Sunspots

Sunspots are often wrongly termed age-spots. They are not so much caused by age than by cumulative sun- and other UV-exposure. They typically occur at sun-exposed sites like the face, hands, arms, neck and décolleté. Sunspots are not dangerous and if they dont disturb they can be left alone.

Removal of sunspots

If people want sunspots removed for cosmetic reasons a laser- or IPL-treatment is the best option, with the shortest down-time and the best cosmetic result. Both methods give good results. They are better than cryosurgery. Sunspots that have been removed are gone for good. To prevent new spots from developing you should be sun-smart.

To treat individual sunspots we use a Neodymium:YAG-Laser. for large areas like the face an IPL-treatment might be a better option.

In both cases the laser-light is absorbed by the pigment of the spots and transformed into heat, which in turns fragments the pigment which is then eliminated by special cells in our skin.

The treatment

the treatment is performed with or without local anaesthetic cream or cold packs. After the treatment there is a burning sensation on the treated areas for a couple of hours.

Side effects and other information

7-10 days after the treatment the sunspots will turn dark and then "fall off". Then the areas of the spots will be reddish, typically for some 2-4 weeks. It is very important that during this time they are not exposed to UV-light. This explains why the preferable time of the treatment is the winter. Also, the result is better when at the time of treatment there has been no sun exposure for some 4 weeks. It is rather rare that more than one laser-treatment is necessary. Contrary to an IPL-treatment, where we perform a series of 4 treatments in monthly intervals