Korean term: 잡티

What are dark spots on the face

"Dark spots" is an everyday term, not one diagnosis. Two types are common on the face:

Sun spots (solar lentigines). DermNet describes harmless, flat, well-defined, usually even tan to dark brown spots on sun-exposed skin, mostly in middle-aged and older adults and common on the face in Asian populations.
Marks after inflammation. The AAD says a flat spot of color after acne clears is usually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, not a scar. DermNet says it is more common in darker skin.

Common causes

Years of sun exposure. DermNet links sun spots to chronic ultraviolet exposure, including sunbeds.
Visible light. The AAD calls it a cause of dark spots and advises a tinted sunscreen with iron oxide.
Inflammation or injury. Acne, cuts and burns can leave marks as they heal, say the AAD and DermNet.
Hormones, medicines and irritants. The AAD lists these as triggers.

Treatments clinics in Korea list for dark spots on the face

The card below shows what pico toning is, its downtime as described in the sources, and the lowest regular price a clinic in this directory publishes for it. The sources also describe sunscreen, creams, freezing, intense pulsed light, peels and microneedling; the doctor decides.

Pico toning

A low-energy picosecond laser passed over the face to lighten pigment such as melasma.

Downtime (per the sources): Minimal in one Korean case series; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation seen in some patients with 755 nm

From ₩20,000 (≈ US$15)JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon · PicoCare toning, 1 session · VAT excluded

11 clinics in this directory list a regular price

All prices and clinics

What the sources say about results and limits

Diagnosis first. The AAD says age spots can look like skin cancer, and that fading a skin cancer can give it time to grow. DermNet advises a biopsy where there is doubt.
Fading takes time. The AAD says a spot a few shades darker than your skin usually fades within 6 to 12 months once the cause is stopped; deeper color can take years.
Lasers. The AAD says one or two laser treatments can treat age spots quickly. DermNet says lasers and freezing can leave pale or dark spots, and that for marks after inflammation they may help surface pigment but can aggravate it.
Pico toning. Several picosecond lasers have US FDA clearances that list benign pigmented lesions. Our sources hold no controlled trial of pico toning for sun spots; the trials we found are for melasma.
Return. The AAD says age spots can return after any treatment. DermNet says strict sun protection is required to prevent recurrence.

Published prices

The table shows, for each clinic that lists a regular price, its lowest regular price for each treatment above; items, amounts and VAT basis differ between clinics.

Clinic	Pico toning
Art of Shine Skin Clinic	₩110,000 (≈ US$82) VAT excluded · Pico toning, 1 session
Beauty Park Skin Clinic Beomeo	₩75,000 (≈ US$56) VAT excluded · PicoSure toning
Bellis Skin Clinic	₩165,000 (≈ US$123) VAT included · Pico toning
DAMI Skin Clinic	₩150,000 (≈ US$112) VAT excluded · Pico toning, 1 session
DayBeau Skin Clinic Myeongdong Premium	₩150,000 (≈ US$112) VAT excluded · Fotona pico toning, 1 session
JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon	₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · PicoCare toning, 1 session
Oaro Skin Clinic Cheongdam	₩440,000 (≈ US$329) VAT not stated · Helios pico laser (fee notice range, pigment category)
Re:Berry Skin Clinic Yeongjong	₩300,000 (≈ US$224) VAT excluded · Pico toning
The Walts Clinic	₩590,000 (≈ US$441) VAT excluded · Pico toning, basic, 10 sessions
YAAN Skin Clinic	₩150,000 (≈ US$112) VAT not stated · Pico toning · 1 session
Youngjong Central Skin Clinic	₩440,000 (≈ US$329) VAT excluded · Whitening · PICO PLUS · full face

Lowest regular price each clinic lists, with its own item and VAT basis.

Questions to ask the clinic

Is this a sun spot, a mark after acne, melasma or something else? Has a doctor examined it?
Which laser, and at what wavelength?
How many sessions? Does the price cover one session or a package?
What is the risk of lighter or darker patches for my skin tone?
Is the written quote with VAT, and is it a regular or an event price?

FAQ

How long do dark spots take to fade?

The AAD says a spot a few shades darker than your skin usually fades within 6 to 12 months once its cause is stopped, and deeper color can take years. Creams need weeks to months of daily use. One or two laser treatments can treat age spots quickly.

Are dark spots the same as melasma?

No. Sun spots are well-defined flat spots on sun-exposed skin; marks after acne appear where skin was inflamed. Melasma forms larger patches, usually on both sides of the face, linked to sun and hormones. A doctor can tell them apart.

Can dark spots come back after laser treatment?

Yes. The AAD says age spots can return after treatment, whatever the method. DermNet says strict sun protection is required to prevent recurrence, and that lasers and freezing can leave pale or dark spots. Ask what the clinic does if that happens.

When should a dark spot be checked by a doctor?

Before any fading treatment, says the AAD, because skin cancer can look like an age spot. DermNet notes that sun spots can resemble melanoma in situ, an early skin cancer, and advises a biopsy where there is doubt. Ask a dermatologist to examine any spot you are unsure about.

Dark spots on the face: what they are and what clinics in Korea list for them