fbpx Skip to main content
search
0

Fast Facts

Skin Pigmentation

AKA:
Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, solar lentigo, actinic keratoses, solar keratoses, seborrheoic keratoses, skin tags and sun damage

Great For:
All forms of pigmentation, including melasma (hormonal pigmentation) and individual spot treatments

Areas Treated:
Face, neck, chest (décolletage), shoulders, back, arms, hands, legs

Down Time:
0 – 14 days, depending on device used and area treated

Special Cases:

Some pigment spots and areas are more difficult or prone to long recovery. Moles (naevi) are deeper pigment spots. Sunspots on the legs can be very stubborn and prone to long recovery.

What are sun spots or age spots?

Sun spots (also known as age spots, liver spots or solar lentigo) are flat tan, brown or black 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 all forms of pigmentation. If you’re not sure what treatment is best for you, call and speak to one of our friendly team.

Fraxel Laser

Fraxel Dual 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 skin cancers), although a number of treatments may be required. Using the 1927 wavelength, Fraxel safely and effectively strips the top layer of the epidermis taking with it any pigmentation, leaving skin that is remarkably clear and smooth. Fraxel is not suitable for individual spot, as the skin may appear uneven. For this our Doctors recommend Revlite Laser.

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…

Find Out More

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Rejuvenation

IPL Rejuvenation in our Perth clinic 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 recommended for deeper pigmentation, such as hormonal pigmentation, or for skin that is very tanned.

At Skin Resus only experienced Registered Nurses 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.

Find Out More

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 only performed by our Doctors. Read more about Revlite Laser.

Find Out More

PhotoDynamic Rejuvenation (PDR)

This is an intense form of IPL rejuvenation, most often used to treat solar keratoses (pink, scaly sunspots), or where a stronger rejuvenation is required. In this treatment, a special ALA cream is applied an hour before the treatment, which makes skin more sensitive to light. A light source is then used to activate the light, usually an IPL Rejuvenation. 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.

Find Out More

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.

Find Out More

Sun Spot Prevention

Of course, prevention is better than a cure, and we recommend that everyone should 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.

 

Read more about our other skin treatments including for bumps and blemishes, facial redness / rosacea and platelet rich fibrin treatment

Close Menu

Skin Resus

436 Cambridge Street
Floreat, Perth

T: 08 9284 0900
E: email@skinresus.com.au