Age Spots
What It Is
Age spots are flat brown, grey, or black spots that appear most commonly on areas of the skin exposed to the sun. As such, they are also called sun spots, liver spots, solar lentigines, or senile lentigo. Age spots are a result of an excess production of the skin pigment, melanin. Though the exact causes of sunspots are unknown, doctors attribute their development to aging skin, sun exposure, and exposure to UV light, which includes tanning beds. As a result, areas of the skin that receive the most exposure to the sun are more likely to develop age spots such as the face, the back of your hands, your forearms, upper back, and shoulders.
How It’s Treated
Nd: YAG
The Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser treatment can strongly absorb melanin in the skin due to the 532 and 1064 nm laser. This means that it is highly effective in treating skin pigmentation conditions, such as reducing the appearance of age spots and lentigos. The treatment is safe for all skin types and skin tones.
For more than a decade, the Nd: YAG laser has been very effective in the treatment and removal of sun spots. While patients do experience some mild irritation to the skin after the treatment, it usually only lasts a few days to a week.
Sciton Laser
The Broadband light (BBL) l laser treatment sets new bars for treating skin conditions resulting from sun damage and aging. Our team at The Centre For Dermatology uses the power of BBL to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and sunspots. Depending on the condition of your skin and the results you want to achieve, the BBL treatment will be uniquely customized to you. After your procedure, you will notice that your skin is smoother and rejuvenated.
The BBL light procedure is gentle and non-invasive. Most patients experience minimal discomfort, although it does vary depending on the depth of the treatment. Full results are typically produced after a patient has undergone 3 to 5 treatments, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
The MicroLaserPeel is another option if you seek fresh, youthful skin by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. This treatment is one of the most precise and immediate, producing long-lasting results by removing the outer layers of the skin. It works to combat skin damage from exposure to the sun and is effective in the removal of pigmentation and discoloration. Popular treatment areas include the face, neck, back of hands, Remove chest, and shoulders. There is minimal downtime post-treatment and recovery takes only between 2 to 7 days, depending on the depth of the peel that you receive.
Sun Damage
What it is
Spending time in the sun exposes your skin to harmful UV rays, which is actually the reason behind 80% of skin aging. Over time, sun light can lead to wrinkles, uneven skin pigmentation, and sun spots, to name a few. Fortunately, you can reverse some of the damage caused by the sun. While it is not possible to erase it all, there are some steps you can take to reduce the appearance of sun damage.
How It’s Treated
Sciton Laser
BBL Broadband light laser treatments are able to highly target and treat skin conditions such as sun damage to reverse the signs of aging. At The Centre For Dermatology, the power of BBL is harnessed to treat signs of aging as a result of sun damage such as sun spots, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. The BBL laser treatment will be uniquely customized to your skin type, concerns, and results you want to achieve.
This gentle, non-invasive laser treatment will provide you with smoother, rejuvenated skin immediately with minimal discomfort. Full results will be most visible after receiving between 3 to 5 treatments at 4 to 6 week intervals, although individual needs will vary. Our team at The Centre for Dermatology will work with you to help you figure out what treatment schedule will work best.
Another method to treat sun damage to the skin is through the MicroLaserPeel. This laser treatment provides precise targeting to reduce the appearance of age spots, sun spots, wrinkles and fine lines, leaving you with fresh, youthful skin. It is very effective in removing skin pigmentation and discoloration caused by melanin production and can combat skin damage from sun exposure. The most common areas to treat include the face, neck, back of hands, chest, and shoulders. Post-treatment, you will experience minimal downtime with recovery times that last between 2 to 7 days. However, individual recovery time may vary depending on the depth of the peel.
Nd: YAG
Skin pigmentation conditions caused by sun exposure can be easily treated with the Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser treatment. The laser can break down the pigment present in the skin and absorb the melanin to produce dramatic results. This laser treatment is ideal because it is non-invasive and patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure as well as minimal downtime. The majority are able to return to their day to day activities after their procedure.
