Treatment Options for Age Spots
Age spots, also known as liver spots, are flat, brown-black spots that usually occur in sun-exposed areas of the body. They are unrelated to the liver or liver function. New Jersey plastic surgeon Dr. Ganchi offers various treatment options to improve your age spots and enhance the natural beauty of your skin. Allison, Dr. Ganchi’s highly-trained esthetician, performs many of these treatments.
How to Remove Age Spots:
Dr. Ganchi employs several treatment types depending on your needs and preferences.
Photofacial IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Therapy)
IPL is a quick, gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses concentrated, directed, light to reduce or vanish age spots. IPL destroys the melanin-producing cells without damaging the surface of the skin. The damaged cells are naturally removed by the body, giving the skin a naturally more even and youthful tone and appearance.
During an IPL treatment the broad spectrum of light is transmitted through a small, smooth handpiece, which is gently played over the surface of the affected area. The range of wavelengths can be adjusted for different applications and skin types.
It normally takes about four to six full-face IPL treatments or treatments of an isolated body area, such as the hands, administered at four-week intervals to get the proper results. Age spots fade gradually over several weeks or months after treatment and patients are asked to wear sun protection before and after receiving IPL skin treatments.
Freezing (cryotherapy)
During a cryotherapy procedure a cotton-tipped swab is used to apply liquid nitrogen or another approved freezing agent to the age spots to destroy the extra pigment in that area of the skin. As the age spot heals, the skin appears lighter. This freezing procedure in often used on a single age spot or a small grouping of spots.
Expect some mild discomfort during the cryotherapy procedure and mild pain for a few hours after treatment. An over-the-counter pain reliever should be sufficient to ease any discomfort.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
A dermabrasion treatment involves the light sanding or planning of the outer layer of skin of an age spot with a small rapidly rotating brush. The procedure removes the very top surface of the skin allowing a new layer to grow in its place. The new skin will not have the discoloration of the layer that’s been removed.
The dermabrasion procedure may need to be undergone more than once in order get the desired result. It may take a series of procedures performed over several months to get the best outcome. Expect a temporary redness and scab formation after treatment. These disappear within a short period of time.
Microdermabrasion is similar to dermabrasion but is a much less aggressive approach for minimal age spots.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel improves the appearance of age spots by applying an FDA approved chemical solution to the discolored area of the skin. This acid burns the outer layer of the age spot, causing the skin to peel. New undamaged skin is formed to take the place of that which has been chemically peeled. This gives the skin a fresher, younger appearance.
- Several treatments may be required before you notice results.
- Patients are strongly advised to wear sun protection before and following a chemical peel.
- Temporary redness at the location of the peel may be seen, but this disappears quickly.
Where will my Age Spot treatment be performed?
All age spot treatments are performed at Ganchi Plastic Surgery Center. Our Plastic Surgery Practice is located in Wayne, New Jersey, where we welcome local and out of town guests for consultations and the best age spot treatments in New Jersey.
Give us a call or make an appointment to discuss your personal needs with Dr. Ganchi or is staff esthetician.
