5 Key Treatments for Age Spot Removal
Age spots are one of the most common skin discoloration issues around. Sometimes known as liver spots, or solar lentigines, these are often characterized by small dark areas of patchy skin, which vary in size. They generally appear in areas such as the face, hands, shoulders and the arms – where the sun has the most access. At Goals Plastic Surgery, Dr. Voskin specializes in a number of different methods of age spot removal, especially in older patients, as they are most common in patients over 50. Generally, those patients who spend a lot of time in the sun are most susceptible, and those with fairer skin tones as well. Despite the fact that they are generally harmless, they do present a fairly common cosmetic concern, making age spot removal one of the most popular topics in the non-invasive aesthetic enhancement world. To better educate you on age spot removal, here is some important information about the top five most popular methods.
· Medications & Prescriptions
One of the most common methods of age spot removal generally requires the use of prescription bleaching creams, such as hydroquinone. They are either used alone or in conjunction with retinoids or mild skincare steroids, that allow us to slowly but surely fade them away and even the skin’s complexion. Afterwards, patients are advised to use a high SPF sunscreen, as well.
· Laser Therapy & IPL
Lasers have taken over the world of aesthetics, and age spot removal is no different! Using either laser therapy or IPL, intense pulsed light therapy, we are able to destroy the melanocytes – the melanin producing skin cells, without causing any harm to the skin itself. Generally, after a few sessions, the spots will be gone completely. There might be some side effects, depending on the aggressiveness of treatment and your skin type – unevenness of skin tone, or mild peeling.
· Cryotherapy
This is an interesting method in which the skin or age spot is frozen using liquid nitrogen, in order to destroy the pigmented skin. When the skin heals, it will be far lighter and free of any discoloration.
· Microdermabrasion
One of the best skincare treatments around, microdermabrasion is a process of manual exfoliation in which the skin is almost “sanded” down using an abrasive surface, affixed to a machine. The outer layer of skin is removed, and the age spots with it, giving way to newer, fresher skin and brand-new skin cells. helps remove other skin issues as well.
· Chemical Peels
These peels use a chemical method of exfoliation and skin resurfacing, helping to remove the outer layers of the skin with high potency alpha-hydroxy acids. Once the outer layers are removed, the age spots will disappear as well, and give way to new, fresh skin, that is much healthier and younger than before.
For more information on age spot removal and other treatments contact Goals Plastic Surgery today.