Age spots and hyperpigmentation can happen to anyone, but as the name suggests, they appear more frequently as you age. While hyperpigmentation and age spots can be a result of genetics, most of the time, they appear because of sun exposure.
That said, even if they appear, it doesn’t mean they have to remain on your skin. You can reduce them with the proper treatment. This blog will discuss a few non or minimally invasive alternatives from Dr. Travis Shaw that help to reduce excess pigmentation and obtain an even skin tone.
Why Do Age Spots and Hyperpigmentation Happen?
Age spots (or sun spots) and hyperpigmentation happen because the pigment in your skin becomes hyperactive. When Ultraviolet (UV) light falls on the skin, the latter produces more melanin (the pigment that gives your skin color). The more melanin you have, the better your skin should be able to protect itself. It is one of the reasons why people with darker skin color rarely get sunburned.
After years of sun exposure, those pigment cells begin to clump, becoming more visible. The more you spend time outside, the higher the concentration of melanin typically is. To reduce the visibility of these spots, we recommend that you gradually remove the damaged skin layers.
Best Treatments for Unwanted Pigmentation Spots
Multiple treatments can be used to effectively reduce excess pigmentation from the skin, including the following:
1. Lumenis® Ultrapulse CO2
Through CO2 laser technology, Lumenis® Ultrapulse CO2 uses an ablative laser to remove the top layer of the skin. As the CO2 energy bursts disrupt the hold of the pigment from your skin cells, they will be naturally removed through regeneration. The warmth of the laser also promotes new collagen production, triggering a skin resurfacing process. Within a couple of sessions, beautiful results will begin to become apparent.
2. HydraFacial®
If your skin also feels dull and dehydrated, we recommend the HydraFacial® treatment. The first steps of the procedure involve exfoliation and extraction, where dead and damaged cells are removed from the skin. The gentle scrub can remove the top damaged layer of the skin, and the extraction part eliminates the impurities from your pores. The procedure ends with a brightening serum to improve your complexion and give you a natural glow.
3. Chemical Peels
Exfoliation can reduce the bond between the dead skin cells and the healthy ones, removing the top damaged layer. Using various exfoliating acids like TCA or salicylic acid, chemical peels send your skin into healing mode, triggering a peeling process. You can opt for superficial peels if the spots are small, but medium and deep peels can be more helpful if the damage is extensive.
4. Microdermabrasion
If you are looking for a simple treatment to reduce age spots, then microdermabrasion should be your go-to. This tool uses an abrasive device to exfoliate the outer skin layer, removing the dead cells and excess pigment. After the skin has been effectively moisturized and protected with sunblock, you can see brighter skin in just a few sessions.
5. Microchanneling
If you want to go deeper into the skin, then microchanneling is a good alternative. This facial resurfacing procedure uses a device with ultra-small needles to create controlled injuries in your skin, stimulating collagen production. As the cell turnover process is kicked off, the pigmented cells on the surface should be naturally removed within one to two weeks. Remember that the greater the pigmentation, the more sessions you might need.
Say Goodbye to Hyperpigmentation!
Age spots and hyperpigmentation can happen to anyone, especially after the summer season. While many pigmentation spots fade with time, not all do, and you may need to address them if they begin to bother you. Dr. Travis Shaw at Synergy by Shaw can help you find a solution to your problems, and all it takes is an appointment!
For more information about the best treatments to address age spots and hyperpigmentation, contact Dr. Travis Shaw at 804-775-4559. He can offer you all the information you need to determine the right course of treatment. Alternatively, you can fill out the provided online contact form, and we will contact you as soon as possible!
