Tired of trying to cover up those spots? With just a few virtually painless laser age spot removal treatments, you’ll go from spotted, to clear and even-toned. Imagine leaving your home without using foundation or concealers!
These laser treatments are unique in that every treatment is customized specifically for each individual patient. The protocols are designed to interact with the body’s natural physiology, directing it to safely dissolve and remove the treated age spot.
Watch the video : What is laser age spot removal?
Years of sun damage, poor diet, systemic inflammation and exposure to smoking can wreak havoc on the skin and produce unsightly age spots and lesions.
Fortunately, AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare has an extensive selection of advanced lasers specifically engineered for treating all sorts of discolored skin. Including sunspots, age spots, liver spots, birthmarks and even melasma,
AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare’s unique protocols also moderate your body’s melanin level and cellular turnover rate, which is responsible for skin renewal.
Explore before and after results of laser age spot removal.
Explore before and after results of laser age spot removal.
What Are Those Dark Age Spots?
Years of sun exposure creates a much higher risk of sun damaged skin. UV exposure “triggers” an excess production of melanin, the natural pigment in our skin. This results in “solar lentigos”, also known as sunspots, age spots, or liver spots. These spots can appear in varying places on your body such as your hands, face, chest or back.
However, the sun is not the only trigger that can cause changes within the natural pigment of our skin. Hormonal fluctuations and a condition called Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) also play a critical role in hyperpigmentation.
Introducing the Melanocyte Cell…
Melanocyte cells are responsible for the production of melanin and can be triggered to disperse excessive amounts of pigment upward through the dermis, resulting in age spots, sunspots and melasma.
The majority of the skin cells within the epidermis form a protective layer, but about every eighth cell is a melanocyte cell. Melanocyte cells are responsible for the production of melanin. Melanin is produced at the bottom layer of the epidermis, on the border between the epidermis and the thick dermis that lies below it. The process of creating new melanin and pigmenting the skin resembles that of an assembly line.
First a trigger occurs, the sun, inflammation, injury or hormones, this sends a signal to the melanin-stimulating hormones. After this message is sent, the enzyme tyrosinase is activated. Once tyrosinase is signaled, the melanocyte cell receives a message to produce pigment. The melanocytes make melanin and package them into little bundles known as melanosomes. The cells then disperse excessive amounts of pigment upward through the dermis, resulting in hyperpigmentation.
As the skin ages, the cycle is less controlled (sun exposure and hormonal changes interrupt it), and the normal and steady distribution of melanin becomes more irregular and “clumpy”. As excess melanin is produced, hyperpigmentation forms. This is what creates the dark spots on the skin that stay indefinitely unless treated.
Watch the video : Learn more about Melanocytes
The Different Types of Age Spots that Lasers can Remove
Most people just call them freckles, but there are actually several different types of spots on the skin and each has it’s own unique characteristics. Most are harmless but some can turn into a malignant melanoma.
Solar Lentigos AKA Lentigines
Adult lentigines start to develop later in life, are typically darker than freckles with a tan, brown, or dark brown coloration. Oval to circular in shape, solar lentigines come in a range of sizes. The head, face, hands, arms, and upper trunk are typically the places where they appear as these are the places most often exposed to the sun. They are caused by an increase in the number of melanocyte cells along with epidermal hyperplasia.
Lentigines should be watched for any abnormal changes as they can turn into a malignant melanoma.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is a relatively typical lesion. Teenagers frequently get seborrheic keratoses as they can begin relatively early in life. Aging has a tendency to make them bigger and more numerous. The color of the pigment might range from skin tone to pink, brown, or black. The majority of seborrheic keratoses are characterized by their typical texture, and characteristics.
Seborrheic keratoses are generally benign, but occasionally cancer can develop within a lesion. Individual lesions may sometimes itch or look unpleasant; in such cases, treatment is frequently necessary.
Freckles
Sun exposure causes childhood freckles which are more prevalent in fair-skinned people, especially those with red hair. Freckles get their coloration from increased pigment brought on by sun exposure. With time and sunscreen, freckles usually gradually fade away on their own.
Epidermal Nevus
Overgrowth of one or more epidermis-related tissues results in the development of this kind of nevus. These lesions are frequently linear, hyper-pigmented and and have a wart-like appearance.
Sebaceous nevus are frequently found on the scalp. Becker nevus are typically located around the shoulders. Both are mostly solitary anomalies, though they can occasionally be found in congenital syndromes.
The Laser Age Spot Removal Treatment
At AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare we use a unique combination of lasers whose energies are gently absorbed by the extra pigment (melanin). This stimulates your skins natural “melanin turnover” system which removes old melanin and replaces it with new evenly toned skin.
All age spots are not created equal, so it is vital to properly identify your spot and customize your treatment accordingly.
