How To Treat Age Spots
Many patients wonder what is the best way to treat unwanted pigmentation, sun spots, and liver spots. Dr. Michele Green has the most effective cutting edge chemical peels and laser treatments to remove unwanted age spots. When you schedule your consultation with Dr. Green, she will asses the treatment area to determine the severity and scope of the condition. From that determination, and taking into consideration your specific needs and aesthetic goals, Dr. Green will develop the treatment plan that is right for you. Your treatment plan may be a single treatment option or a combination of several treatments in order to achieve the best cosmetic results.
How To Get Rid Of Evidence Of Age
So we have talked about how to tell what kind of brown spots you have in the precious post, Out, damnd spot! Out, I say! Get Rid of Brown Spots on the Face so you know what needs to be done to get rid of them. Since we solved the sun damage spot problem in the last post How to Get Rid Of Your Past: Removing Brown Spots From The Sun, lets move up the difficulty ladder to how to remove those horrible growths that come over time. They are the dreaded age spots or liver spots.
So we have talked about how to tell what kind of brown spots you have in the precious post, Out, damnd spot! Out, I say! Get Rid of Brown Spots on the Face so you know what needs to be done to get rid of them. Since we solved the sun damage spot problem in the last post How to Get Rid Of Your Past: Removing Brown Spots From The Sun, lets move up the difficulty ladder to how to remove those horrible growths that come over time. They are the dreaded age spots or liver spots.
To recap, here is what you see:
- In the mirror: Tan to dark brown flat or raised growths.
- Diagnosis: Seborrehic Keratosis, which dermatologists call SKs and you call age spots or liver spots. They often run in families, and are more common as you age.
- Treatment: Firstphysician evaluation to be sure they are benign, then destruction with liquid nitrogen, electric needle and curette or Fraxel Laser Treatment.
- Ease of treatment: Moderate.
Home Treatment:
Office Treatment:
Cryotherapy For Getting Rid Of Age Spots
Cryotherapy used to be a very common process for the elimination of age spots but is not frequently used anymore. The procedure involved the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze off age spots and other skin lesions. Cryotherapy is no longer the preferred treatment method because it is not as effective as other procedures, such as chemical peels, and liquid nitrogen can cause blistering and scabbing as common side effects and discomfort on the surface of the skin. Rather than Cryotherapy, Dr. Green recommends the use of chemical peels for better results.
Cosmelan for dark spots 1 year
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Chemical Peels For Removing Age Spots
When looking to eliminate age spots, one of the most effective treatments is the use of chemical peels. Chemical peels work to rejuvenate the treatment area by exfoliating the top layer of skin to promote cell turnover for smoother, clearer skin. Made up of a combination of chemicals, such as glycolic acid, kojic acid, or trichloroacetic acid, chemical peels are very effective at eliminating hyperpigmentation, such as age spots, from the surface of the skin.
Chemical peels work through the use of acids, which react with the skin to gently break down the dead skin cells found on the surface. This leads to an exfoliation and peeling of the dead skin cells. The process causes micro-injuries to the skin, which triggers the bodys naturally healing process and stimulates the production of new skin cells. This procedure corrects discoloration on the surface of the skin, thereby eliminating age spots.
The procedure is simple but highly effective. When you have your consultation appointment with Dr. Green, she will make a determination about the type and strength of chemical solution that will be most effective for you. Different chemical peels will be necessary depending on the severity of the hyperpigmentation and the skin type of the patient. Dr. Green will apply the chemical peel at her office with directions for how long the chemical solution should remain on the treatment area. For most patients, they can remove the peel at home with a prescribed lotion or moisturizer.
What About Home Remedies For Age Spots
Looking to DIY your spots away? Research is super limited, but these home remedies *might* help prevent or lighten age spots.
- Lemon juice. Citric acid and other antioxidants found in lemon juice may help bleach age spots.
- Apple cider vinegar .Research suggests that ACVs acetic acid can help lighten dark spots.
- Turmeric. Turmeric has been known to decrease the production of melanin.
- Papaya. Alpha-hydroxy acids in papaya may help exfoliate skin and reduce discoloration.
Remember, anecdotal evidence isnt the same as a well-designed clinical study. We need more solid science to confirm these DIY treatments for age spots.
