Age spots, also called wisdom spots, brown spots, or sun spots, typically appear on our skin as we get older and are generally harmless. If you have noticed small or large brown spots developing on your face, hands, or shoulders, or large patches of brownish discoloration on your skin that darken during the summer, you may have developed age spots.
In some cases, what may look like age spots could actually be precancerous lesions. Therefore, it’s important to have skin discolorations evaluated regularly by your primary care doctor or a dermatologist. Here at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, PC, we offer evaluation and a variety of treatments for age spots.
Schedule a consultation today at CSDERM to talk about a treatment plan for age spots with one of our board-certified dermatologists in the Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Cañon City, CO, areas:
What causes age spots?
These blotchy brown spots, also called hyperpigmentation, can be caused by a number of factors. Years of sun exposure, genetics, age, or medications, including hormonal products, can contribute to the development of brown spots, focal areas with a high concentration of pigment cells called melanocytes. Excess melanin may collect either in the top layer of the skin (epidermis) or in the deeper layers (dermis). Because they present differently, age spots require an individualized treatment program.
Key differences between Age Spots and Sun Spots
- Age Spots (Solar Lentigines): These are flat, harmless pigmented spots that generally appear after age 50, though they can appear sooner due to accumulated sun damage. They do not fade and are very common on the face, hands, and shoulders.
- Sun Spots (Actinic Keratoses/Solar Lentigines): While often used synonymously with age spots, “sun spots” sometimes refers to actinic keratoses.
- True Sun Spots (Solar Lentigines): Similar to age spots, they are flat, brown, and caused by UV light.
- Actinic Keratoses: These are precancerous, rough, scaly lesions that can turn into squamous cell carcinoma. They may appear pink, red, or brown.
Resource: www.health.harvard.edu
How can age spots be treated?
Freezing therapy is a common treatment option for removing concerning sun spots, which involves applying liquid nitrogen to essentially blister off the discolored patch of skin. For cosmetic concerns, age spots are typically treated with lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments. These light-based procedures target melanin in brown spots without damaging the surrounding skin, making them a safe and effective way to eliminate age spots and other discolored brown patches.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment
IPL devices treat combinations of skin issues rather than a single target of laser treatments. The procedure makes skin more evenly colored by decreasing uneven, discolored areas like age spots while brightening the skin and imparting a more youthful appearance. Because the IPL machine can deliver a wide range of light colors simultaneously, it can be adjusted to treat large areas suffering from multiple conditions.
What is the treatment process?
During laser treatment, the laser is focused on specific spots. With IPL, the wand is moved over an entire treatment site, lightening and diffusing all types of sun damage on the face, neck, arms, legs, and chest.
What can I expect after treatment?
IPL treatments generally take between 15 and 30 minutes. Patients report discomfort afterward, similar to a mild sunburn, and their skin may be red for a few hours. Over the next few weeks, treated brown spots may darken, fade, and flake off. A series of up to four treatments administered at one-month intervals may be required for optimal results.
Other age spot treatments
Treatments like laser skin resurfacing, which is designed to smooth the skin’s texture, are also used to diffuse age spots. The type of treatment your physician chooses will depend on whether you have deep sun damage and whether you have red spots in addition to brown areas.
Fraxel ReStore
Used for various skin conditions, including brown spots, Fraxel ReStore uses pulses from a laser directed at tiny areas of skin within the desired area. Pulses cause controlled damage, prompting the body to produce new, youthful skin to replace damaged skin. Treatment lasts about 30 minutes. You may experience some redness and swelling for a day or two, and you will need to protect your skin with sunscreen and other protective measures.
How is treatment paid for?
Age spot treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not normally covered by insurance.
Our locations
We offer medical dermatology at four CSDERM locations:
Central Colorado Springs
170 Parkside Dr
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Phone: (719) 471-1763
North Colorado Springs
2060 Briargate Pkwy, Ste 150
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: (719) 471-1763
Pueblo
406 North Main St
Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: (719) 566-0176
Cañon City
1332 Bauer Ln
Cañon City, CO 81212
Phone: (719) 275-7485