Face & Skin
Essential Guide to Age Spot Removal
Dark age spots are an unfortunate side effect of aging. While long-term sun exposure is to blame for these spots (they’re also called sunspots), these round, flat spots tend to be tan to dark brown and are caused by increased pigmentation. While age spots may be frustrating, the good news is there are a variety of treatments available to eliminate them once and for all. At Coastal Aesthetics, we have created an essential guide to age spot removal so that you can find the best treatment option for your needs.
What Causes Age Spots?
Simply put, age spots are the cause of excessive and repeated sun exposure. While they don’t form overnight (although sometimes it seems like they do), age spots tend to appear on areas of the face and body that receive the most sun exposure, like the face, shoulders, back of hands, tops of feet, and upper back. Most patients notice age spots in their late 30s or early 40s, although some may see them earlier or later depending on the amount of sun exposure and skin tone.
Repeat sun exposure triggers a change in the production of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin, eyes, and hair their color. The sun can cause the skin to increase larger than normal amounts of melanin, which can cause spots to form that look darker than the rest of your skin.
Even if you use sunscreen often, the sun’s harsh UV rays can still penetrate your skin and produce high concentrations of melanin in certain places. The result is sunspots. These discolored spots become more noticeable with age, especially when left untreated.
More Theories About Age Spots
When it comes to age spots and pigmentation, there are theories that certain vitamin deficiencies can contribute to their formation.
Besides vitamin deficiencies, the Internet swirls with at-home remedies to ease age spots. Some of these methods include using vinegar, baking soda, toothpaste, turmeric, witch hazel, Vaseline, and lemon juice. Unfortunately, there’s no scientific proof that these treatments work, so it’s always best to trust your skin to a professional and modern treatments.
At Coastal Aesthetics, we know your skin is your most beautiful asset and your body’s most important organ, so we want your skin to be treated safely and effectively by licensed practitioners. We also want you to achieve your desired sunspot removal results.
Are Age Spots Dangerous?
For the most part, age spots or sunspots are another part of the aging process and are not dangerous. Of course, the age spot should always be flat and range from light brown to tan to dark brown. Anything that looks abnormal, raised, or uneven in symmetry or color should be checked out by your dermatologist. Other symptoms that require an evaluation by a dermatologist include lesions that itch, bleed, or do not heal properly. If your medical staff suspects concern, we will not treat your skin until evaluation by a dermatologist.
Age spots can look similar to birthmarks and freckles. However, for anyone starting to notice age spots appearing suddenly, they have usually been there for a long time and have just gone unnoticed.
Age Spot Removal Treatments
From treatments like chemical peels to lasers, Coastal Aesthetics is proud to offer several options to treat sunspots and leave your skin fresh and renewed.
Alma Hybrid
For treating skin concerns like age spots, the Alma Hybrid is an amazing skin resurfacing therapy. Combining an ablative CO2 laser with a non-ablative 1570nm laser, and ultrasound technology, Alma Hybrid yields impressive results with minimal downtime. The CO2 laser and 1570nm laser work together to gently remove the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heat the underlying skin (dermis). This innovative process stimulates the growth of collagen, giving your skin improved texture and firmness. Thanks to its single handpiece, our licensed technicians can give you a customized skin resurfacing treatment based on your age spot removal goals.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is an ideal treatment option for easing the appearance of age spots and revealing more youthful, radiant skin. A chemical peel is a controlled technique that causes trauma to the skin’s top layers to remove dead skin safely by sloughing it off, revealing new, fresh skin underneath. This process improves the look of age spots and sunspots. In addition to improving sunspots and sun damage, chemical peels unclog pores and enhance skin texture.
Microneedling
Another treatment that is essential for improving age spots is microneedling. This technique provides terrific results and is highly effective at easing the look of sun damage and age spots. Microneedling is a painless cosmetic treatment that uses tiny needles to penetrate the skin, stimulating collagen production. As your body naturally increases collagen production, it improves the look of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, acne, acne scars, and age spots. It is a skin-rejuvenating procedure that patients at Coastal Aesthetics love because it is minimally invasive with almost zero downtime.
DiamondGlow
DiamondGlow is a popular dermabrasion device that gently removes the top layer of skin to diminish the look of age spots. DiamondGlow speeds up the body’s natural process of removing dead skin, and the exfoliation process reveals the look of fresh skin. DiamondGlow also removes dead skin cells allowing your topical skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin and work more efficiently. This medical-grade buffing process stimulates healthy cell renewal, revealing a healthier complexion and diminishing the look of age spots.
Harmony XL Pro
Harmony XL Pro is considered safe for all skin types and is used to treat various skin concerns, and it contains a specialized tip, which is ideal for delivering treatment safely for darker-skinned patients. Harmony XL Pro is a comprehensive treatment option that delivers outstanding results for many skin issues and is ideal for sunspots and age spot removal.
The Harmony XL Pro is an advanced version of the Harmony XL featuring new technologies, handpieces, and treatment innovations. It has 65 FDA-approved medical aesthetic indications, which means it is a versatile treatment that addresses various skincare concerns. Our licensed practitioners can target specific problem areas and deliver a precise depth of treatment, which means optimal, customized results for our patients.
Why should I choose Coastal Aesthetics to treat my sunspots?
Since 2017, Kimberlee Smith FNP and her medical team at Coastal Aesthetics have served the coastal York, Maine community. Patients love working with the medical staff at Coastal due to their acute attention to detail, precision treatment, and attentive patient care.
Kimberlee’s impressive medical background started in the hospital with Urgent Care. When she transitioned into aesthetics, she received training and certification at the National Laser Institute in Boston, MA, and received advanced training in cosmetic treatments at the Esthetics Skin Institute. She is continually advancing her education and advancing her techniques through advanced training courses throughout the country. She is a Master Injector, trained by Allergan, whom she continues to train with several times throughout the year. Kimberlee is a national speaker, educator and faculty member of Alma Lasers and is recognized within the aesthetics community as an expert in laser skin treatments.
In addition, the Coastal team seeks to improve upon your natural beauty. We have a reputation for excellence, and we can’t wait for you to see for yourself. If you are interested in age spot removal, book your consultation with us today!
Services Pricing Guide
Download our exclusive Coastal Aesthetics Pricing Guide and learn more about our service menu and pricing
