Are Age Spots from Age?
The term “age spot” is somewhat of a misnomer since you don’t develop these dark marks and blotches from the aging process alone. Instead, they are a direct effect of long-term UV exposure. Over time, ultraviolet light changes your skin’s DNA “instructions.” Melanin cells, which are called into action to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, become altered and start haphazardly producing increased pigment.
Age does have its impact in making age spots more obvious. Decreased cell turnover caused by the aging process often results in a greater accumulation of these pigmentation markings over time. Fortunately, brown spots are harmless and don’t result in an increased risk of skin cancer.
Age Spot Treatment Options
Dr. Fitzgerald offers a variety of effective treatments to help you improve the appearance of brown spots. Depending on your unique needs, she may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Pico Genesis – next-level laser
- BBL PhotoFacial broad band light
- Fractional laser treatments
- Cosmelan Depigmentation
- Enerpeels “no peel” chemical peels
BBL photofacial uses light to break up melanin granules in your skin. Once broken up, these shattered pigment particles are more easily sloughed off through natural cell turnover. BBL is faster and more effective than standard IPL.
Fractional laser treatments both reduce pigmentation issues and improve skin texture, particularly beneficial if you have rough skin. Potential fractional treatment options include Fraxel DUAL or Halo Hybrid Laser.
Cosmelan Depigmentation begins with an in-office peel to quickly lift excess superficial pigmentation. After this pigment-removing mask, Dr. Fitzgerald will prescribe an ongoing at-home treatment program to help suppress the development of new pigmentation problems.
Topical products will improve age spots and general discoloration over time, but may not be effective for darker spots and discoloration that you’ve had for a long time.
Please contact Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald to schedule your consultation for age spot treatments.
