What are sun spots or age spots?
Sun spots (also known as age spots, liver spots or solar lentigo) are flat tan or light brown spots. They vary in size, usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms and are very common in adults over 50 (including those with darker complexions). Sun spots and age spots are an almost unavoidable by-product of living in our wonderful Australian climate. And while freckles can look cute on a 12 year old, sun spots on a 40 year old are decidedly less cute and can make you appear years older.
IPL, lasers and lightening creams offer very effective treatments for many forms of pigmentation. It is important that any suspicious pigment spots are assessed prior to any treatment. A full skin check is always a good idea. If you’re not sure what treatment is best for you, call and speak to one of our friendly team.
Treatments: Fraxel Laser
Treatments: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Rejuvenation
Treatments: Revlite Laser
Treatments: PhotoDynamic Rejuvenation (PDR)
Treatments: Erbium Laser
Treatments for Sun Spots
- Fraxel Laser
- IPL
- Revlite Laser
- Erbium Laser
Fraxel Laser
Fraxel Laser is the gold standard treatment for all types of pigmentation, from freckles, sun spots and age spots, to the previously very difficult to treat hormonal pigmentation. Fraxel can also treat solar keratosis (those pink scaly superficial pre-cancers), although a number of treatments may be required. Using the 1927 wavelength, Fraxel safely and effectively renews the top layer of the epidermis taking with it any pigmentation and leaving skin that is remarkably clear and smooth. Fraxel is not generally not used for individual spots, as the skin may appear uneven. For this our Doctors recommend Revlite Laser or IPL.
Fraxel treatment takes about 30 minutes and, with a local anaesthetic cream applied beforehand, causes only minimal discomfort. Your skin will be quite pink for a few days, and the pigmentation takes on a bronzed appearance, before flaking off 4-5 days after. the treatment. And that’s when the compliments start.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Rejuvenation
IPL Rejuvenation is very effective at treating superficial pigmentation like freckles and sun spots, and has the advantage of also treating any redness and broken capillaries present. It is not often recommended for deeper pigmentation, such as hormonal pigmentation, or for skin that is very tanned.
At Skin Resus our experienced Registered Nurses and doctors all perform IPL treatments, which take about 20 minutes. Over the next 24 – 48 hours the pigmented area of the skin will darken to a dark brown, before flaking off 7-10 days later. IPL Rejuvenation also stimulates collage production, leaving your skin fresher and clearer. IPL is highly recommended for its anti-ageing benefits on skin when performed regularly.
PhotoDynamic Rejuvenation (PDR)
This is an alternate form of IPL rejuvenation, most often used to treat solar keratoses (pink, scaly sunspots), in combination with improvement of other brown and red blemishes. In this treatment, a special ALA cream is applied 90 minutes before the treatment, which makes solar keratoses more sensitive to light. The IPL treatment is then performed. The light activates the cream destroying the abnormal cells. After PDR there is more redness, swelling, bronzing and occasional crusting than with IPL alone, and time off work may be needed. The results however, are well worth it, with clear skin and a reduction in fine lines.
A significant improvement will usually be seen after the first treatment. Where there are a number of solar keratoses, a course of treatments may be required.
Revlite Laser
The Revlite laser offers a safe and effective treatment for sun spots or pigmentation on darker skin, or to selectively treat individual spots. Treatment with the Revlite is quick and comfortable, though several treatments may be required for best results. A small crust can occur in the treated area, which will heal in 5 – 7 days. Laser treatments at Skin Resus are performed by our Doctors and trained Registered Nurses.Â
Erbium Laser
Erbium laser is our strongest laser and is used to treat resistant pigmentation such as seborrheoic keratoses, those slightly thickened pigmented spots which appear on the face, arms and legs after years of sun exposure. Erbium can also be used for Laser Resurfacing, which treats lines and wrinkles as well as sun spots, and firms and tightens the skin. The healing time for erbium laser treatment is longer than other treatments. Some pinkness can persist in the treated area for weeks. This is particularly evident for treatment of spots on the legs.
Other information about Sun Spot Removal
Sun Spot Prevention
Of course, prevention is better than a cure, and we recommend that everyone should minimise UV exposure and wear sunscreen every day. Makeup or moisturiser with SPF 15-20+ can be satisfactory for office-wear, but for outdoors activity, preferably SPF 50+ as well as hats and clothing to further protect your skin. We have some great, non-greasy sunscreens available in clinic and online. Vitamin C and antioxidants applied to your skin in the morning will augment sunscreen effectiveness.