every person or skin type, so it’s worth discussing your routine with a skincare professional if pigmentation is a concern.
Can Skincare Products Get Rid of Brown Spots?
Skincare can play an important role in improving the appearance of uneven skin tone and preventing additional sun damage, but results take time.
If you’re dealing with persistent sunspots, pigmentation or discoloration, you may want to consider a professional treatment in addition to your at-home skincare routine.
That’s where a laser photofacial may be an option.
What Is a Laser Photofacial?
A photofacial is a light- or laser-based treatment designed to improve the appearance of concerns such as pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
At Rejuvenation MedSpa, we use the Cynosure Clarity II, a dual-wavelength laser platform that uses 755 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths. The technology allows qualified providers to customize treatment based on the patient’s skin and the concern being addressed.
Depending on the treatment and settings, laser energy can target specific structures in the skin associated with pigmentation or certain vascular concerns.
The goal is to help create a brighter, more even-looking complexion while tailoring treatment to your individual skin.
Can a Photofacial Get Rid of Sunspots?
A laser photofacial may help improve the appearance of certain types of pigmentation, including some sun-related discoloration.
However, not every brown spot should be treated with a laser.
Your provider will evaluate your skin and determine what may be contributing to the pigmentation before recommending treatment. This is particularly important because different types of pigmentation can require different approaches.
A consultation can also help determine whether a photofacial is appropriate for your skin and whether other treatments or skincare products may be more beneficial.
Why Fall Can Be a Good Time to Treat Sun Damage
Timing matters when it comes to laser treatments.
During the summer, it’s often harder to avoid sun exposure. Between vacations, outdoor activities, boating, swimming and simply spending more time outside, your skin may be exposed to more UV radiation.
As fall arrives, many people naturally spend less time in direct sunlight. That can make it easier to follow the sun-avoidance recommendations that are important before and after certain laser treatments.
That doesn’t mean you should stop using sunscreen in the fall. In fact, protecting your skin from UV exposure becomes even more important when you’re working to improve pigmentation.
What Should I Expect During a Photofacial?
Before treatment, your provider will evaluate your skin, discuss your concerns and determine whether a photofacial is appropriate for you.
If treatment is recommended, your provider will customize the approach based on your skin and the areas being treated.
During treatment, you may feel a series of quick snaps or pulses. The Clarity II platform also incorporates cooling technology designed to improve comfort during treatment.
Afterward, you may experience temporary:
- Redness
- Warmth
- Mild swelling
- Sensitivity
- Darkening of treated pigmentation
- Flaking or crusting as treated pigment clears
These effects vary depending on the treatment and your individual response.
Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions. Following those instructions—and being diligent about sun protection—is an important part of your results.
How Many Photofacial Treatments Will I Need?
There’s no universal answer.
Some patients may notice improvement after one treatment, while others may benefit from a series. Your recommended treatment plan can depend on:
- The type and amount of pigmentation
- Your skin type
- The area being treated
- Your individual response to treatment
- Your desired level of correction
Rather than recommending the same treatment plan for everyone, our providers evaluate your skin and create a plan based on your individual concerns and goals.
Don’t Forget: Your Skincare Routine Still Matters
A professional treatment can help address existing pigmentation, but it can’t prevent new sun damage from occurring.
Think of your photofacial as one part of your overall skin-health plan.
Professional treatment helps address what is already there. Your daily skincare habits help protect your results.
Continue using daily SPF, limit intentional tanning, seek shade when possible and follow the skincare routine recommended for your skin.
When Should I Have a Brown Spot Checked?
Not every brown spot is simply a sunspot.
If you notice a spot that is new, changing, growing, bleeding, itching or otherwise looks different from the surrounding spots on your skin, it’s important to have it evaluated by an appropriate medical professional before considering an aesthetic treatment.
A cosmetic laser treatment should never be used to simply assume that an unexplained or changing spot is harmless.
Ready for a Fall Skin Reset?
If you’re looking in the mirror after summer and wondering, “Why did I get these brown spots on my face?”, you’re not alone.
A consistent skincare routine, daily sun protection and professional treatments can all play a role in improving the appearance of sun-related pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
At Rejuvenation MedSpa, we’ll evaluate your skin, talk through your concerns and determine whether a laser photofacial is appropriate for you.
Your skin may be showing the memories of summer—but that doesn’t mean you have to carry them into every season.
Schedule a consultation with Rejuvenation MedSpa to learn more about your options for treating sunspots, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
Laser treatments are not appropriate for everyone. Treatment parameters, expected results, number of treatments and downtime vary by individual. A consultation with a qualified provider is required to determine whether treatment is appropriate for you.