While dark spots on the skin are harmless, many people don’t like the way they look. These spots, also called liver spots, age spots, and sunspots, are pigmented areas that develop on the top layer of skin from too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays over time. Thankfully, dark spots like these can be reduced, but only if the topmost layer of skin called the epidermis is penetrated. Many DIY topical gimmicks do not work. It’s also not possible to remove these spots with a traditional spa facial.
Injxcellence offers multiple effective sunspot treatments, such as Broadband professional light treatment and chemical peels. Our providers will always be honest about which service is best for your skin care needs.
Spa Procedures That Reduce Over-Pigmented Skin
While a DiamondGlow facial removes dirt and debris from pores to provide a radiant, fresh appearance, it does not remove age spots. That’s because it does not penetrate the layer of skin where the dark spots exist. There are, however, a handful of spa treatments that work to lighten over-pigmented skin. Here are a few that we offer at Injxcellence Medical Spa.
Chemical peels: Chemical peels improve the appearance of age spots by using a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of old skin. Some chemical peels can be quite harsh, but we use more delicate solutions including lactic acid, citric acid, and glycolic acid that do not cause peeling you can blatantly see. These solutions can be added to any of our facials to provide a gentler way to brighten your skin and reduce age spots.
Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion gently removes up to 80% of the dead skin cells on the surface using a mechanical exfoliating diamond-tip machine. It’s an effective sunspot treatment and can also help with melasma, mild acne and acne scars, and enlarged pores.
BroadBand Light Treatment is The Best Way to Reduce Dark Spots
At the Injxcellence Medical Spa at the Breslow Center, we use a BroadBand Light treatment (BBL) to reduce over-pigmentation. BBL targets problem areas using light energy of a specific wavelength. The intense light pulses penetrate the skin to damage or effectively break down the dark pigment. The spots darken and come off in 5 to 7 days. The body then works to repair the damage by growing new skin.
BroadBand Light treatments take only about 30 minutes per session. Some patients even come in on their lunch hour! While patients do notice some spot fading after the first visit, the treatments have a cumulative effect and therefore require 3-5 treatments for ideal results. After those initial visits, a regimen of 2-4 times per year is recommended to maintain your best skin.
What Causes Dark Spots on Skin, and Can You Prevent It?
Overactive pigment cells cause the formation of age spots. Ultraviolet (UV) light accelerates melanin production, a natural pigment responsible for skin coloration. With prolonged sun exposure over time, melanin can clump together, resulting in the appearance of age spots on the skin.
While dark spots cannot always be prevented, you can take measures to help reduce their likelihood and severity.
Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays is the most effective way to prevent age spots. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains the benefits of broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and how it protects your skin better than regular sunscreen. Also, you can wear protective clothing like hats and long sleeves, stay shaded when possible, and avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Avoid using tanning beds or booths, as they emit UV radiation that can accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of age spots and other skin damage.
While these measures can help reduce the risk of age spots, it’s important to remember that sunspots can still develop over time.
Is There a Difference Between Sunspot and Age Spot Treatment?
While over-pigmentation is a broad term that encompasses excessive melanin production, sunspots, and age spots are specific types of pigmentation irregularities caused by sun exposure and aging.
Sunspots (Solar Lentigines)
Sunspots, also known as solar lentigines, are flat, brown spots that develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and chest. They result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which stimulates the production of melanin in the skin. Sunspots typically appear as small, darkened patches with defined borders and may increase in number and intensity with age and cumulative sun exposure. Their flat, uniform appearance helps to differentiate them from skin cancer spots, which tend to be bumpy and have an irregular border.
Age Spots
Age spots, also called liver spots or senile lentigines, are darkened areas of skin that commonly occur in older individuals. They are benign growths that develop as a result of aging and cumulative sun exposure. Age spots typically appear as flat, oval-shaped patches with varying shades of brown, black, or gray, and they may be slightly raised or have a rough texture. Unlike sunspots, age spots can vary in size and shape and may resemble warts or moles.
Schedule a Consultation to Address Your Concerns About Age Spots
A consultation with Injxellence providers can clear up any confusion you may have about the best sunspot treatments. Contact us at 201-444-9522 to discuss your goals and we will get you started on the journey to younger, healthier skin.
