Sun damage is manifested in a range of treatable conditions - all of which we have specialist knowledge of. In summary we treat:
- Actinic keratoses
- Liver Spots
- Freckles & Solar Lentigos
- Age Spots & Sun Damage
- Moles
SUN DAMAGE AND AGE SPOTS REMOVAL
Age spots, or liver spots, are flat brown marks on the skin which appear as a result of excess melanin, or skin pigment. Although age spots are harmless, many people look to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. Age spots vary in size and usually appear on the face, hands, arms and shoulders.
WHAT CAUSES AGE SPOTS?
Areas of skin that have had frequent and prolonged sun exposure over many years may develop age spots, it is thought to be caused by excess exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light, which causes melanin (skin pigment) to be produced at high concentrations. Age spots are most likely to develop on areas of your skin that receive the most sun exposure including the face, hands, shoulders and forearms.
There are a few things you can to to help prevent the development of age spots:
- Avoid the sun when its rays are most intense around the middle of the day.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that provides protection from both UVA and UVB light and has a high sun protection factor (SPF). Please remember to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on application.
- Consider wearing clothing designed to provide sun protection. For protection from the sun, wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a hat if possible.
- Avoid using tanning beds
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AGE SPOTS?
Age spots are very common after middle age, but if younger people spend a lot of time in the sun they can get them too.
They range in colour, from light brown to black. The texture of age spots is no different from that of your skin, and appear more often on sun-exposed areas. They do not cause any pain or discomfort.
Age spots are most common in those who:
- Are older than 40
- Have fair skin
- Have a history of frequent sun exposure
- Have a history of frequent tanning bed use
HOW CAN AGE SPOTS BE TREATED?
We offer simple and effective laser and IPL treatments to combat sun spots. Both laser and IPL treatments provide visible results after just one treatment, and offer an alternative to the likes of microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Sun damage and pigmentation that can be treated include: age spots, sun spots, liver spots, freckles and melasma.
Liver spots, age spots, benign lentigos and freckles can usually be treated and removed in just one laser session. If you opt for IPL treatment, it may be repeated every 4 weeks for a course of 2-4 sessions. Treatments usually take between 15 and 30 minutes and can be described as feeling like a warm elastic band snapping against the skin.
For all patients, from sun damage to acne, visiting trusted experts in dermatology gives the most effective diagnosis of your condition and leads to the appropriate treatment for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are certain lesions that can be treated in just one session, and these include the liver or age spots, benign lentigo and freckles. However, for lesions with deeper lying pigment, multiple treatment sessions may be necessary e.g. pigmented birthmarks.
Laser treatments are usually scheduled at 6-week intervals, but often just one session is sufficient, depending on your individual response. IPL treatments may be repeated every 3-4 weeks for a course of 4 sessions.
You may experience a warm, stinging sensation in the area treated during the procedure. The treatment usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes.
We recommend daily use of a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. Following the manufacturer’s instructions on application.