What Are Age Spots?
Age spots, also called liver spots or sun spots, are flat, brown, grey, or black spots that develop on the skin due to prolonged sun exposure. They commonly appear on areas exposed to sunlight, such as the face, hands, shoulders, arms, and décolletage.
These spots are harmless and do not require medical treatment, but many people choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons.
Ageing is a natural process, and just like the rest of the body, our skin undergoes many changes as we age. For one, it loses its elasticity and ability to renew itself. So you might begin to see fine lines and sagging skin. You might also start noticing small dark spots on areas like the face, décolletage, shoulders and arms. These are called age spots.
Age spots are fairly common amongst those above 50 years, but also appear on younger skin that has received a lot of sun exposure. They are pretty harmless, but are considered to be aesthetically unappealing, and a lot of people wish to remove them for cosmetic reasons.
Let us look at Age Spots, its causes and treatment in more detail.
Causes of Age Spots
Here are the various causes of age spots:
- Sun Exposure (UV Radiation): The primary cause of age spots is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The UV rays trigger an increase in melanin production, leading to pigmentation. Over time, repeated sun exposure causes melanin to clump together, forming dark spots.
- Aging Process: As skin ages, its ability to regenerate slows down, making it more prone to pigmentation issues. Older skin has a weakened natural defense against UV rays, increasing the risk of sun spots.
- Tanning Beds & Artificial UV Exposure: Frequent use of tanning beds exposes the skin to high levels of artificial UV light, accelerating melanin production and leading to age spots.
- Genetics: Some individuals are more genetically prone to developing age spots. If family members have age spots, the likelihood of developing them is higher.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, can influence melanin production, making skin more susceptible to pigmentation. Conditions like melasma (hormonal pigmentation) can worsen with sun exposure, leading to darker sun spots.
If you are concerned about age spots, various treatment options are available, including laser therapy, chemical peels, and prescription skincare. Consult Dr Shobhna Singh now to know your best therapy option.
How are age spots/sun spots treated?
The various advanced and secure treatments effective on all skin types include the following:
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a very popular option for removal of age spots, for those who do not wish to go down the laser treatment way. They are great for cases where the age spots are lighter. They are specially formulated to gently remove the outer layer of old skin, and reveal lighter, natural new skin beneath.
Apart from age spots, chemical peels also help in achieving smoother, even toned skin.
Fraxel Laser
The Fraxel Laser is a novel approach to treat age spots, reduce fine lines and pores and improve overall skin texture. This “fractional” way to laser skin resurfacing works by creating “micro-wounds” which kickstart the natural wound healing process, and results in the formation of new essential cell growth factors to replace damaged skin. This treatment is suitable for all skin types and is known to be safe (with well understood risk profile) and effective. Unlike some other treatments which may leave your face pink and swollen, the best part of this is that it requires little or no downtime so you can get back to your routine without a break.
At Nitai, we’ve been using this approach since many years, and our happy clients are testimony to the effectiveness of this treatment. This is also a good treatment to sustain your skin’s youthfulness over a longer period.
Proper skin care
Apart from these treatments, we recommend that you commit yourself to a regular skin care regime as prescribed by our cosmetologists and clinicians. Some simple habits like the daily use of a sunscreen can protect the skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure, and thus help prevent the appearance of further age spots. Also, using skin care products enriched with Vitamins like A, C and E can also promote good skin health and prevent the appearance of age spots.
Age spots removal will allow you to have flawless and blemish-free skin, and can help improve skin tone and complexion.
Why choose Nitai for your Age spot treatment?
Nitai Medical and Cosmetic Centre offers the most comprehensive TGA & FDA-approved treatment options for age spots in Melbourne.
Dr Shobhan Singh is a certified cosmetic physician with over 15 years of experience in skin aesthetics. She leads the team of highly trained clinicians, nurses and technicians at Nitai.
She patiently listens to your skin concerns, conducts detailed exams to understand your skin, thoroughly explains your skin condition, and suggests the most secure age spot removal treatments.
Are you unsure which treatment is right for you? We invite you to book an obligation-free consultation at our clinic, where our clinicians will recommend the treatment best suited for you. Due to the advanced technology available at our Melbourne clinic, most treatments will usually require one to three sessions. The cost of the treatment can vary depending on the intensity of your spots and the number of sessions required.
At Nitai, we value client satisfaction and take extra care to ensure that we deliver to your expectations. And this is the reason why we encourage follow up reviews for all our treatments. We urge our clients to ask questions and clear away any doubts they have before the treatment.
Call us on (03) 9454 6850 to book an appointment today.
Immediate Post-Treatment Effects & Long-Term Results of Age Spot Removal Treatments
Treatments for age spots (sun spots), such as Fraxel laser therapy and chemical peels, help fade pigmentation and improve skin tone. While these procedures are effective, they come with immediate post-treatment effects and long-term benefits that patients should be aware of.
- Immediate Post-Treatment Effects
- Redness & mild swelling: Treated areas may appear red and slightly swollen for a few hours to a few days. This is a natural response as the skin starts its regeneration process.
- Skin sensitivity: The treated area may feel warm, tender, or slightly irritated (similar to a mild sunburn). Avoid direct sun exposure and use gentle skincare products to soothe irritation.
- Peeling or flaking (with chemical peels and laser treatments): Superficial peeling may occur as the skin sheds damaged cells and begins to renew. Depending on the treatment depth, peeling usually lasts 3-7 days.
- Darkening of treated spots (temporary pigmentation effect): Age spots may darken before they fade and eventually disappear. This is part of the skin’s natural healing process and typically resolves within 1-2 weeks.
- Mild scabbing: Some treatments may cause tiny scabs to form over the treated areas. These fall off naturally within a week, revealing new, healthier skin underneath.
- Long-Term Results of Age Spot Removal Treatments
- Lightening or complete removal of age spots: Most patients notice significant fading within 2-4 weeks post-treatment. Some treatments, like Fraxel laser or chemical peels, may require multiple sessions for best results.
- More even skin tone & texture: The skin appears brighter, smoother, and rejuvenated as pigmentation fades. Treatments like lasers and peels also stimulate collagen production, improving overall skin quality.
- Long-lasting results (with proper maintenance): Age spots typically do not return once treated, especially with proper sun protection. However, new age spots can form due to ongoing sun exposure and aging.
- Reduced signs of sun damage and aging: Many treatments remove age spots and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It leads to a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
- Prevention of new pigmentation: Using broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), wearing hats, and avoiding excessive sun exposure can prevent new age spots from forming. Regularly using antioxidant skincare (like Vitamin C and niacinamide) can also help maintain even skin tone.
After undergoing an age spot removal treatment, the skin will go through an initial healing phase. Common immediate effects include:
With proper aftercare and sun protection, age spot removal treatments provide visible and long-lasting skin tone and clarity improvements.
If you’re considering age spot removal, consult a qualified skin physician at Nitai Medical & Cosmetic Centre to determine the best treatment for your skin.
