What are those brown spots on my face doctor?

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What are those brown spots on my face doctor?
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• Its a question Chroma Dermatology gets asked
  over and over again and that is because
  dermatosis papulosa nigra is just so common in
  those with skin of colour. The good news is that
  there is a way to safely remove these in people
  with darker skin types.

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• Dr. Rodrigues candidly shares her story I was
  about 26, having just started specialty training
  in dermatology, when I noticed small dots and
  moles appearing on my upper cheeks and temples. I
  could see that some of them were tiny raised
  spots (moles) while others were flat to the naked
  eye. Yes, I had developed dermatosis papulose
  nigra. The main concern was how to treat these
  safely in my skin type. I know first-hand the
  perils of having skin skin of colour. It is
  highly susceptible to scarring and pigment.

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• So here is a little more about what those black
  spots on your face could be and how you can get
  them treated. Please note brown or black spots
  could also be freckles, moles (naevi), skin
  cancers or even uncommon conditions causing
  pigment to develop in the dermis (second layer of
  the skin). Here, in this blog, we are taking a
  closer look at dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN).

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What is DPN?

• DPN is a cluster of small 1-5mm benign spots
  mainly seen on the face and neck. They dont
  cause any symptoms and are not cancerous but are
  a cosmetic concern for many people.

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Who gets DPN?

• DPN is more common in those with skin of colour.
  Ever wondered what the spots were on Morgan
  Freemans face? Yes, its DPN. And now that you
  know about it, you will start to see more of it
  in people with African skin, Indian skin and
  Pacific Islander skin types.

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How can DPN be treated?

• DPN often co-exists with other pigment problems
  like melasma (hyperlink to melasma part of
  website) so it is important to properly assess
  each patient in order to determine the best
  treatment plan for that individual.

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• While scraping, laser and liquid nitrogen are
  sometimes used, this poses many risks in skin of
  colour including scarring and brown blotches.

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• We often use a radiofrequency device (safe in
  people of all ages and stages of life) to safely,
  quickly and effectively treat DPN. It feels like
  a little prick on the skin but doesnt cause any
  ongoing discomfort. Treatment normally takes no
  more than 15minutes. It is best to consider
  maintenance treatment every 1-3 years to keep on
  top of newly developing spots.

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How does the skin look after the treatment?

• No numbing cream or pain killers are needed for
  this procedure but we often use ice to help with
  any mild discomfort. While there is a very small
  risk of transient pigmentation in treated areas
  most people only small little mosquito bites for
  about 12-24 hours in treated areas followed by a
  small pinpoint scab. These small crusts fall off
  in about a week.

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• Quick, simple, pain-free with great results when
  done properly. Why wait to be spot-free when DPN
  can be a thing of the past!
• The information contained in this blog post is
  intended as a guide only and should not
  substitute seeking medical attention. Please see
  your healthcare provider for more information.