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Schedule An Ipl Treatment
Intense pulsed light treatments and broadband light treatments are a next-level doctor solution. IPL/BBL acts as a magic eraser for red and brown sun damage, Hartman says. Downtime is minimal, and no anesthesia is necessary. This treatment has best results when applied in a series and continued as a preventive one. These treatments use scattered light in a less focused way than lasers. They are better for lighter rather than darker skin tones. Expect initial redness, darkening of the skin and peeling as the treated skin flakes off a week later. Youll need to take a few days downtime and avoid the sun. Also, your doctor will advise whether to treat hands and chest to IPL when the face is done. Facial skin reacts differently to brown spot treatments than body skin, Hartman explains. Start conservatively with one area say the face before moving on. I also factor in the patients lifestyle, tolerance to pain, the amount of topical anesthetic that can be safely applied and differences in sun exposure in the various areas to be treated.
What Can I Do To Prevent Age Spots
Sun protection is the most significant step you can take to help prevent age spots from forming. Its important to remember that the suns rays effect skin even on cloudy days, so give your skin the daily protection it needs. As well as reducing hyperpigmentation, Eucerin Anti-Pigment Day SPF 30 offers effective UVA and UVB protection and prevents the formation of additional sun-induced pigment spots. Pairing this sun protection day cream with the new mono-chamber version of the highly effective Dual Serum as part of a daily skincare routine will also help prevent age spots. Limiting the time you spend in the sun will also help to reduce the formation of age spots. Try to keep out of the sun during its most intense hours and wear protective clothing including sun hats and sunglasses whenever possible. When skin is exposed to the sun, apply and regularly reapply a sun protection product:
- with a suitable SPF level
- which has been specially formulated for your skin type and condition
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How To Get Rid Of Age Spots With Hydrogen Peroxide
Another method of age spot treatment that can be performed in a dermatologists office is using hydrogen peroxide. For this procedure, the dermatologist will apply the hydrogen peroxide solution to the age spot. The solution works to dissolve the pigment in the spot but may require several treatments for optimal results, particularly if the spot is large or very dark. There are potential side effects of scabbing and irritation to the surface of the skin. For that reason, Dr. Green does not frequently use hydrogen peroxide treatment in her office.
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Loretta is passionate about promoting confidence and looking your best at every age. She believes that beauty is not about perfection. Beauty is what you reveal when you feel good on the inside when you smile, when you treat yourself and others gently. When you have confidence in yourself, and when you truly embrace who you are.Loretta is the founder of rawbeauty skincare – a natural, Vegan, cruelty -free range of Australian Skincare. rawbeauty skincare was created from a need to find gentle, effective skincare that her son with allergies & eczema could also use.
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Schedule A Consultation Today
Dark spots are embarrassing, especially when they appear on visible areas, such as on your face, arms, or hands. These brown spots can also be a premature sign of aging. Fortunately, age spots respond well to treatment by a skincare professional. There are a wide variety of treatment options available, so nobody has to live with liver spots anymore.
To learn more about brown spot removal please fill out our contact us form, or today!
Do I Have Liver Spots
Liver spots show up as darker oval patches on the skin. These spots are usually flat, and vary in colour from light to dark brown. Unlike freckles, which will usually fade during the winter months with less exposure to the sun, age spots do not fade.
Dr Hadi Abushaira, senior consultant dermatologist for the NHS, says liver spots can appear in many places: “They’re most often found on the face, hands and forearms, and are larger and more defined than freckles,” he says. These spots can vary in size, from a small freckle-sized speck to more noticeable blotches, about 1cm in diameter, and can cluster together, which makes them more apparent.
“Liver spots are very common in people over 50, and women are more likely to develop these spots than men,” explains Faye Purcell, Product Development Chemist and skincare expert at Q+A. “They tend to be more visible on those with fair complexions. However, people who use tanning beds, or spend a lot of time in the sun without sufficient protection can develop liver spots at a much earlier age.”
Dark spots shouldn’t hurt or itch, so don’t usually pose a health risk. For cosmetic reasons they can be treated, lightened and removed. However, if you notice a spot changing in appearance, then speak to your GP or dermatologist. Get your spot checked out if it’s black, bleeding, has increased in size or has an irregular border as these could all be signs of melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
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Dermatologist Treatment Of Age Spots
While age spots are, themselves, not harmful or indicative of underlying health issues, it is important to get age spots examined and treated by an expert, board-certified dermatologist. If you are concerned about a new spot on your skin, it can be vital for your health to have it look at by a healthcare professional, such as Dr. Michele Green. Some dark spots on the skin can be indicative of skin cancer and Dr. Green will examine the spot to determine if it is cancerous. If the hyperpigmentation is diagnosed as an age spot, experienced dermatologist, Dr. Green, can remove the blemish with the latest, safest treatment methods. At a dermatology office, there are many treatment options, including laser treatment and medical-grade chemical peels that are both safe and extremely effective in removing age spots. When looking to treat age spots, it is important to research a qualified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green.