Depending on the type, depth and density of your pigmentation, from age spots to birthmarks to melasma, we have 15 different laser energies that can remove all age spot discolorations. We have been performing laser age spot removal for over 20 years and have gotten pretty good at determining which of the 5 different types of energy-frequencies and 3 different energy pulses would be best for your particular skin.
Preparing for the Treatment
It’s simple. We want your skin to be as calm as possible during the course of your age spot removal treatments. For 10 days prior to your treatment:
- Stay out of the sun.
- Do not use any products on your skin that irritate, stimulate or exfoliate your skin.
What to Expect During Treatment
Generally speaking, the energy levels used for this treatment are relatively low. The frequencies of energy are customized and very precise, but the power level used is low.
One of the lasers we may use to remove age spots and other hyperpigmentation is a Q-Switched laser.
You will barely feel it… and with a little bit of topical anesthetic, you won’t feel it at all.
After the Treatment
Immediately following most laser removal procedures, patients will experience some redness and slight swelling of the treated area. This usually dissipates within a few hours, though in rare cases, may last a few days.
The pigmented age spots typically change color. Some will get slightly darker and others may turn an ashen color. This is an indication that the laser energy was successfully absorbed into the melanin.
To enhance the results and promote the long-term health of your skin, specially formulated medical-grade moisturizers and exquisite skincare products are applied to the treated area immediately after each treatment.
Additionally, hair growth may be temporarily impaired in the treated area. Although this is not the intended purpose of this particular treatment, it does happen.
What our fabulous patients say about their laser hyperpigmentation removal experience.
“Dr. Pien is very patient in treating your spots and trying different lasers until she finds the one that works for your skin. Usually the first one. I highly recommend Dr. Pien. She is very knowledgeable in her profession.”
“I have been receiving laser treatments to help even the pigmentation of my skin and some brown spots, and Dr. Pien sets the bar very high when it comes to her work. Im am amazed, almost in disbelief, of how my skin improved over time.”
“I have a pigmentation condition and this is by far the only place that has shown me some serious results. They also have a holistic approach to pigmentation treatment that it changed the way I see life and how I take care of myself.”
What our fabulous patients say about their laser hyperpigmentation removal experience.
“Dr. Pien is very patient in treating your spots and trying different lasers until she finds the one that works for your skin. Usually the first one. I highly recommend Dr. Pien. She is very knowledgeable in her profession.”
“I have been receiving laser treatments to help even the pigmentation of my skin and some brown spots, and Dr. Pien sets the bar very high when it comes to her work. Im am amazed, almost in disbelief, of how my skin improved over time.”
“I have a pigmentation condition and this is by far the only place that has shown me some serious results. They also have a holistic approach to pigmentation treatment that it changed the way I see life and how I take care of myself.”
The Results of Laser Age Spot Removal
Watch the video : The PICO laser for removing pigmentation
When Will My Age Spots Fade Away?
Within a few days after the first laser age spot removal treatment, pigmented skin lesions begin to show results. Some of your spots may flake off your skin in 3-7 days, while other spots will gradually fade.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
For darker and well-defined spots in which the melanin is close to the surface, a series of 3-4 treatments are typically sufficient to fade them away. These age spots on the skin often turn slightly darker and “grayish,” becoming “crusty.” Then they simply flake off in 3-7 days, leaving perfectly colored skin underneath.
For larger pigmented areas in which the melanin is deeper and irregular, such as melasma or pigmented birthmarks such as café-au-lait birthmarks, progressive fading will occur over a series of successive treatments until the hyperpigmentation is removed.
Laser Age Spot Removal Faqs
Q. What are pigmented skin lesions?
A. Pigmented skin lesions such as sunspots, age spots and liver spots are areas of skin that have higher than normal levels of melanin making them darker than the surrounding skin. They appear as brown spots on the skin. They are usually the result of aging and/or sun exposure, on in the case of melasma, these brown spots are also influenced greatly by hormonal fluctuations.
The most common pigmented skin lesions that people have are sunspots, age spots and liver spots; people can also create man-made pigmented skin lesions in the form of tattoos. The appearance of sunspots, liver spots and age spots can present themselves as brown or dark spots on the skin in a variety of locations such as the arms or face, tend to vary in shape, size, and depth, and can appear to be flat or slightly raised. Although the majority of these brown spots are harmless and only a cause of cosmetic concern, some sunspots or moles can be precancerous, making their analysis and removal a medical necessity.
Q. What is the difference between an age spot, sunspot and liver spot?
A. Though the underlying causes might differ for different patients, those three names are essentially synonymous. They all treat effectively and easily.
Q. How are age spots, sunspots and liver spots treated?
A. Pigmented skin lesions such as sunspots, age spots and liver spots are effectively treated by medical lasers. The laser that will be used for the sunspot, liver spot and age spot removal depends on the kind of brown spot the patient has, and the shape, size, and depth of the pigmented skin lesion.
