Brown Spot Treatment in Seoul: Laser Removal of Sun Spots and Age Spots
Brown spots — sun spots, age spots and freckles — are among the easiest pigment problems to treat. Pico or Q‑switched laser targets the pigment precisely, often clearing spots in one or two sessions.
What is the best way to remove brown spots?
The most effective way to remove sun and age spots is pigment laser — pico or Q‑switched Nd:YAG — which breaks up the melanin in the spot so the body can clear it, usually in 1–2 sessions. Raised age spots (seborrhoeic keratoses) are removed with CO2 laser instead.
Types of brown spots
Which brown spots can be removed?
A dermatologist checks each spot before treatment.
Sun spots (solar lentigines)
Flat, well‑defined spots on sun‑exposed skin.
Freckles
Small spots that darken in summer.
Raised age spots
Seborrhoeic keratoses; see lesion removal.
Café‑au‑lait marks
Light brown birthmarks; see birthmark removal.
Melasma
Hazy patches that need gentle treatment; see melasma.
Changing spots
Any spot that changes needs a mole check first.
How it works
How laser clears brown spots
Pigment lasers deliver very short pulses that are absorbed by melanin, shattering it into tiny particles. The treated spot darkens, forms a thin scab and flakes off within about a week, revealing lighter skin.
- Day 0: spot treated; it turns slightly darker
- Days 3–7: thin scab forms and falls off
- Weeks 2–6: pinkness fades
- If needed: second session after 4–6 weeks
What to expect
Your treatment, step by step
-
Examination
Each spot assessed with magnification.
-
Plan
Laser type and settings chosen for your skin.
-
Treatment
Numbing cream, then a few minutes of laser.
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Aftercare
Healing ointment, no picking, strict sunscreen.
Who is a good candidate?
- Flat sun spots and age spots
- Freckles on face or hands
- Raised age spots (with CO2 laser)
- Patients able to protect skin from sun afterwards
Safety & side effects
- Temporary darkening (PIH) can occur, especially in summer
- Small scabs for about a week
- Melasma can worsen with aggressive laser
- Suspicious spots are checked before any laser
Sun protection is essential to prevent new spots.
Compare
Brown spots vs. melasma
They need different laser approaches.
| Brown spots | Melasma | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Well‑defined spots | Hazy, symmetrical patches |
| Cause | Sun exposure, age | Hormones, sun, heat |
| Laser | Spot laser, 1–2 sessions | Gentle toning, many sessions |
| Recurrence | New spots with sun | Common without maintenance |
Your dermatologist
Dr. SangYoul Yun
Chief Director · Korean Board‑Certified Dermatologist · AAD International Fellow (IFAAD)
Dr. Yun checks every spot before treatment and uses settings that clear pigment while minimising rebound darkening in Asian skin. Consultations are available in English.
Delight Dermatology Clinic · Registered foreign‑patient medical institution (KHIDI M‑2024‑01‑08‑8248) · 4F, Building B, 509 Gangnam‑daero, Seocho‑gu, Seoul · +82 2‑517‑9991 · About our clinic
FAQ
Brown Spot Treatment: frequently asked questions
How many sessions do I need?
Most spots clear in 1–2 sessions.
Can I have it done on a short trip to Seoul?
Yes; plan about a week for scabs to fall off.
Will spots come back?
Treated spots rarely return, but new ones can form with sun.
Is it painful?
It feels like quick snaps; numbing cream helps.
Can I wear make‑up?
Usually after the scabs fall off.
What about hand spots?
See hand rejuvenation.
Book your brown spot removal in Gangnam
Send a make‑up‑free photo for an initial assessment.