After you've exhausted your at-home options and you're still wondering how to get rid of freckles, it's time to go to the dermatologist for a prescription or laser treatment. Mariwalla recommends starting with a low-concentration retinoid. These vitamin A-derived creams will speed up your skin's natural cell turnover, letting the brown spots come to the surface. After about 12 weeks you'll be able to see the brighter, clearer skin underneath.

If your sunspots are actually melasma — splotchy pigmentation that's triggered by hormones — both Mariwalla and Chapas suggest Triluma or other prescription-strength hydroquinone creams. "You want to use it for eight to 10 weeks at a time and then give your skin some rest," says Mariwalla.

Lasers may seem extreme, but they really do work on dark spots. "Consider a laser treatment like an IPL to get rid of freckles, which is a light-based device," says Mariwalla. "It makes the brown spots darker, they get a little crispy and they fall off."

For stubborn, individual spots, Chapas recommends the Q-switched or PicoSure laser. "They both make small scabs on the skin's surface," she says.

To choose the right laser, your dermatologist will consider your skin tone, the amount of downtime your schedule allows, budget and the severity of your brown spots. While there's no cure-all that works for everyone, a good doctor will be able to zap away your sunspots and brighten your skin.