Brown spots (aka hyperpigmentation, melasma, freckles, age spots, liver spots, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation/PIH), on the skin are caused by an overproduction of melanin. Melanocytes become damaged after overexposure to the sun or because of a hormone imbalance. Brown spots can appear anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on the face, back of the hands, the lower neckline in women and the head in men. Brown spots often begin to appear after years of sun exposure even if you no longer tan or use sunscreen. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation also know as PIH is caused after a pimple/acne lesion has healed. Picking and squeezing acne lesions can cause PIH, often causing and/or exacerbating PIH.