Age Spots

What are age spots?

Sun spots, age spots, liver spots - they’re all different terms for the same thing dark patches that appear on skin that’s exposed to the sunlight like the face, hands and decolletage.

The sun is responsible for most of the visible signs of skin ageing including pigmentation changes like age spots. The damage starts in childhood and continues throughout life. 

Why do age spots develop?

Melanin is the skin’s natural pigment. It absorbs the sun’s UV-radiation to protect the skin from burning. However, if you’re exposed to too much sun for too long the melanin producing cells (melanocytes) increase, there’s too much melanin and brown sun spots will appear.

As you get older, the number of melanocytes gets lower but the ones you have get bigger and concentrated on areas that are often exposed to the sun. That’s why age spots are more common in people over 40.

Preventing age spots

It’s never too late to start protecting your skin from the sun:

• Wear a daily sunblock with an SPF of at least 30.
• Slip on a hat, sunglasses and a shirt in the sun.
• Avoid direct sunlight especially in the middle of the day.

Age spot treatment at The Medical Chambers

We will assess your skin and discuss your treatment goals before recommending a treatment plan. This may include:

Plasma Skin Regeneration

PSR is a ground-breaking new way to resurface and regenerate the skin. It uses targeted plasma energy to heat the skin surface without damaging surrounding tissues. Plasma Skin Regeneration treats sun spots and reveals brighter, clearer skin.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a type of mechanical exfoliation using fine aluminium crystals. The treatment removes the outer layers of dull and discoloured skin to reveal the smooth clear skin underneath. A course of microdermabrasion resurfaces the skin and treats pigmentation problems and age spots.

Chemical peels

Controlled medical peels use chemicals to gently remove your skin’s surface. Following treatment, the patchy pigmentation has been peeled away and the new skin growing should be softer, smoother and more even in tone.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a skin treatment that uses your skin’s healing powers. A derma roller covered with fine needles makes multiple tiny holes in your skin. Each puncture triggers your natural wound healing response, which regenerates and repairs the skin.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is microinjections of vitamins, minerals and amino acids to nourish and rejuvenate your skin. A customised chemical blend is injected into the dermis of your skin. The micronutrients boosts skin cell regeneration and repair, improving your skin’s tone, texture and pigmentation.

Topical treatments

Clinical strength skin treatments and cosmeceuticals can be prescribed to treat age spots, pigmentation problems and sun damage. Ingredients including tretinoin and hydroxyquinone are particularly effective.