Sun Spots and Hyperpigmentation Question and Answer

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation, occurs when your body produces an excess amount of melanin, which is the pigment portion of your skin. It results in brown spots, age spots, freckles, or patches of darkened skin. This overproduction of melanin affects people of all skin colors and is most often seen on those areas of the body that are exposed to the sun (face, chest, and hands).

What are Sun Spots?

The medical term for these spots is solar lentigines (pronounced len-TIJ-e-nees). Often referred to as "age," "sun" or "liver" spots, these spots commonly appear as medium to dark brown areas on the hands, face, forearms and chest of most fair-skinned people. Age spots are flat, round or oval-shaped, and have a slightly irregular border.

Where are Sun Spots Found?

They may appear on your face, arms, backs of your hands or chest — the parts of your body that are often exposed to the sun. Age spots become more numerous and larger and appear on different sun-exposed parts of your body.

What Causes Hyperpigmentation and Sun Spots?

Having sun spots, or hyperpigmentation, is a very common skin related condition. There are a lot of misconceptions about what causes them. Most people consider them to be 'age spots' and are not appreciative of the fact that they are really caused by cumulative sun exposure. Other common causes of hyperpigmentation include hormonal changes as a result of pregnancy, oral contraceptive use or hormone replacement therapy. Acne and acne scarring is another common cause of hyperpigmentation.

How do we treat Sun Spots?

We can eliminate age spots and hyperpigmentation on all skin types quickly, comfortably, and effectively utilizing the GentleLase laser. Additionally, we will likely recommend other topical treatments.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect?

The length of treatment may vary depending on the desired results. After several treatments most patients enjoy dramatic results which often last forever. The laser typically can only see one shade or color at a time. If you have sunspots with various colors/shades multiple treatments may be necessary.

How long do treatments take?

A 30 minute treatment typically covers a single area. Typical areas treated are the face, chest or hands/forearms. We charge by the half hour.

Other Treatments that we might recommend include:

Skin care products and creams- We will determine at the time of your consultation if it is appropriate to use any of our products that are designed to slowly “bleach” hyperpigmented skin conditions. Hydroquinone 2-4%- is a prescription ingredient that works by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigmented portion of skin. Hydroquinone 2-4% can be used alone, or in conjunction with other aiding products.

Microdermabrasions and Peels - A series of microdermabrasion treatments or glycolic acid peels can mildly improve pigmentation problems and uneven tones. It works by gently exfoliating the top layer of the skin, to improve color, texture, and pore size. Deeper peels like TCA penetrate to deeper levels of the skin to remove even more of the sun damage, age spots, and pigmentation problems.