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 Age/sun
spots, also known as lentigines are harmless, flat, brown discolorations
of the skin which usually occur on the back of the hands, neck and face
of people over the age of 40. These spots give away a person's age and
are caused by the skin being exposed to too much sun over many years
without adequate sunscreen protection. Such spots are usually harmless
and do not require treatment unless they change color, size or becomes
raised and crusty.
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Age/sun spots can be treated in a
number of conventional ways including: acid skin peels and acid
gels, Retin-A cream and liquid nitrogen therapy.
Peels, such as alpha hydroxyacid peels, involve a mild acid being
applied to the skin to remove the surface layer of skin and with it
the age spot. Once this has been done the healing process produces a
new layer of skin that is younger looking and more elastic. Such
peels work best on fair-skinned people with light hair and blue
eyes.
One of the newest conventional treatments for age spots is alpha
hydroxy acid gel and beta hydroxy acid gel. These gels are applied
directly to the spots each night to lighten the discoloration of the
skin.
Retin-A cream works in a similar way to acid gels. The cream is
applied to the spots once a day for six months. Persistent treatment
during this period of time will cause large age spots to lighten and
may make small ones disappear altogether.
With liquid nitrogen therapy the aesthetician sprays the liquid
nitrogen onto the age spot and this causes the mark to turn white a
month or so after treatment. However when liquid nitrogen is sprayed
onto the skin, it can cause discomfort and may also cause a
permanent scar.
Laser treatment of age spots offers
the most effective means for the removal of such discolorations. The
treatment is quick and painless. There is no need for any needles or
anesthesia. These spots rarely return and the risk of scarring is
very minimal.
The laser works by targeting the brown pigment, or "melanin,"
present in the skin of these spots. This pigment absorbs the laser's
energy and becomes scattered within the skin's tissues. The rest is
done by the body's own immune system as the skin's cleansing cells,
called "macro-phages," digest the excess pigment and clear it from
the area.
Usually age spots require only one or two treatments for removal,
although larger, darker spots may require more. Once treated the age
spots will not return. However laser treatment cannot stop the
ageing of the skin and other age spots will appear in time. In order
to minimize this patients should use sunscreen and avoid direct
exposure to the sun.
Fotona's range of Nd:YAG lasers including our new Fotona fractional erbium laser, are the perfect choice for the
removal of age spots since the laser's wavelength is absorbed by the
melanin in the spots. In addition the Nd:YAG laser ensures the
non-ablative treatment of such discolorations.
The
MedLite laser is one of the most technologically advanced lasers for
removing pigmented lesions. The laser removes pigmented lesions
like age spots with the energy of light. The specialized light produced by
the MedLite laser is absorbed by the pigmented lesion. The unwanted
pigment is then destroyed, thus removing or lightening the lesion.
The
MedLite is most commonly used for removing brown age spots, liver
spots, freckles and other brown birthmarks. The laser light of the
MedLite was specifically designed to effectively target the dark
concentrations of melanin. After the abnormal amounts of melanin are
removed, and treatment continues on normal skin, some whitening could
occur. However, your bodys natural regenerative system would replace
the normal melanin over a period of time, returning the skin to its
natural color.
The
MedLite laser emits light in very short pulses. The impact of the
energy from the power pulse of light is similar to the snap of a thin
rubber band. After the treatment, the area will feel similar to a
light sunburn. Typically any discomfort will disappear within a day or
so. After the redness clears, the skin returns to its natural color
and texture.
Most
common pigmented lesions are removed within one to two treatments
though some deeper lesions will require more treatments. Common
pigmented lesions do not return. Some birthmarks may return after a
period of several months to a year. However, the procedure can be
repeated.
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Call
Coastal Skin Center now to set up an appointment 207.667.2422 or
888.379.5664
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