Treating brown spots without a laser
There really aren’t any fabulous treatments for this problem, if you eliminate the laser option. I think that’s why there are so many of us frustrated with this issue. Despite all the marketing claims for a zillion products out there, nothing works fabulously. Even the presciption Triluma which I think work the best (assuming you’re not allergic to it or irritated by it), doesn’t work all that well. It fades the pigment for awhile but rarely is it a permanent solution.
Sometimes a series of light peels (go to a dermatologist’s office for this) or microdermabrasion in conjunction with the prescription cream mentioned above, can be very helpful. Even then though, recurrence is fairly common. Remember that oral contraceptives aggravate melasma, if you have it. Discuss with your doctor before changing it. Dr. Irwin