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Fraxel Laser Treatment For Sun Spots And Age Spots
The Fraxel lasers has two different wavelengths that can be used to treat sunspots, lentils, hyperpigmentation, actinic keratoses, and acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles respectively. The 1550 wavelength is best suited to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars, while the 1927 setting is used to treat discoloration such as liver spots. The two settings can be used in combination to treat many signs of the natural aging process at once eliminating wrinkles and liver spots. When treating pigmentation, the Fraxel Laser is designed to target melanin in the pigmented cells while leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. For that reason, however, Fraxel Lasers are best used for patients with lighter skin in order to avoid any unnecessary side effect for patients with darker skin tones. Depending on the degree of pigmentation, the number of sun spots, and the degree of sun damage, you may need three Fraxel laser treatments to remove all of the unwanted pigmentation. Each Fraxel laser treatment should be scheduled one month apart for optimal cosmetic results. For patients with darker skin tones, the Clear + Brilliant laser may be a more appropriate option for removing unwanted liver spots and sun spots.
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Skin Care Products Mgskinlabs Inc
There are many over-the-counter products available for treating facial discoloration and pigmentation. However, there is a lot of confusion as to which products to use and for which skin tones. To this end, Dr. Michele Green has designed a complete line of products, including skin lightening lotions and creams, to help improve skin tone, texture, sun damage, and liver spots. Dr. Green has also developed her own pigmentation program for patients to use prescription topical hydroquinone creams at home. The program combines retinol, to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover, Vitamin C Serum, which is a powerful anti-oxidant and skin lightening serum, with hydroquinone-free skin lightening creams to gently brighten the skin. Along with these products, Dr. Green may prescribe a gentle cleanser and rich moisturizers to keep you skin smooth and fresh and further promote the skins health and wellness.
Should Lentigines Be Removed
Lentigines are not a cause of medical concern, so they dont need to be removed. But some people may choose to lighten or remove lentigines for aesthetic reasons.
Its a good idea to look into your options before you decide on removal methods. There are treatments that can remove or lessen the appearance of liver spots, but some of these treatments can also leave your skin red, irritated, and peeling. Most treatments also work gradually, and you might need to have multiple sessions before you see the results you want.
You can work with a dermatologist to remove lentigo. If you choose clinical treatments, its a good idea to ask how many treatments youll need and what kind of results to expect. Your dermatologist might recommend one of these treatments:
- medicines like bleaching creams containing hydroquinone or retinoids
- laser or intense pulse light therapy to destroy melanocytes
- freezing to destroy melanocytes
You can also try at-home treatments. Options include:
- over-the-counter creams
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What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Liver Spots
Liver spots, or age spots, are very common, particularly for those over 50 years of age. However, there are certain risk factors that may make you more likely to develop liver spots over time. Liver spots develop as a result of sun damage and, as such, those who have had intense or frequent exposure to the sun are more likely to develop liver spots. Also, people who have had a history of severe sunburns are also more likely to have these dark spots form on their skin. Another risk factor is skin type, or skin tone. Those with lighter skin types have naturally less melanin in their skin. As a result, people with lighter skin are more likely to be at risk for developing this skin discoloration. However, patients with dark skin tones are also sensitive the sun exposure and suffer from sun spots and facial melasma.
How To Remove Age Spots Naturally
As we age, changes begin to occur on the surface of the skin. Fine lines and wrinkles can develop and skin can start to sag, but perhaps one of the most noticeable signs of the natural aging process is the formation of age spots. Age spots are flat brown, black, or gray spots that appear on areas of the skin that have been frequently exposed to the sun. Also known as liver spots, solar lentigines, senile lentigo, or sun spots, these age spots can appear commonly on the face, arms, shoulders, upper back, and hands. While age spots themselves are not harmful or indicative of any underlying health condition, their appearance can be distressing. The spots can range in size but due to their dark color and their appearance on sun exposed areas of your body, like your face and chest, they can be very noticeable. Luckily, advances in dermatology mean that you can easily remove these unwanted age spots on your skin.
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Microneedling With Skin Lightening Serums
Microneedling is another treatment option available in Dr. Greens office and is effective in eliminating liver spots and acne scars, as well as improving the texture of the skin. The procedure involves piercing the skin with tiny microneedles, which create a series of micro-injuries in the treatment area. The body reacts to the small wounds by producing new collagen, which leads to smoother, healthier, brighter skin. Microneedling can also be paired with the application of rejuvenating serums or Platelet Rich Plasma , which further stimulates the creation of collagen in the skin. The treatment itself is painless and Dr. Green applies a topical numbing cream in order to minimize any discomfort. For the best results, Dr. Green recommends receiving between 3 Microneedling treatments spaced approximately one month apart.