For each kind of pigmented lesion a customized age spot removal protocol has been developed that utilizes specific lasers that engage the body’s natural physiological processes that regulate the skin’s melanin content and turnover. In this way the body itself is stimulated and directed to eliminate the brown spots on the skin. The “partnership” between our scientific protocols and the body’s natural physiological mechanisms is the magic that produces the safest and gentlest treatments and superior results.
Q. How much does this treatment cost?
A. We charge by time. Therefore, the size of your spots, and the complexity of the lasers we need to use to treat it will determine the time necessary and thus the price.
Q. Is the treatment permanent?
A. Depending on the underlying medical conditions and lifestyle factors causing these pigmented lesions, periodic maintenance removal treatments may be needed to keep your skin spot-free.
Q. Is the treatment performed by a doctor?
A. Depending on the complexity of the dyspigmentation, either a doctor or highly trained RN will treat the patient. The protocols are always set by the doctor for the RN to follow.
Q. Can you remove age spots on the hands?
A. Absolutely!
Q. Will this treatment work for Fitzpatrick skin type 4?
A. Yes, we treat type 4 skin with pigmentation issues every day of the week. In fact, hyperpigmentation is most common in that skin type and patients with that skin type fly in from all over the world for us to treat their hyperpigmentation.
Q. I’m skin type 4. Why did my spots get worse after laser treatment?
A. We are really sorry to hear this.
Melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) in Skin Type 4 might be extremely sensitive to irritation. People with this skin type are aware that even a minor injury can cause pigmentation known as “post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.” As a result, therapies to eliminate pigmented patches that might work on lighter skin types are frequently too harsh for Skin Type 4, upsetting the melanocytes and causing the pigmentation to return, and in some cases worsen.
We have a full range of 30+ cutting-edge lasers and other treatment methods with which we meticulously customize treatment protocols to your specific skin type. As a result, our personalized protocols combining cutting-edge technologies with our physiological approach to medicine are the most comprehensive and advanced forms of laser therapy produced exclusively for your skin, regardless of the amount of melanin.
Learn More About Our Laser Treatments for Hyperpigmentation
References - Read the Science Behind Laser Age Spot Removal...
Everything on our website comes from from reputable publications, books and scientific journals, most of which are available on PubMed and other government websites. These include Meta-Analysis’, Randomized Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, Systematic Reviews, Books and Documents. We encourage you to read the science, in order to separate fact from fiction, so that you can arrive at a full understanding of what is best for your skin. We would be honored to be a part of that educational journey with you.
- Imokawa G. Melanocyte Activation Mechanisms and Rational Therapeutic Treatments of Solar Lentigos. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Jul 26;20(15):3666. doi: 10.3390/ijms20153666. PMID: 31357457; PMCID: PMC6695993.
- Schwartz C, Jan A, Zito PM. Hydroquinone. 2023 Mar 7. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30969515.
- Araghi F, Ohadi L, Moravvej H, Amani M, Allameh F, Dadkhahfar S. Laser treatment of benign melanocytic lesion: a review. Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Dec;37(9):3353-3362. doi: 10.1007/s10103-022-03642-9. Epub 2022 Sep 12. PMID: 36097230<
- Taylor CR, Anderson RR. Treatment of benign pigmented epidermal lesions by Q-switched ruby laser. Int J Dermatol. 1993 Dec;32(12):908-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1993.tb01417.x. PMID: 8125702
- Yardman-Frank JM, Fisher DE. Skin pigmentation and its control: From ultraviolet radiation to stem cells. Exp Dermatol. 2021 Apr;30(4):560-571. doi: 10.1111/exd.14260. Epub 2020 Dec 24. PMID: 33320376; PMCID: PMC8218595
- Aurangabadkar SJ. Optimizing Q-switched lasers for melasma and acquired dermal melanoses. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2019 Jan-Feb;85(1):10-17. doi: 10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_1086_16. PMID: 30027914.
- Gaffey MM, Johnson AB. Laser Treatment Of Pigmented Lesions. 2022 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32809448.
- Labadie JG, Krunic AL. Long pulsed dye laser with a back-to-back double-pulse technique and compression for the treatment of epidermal pigmented lesions. Lasers Surg Med. 2019 Feb;51(2):136-140. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23009. Epub 2018 Oct 15. PMID: 30320904.
- Ungaksornpairote C, Manuskiatti W, Junsuwan N, Wanitphakdeedecha R. A Prospective, Split-Face, Randomized Study Comparing Picosecond to Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser for Treatment of Epidermal and Dermal Pigmented Lesions in Asians. Dermatol Surg. 2020 Dec;46(12):1671-1675. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002486. PMID: 32604235.
- Friedmann DP, Timmerman A, Cahana Z. Prospective Study of 532-nm Picosecond Laser for the Treatment of Pigmented Lesions of the Face and Dorsal Hands. Dermatol Surg. 2022 Nov 1;48(11):1215-1219. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003602. Epub 2022 Oct 18. PMID: 36342252.
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