Sunspots – how do I get rid of them?
Hetty Notebomer Oct 12, 2022
Sun spots, pigment spots caused by sun damage, or also known as age spots. Often these spots become significantly darker in the summer and suddenly catch your eye. How do you get rid of them? Fortunately, Skin Project has the right treatment for this. This blog explains how such a spot occurs and how it can be prevented and treated!
How do sun spots develop?
Pigmentation manifests in many different forms. In this blog, we focused on pigmentation spots caused by sun damage. As described above, these sun spots are also referred to as "age spots," but this name is not always accurate. Pigmentation spots from sun damage can also occur at a younger age, around the age of 30. They appear on the body where the sun shines the most, such as the forehead, temples, or hands. The medical term for such a pigmentation spot or sun spot is lentigo solaris.
My sun spots become more visible in the summer! How can this be?
In the summer, the sun naturally shines stronger. Sunlight stimulates the pigment cells (melanin) in the skin, causing not only the rest of the skin but also the pigmentation spots to darken. This pigment is released to the epidermis. For this reason, a sunny summer can make the sun spots more visible.
Are my sun spots dangerous if I don't treat them?
In general, the well-known 'sun spots' are benign and their removal is of aesthetic importance. This can be treated with IPL and proper product use. However, there are malignant spots that can resemble these sun spots, so be careful that the spot does not change in size/shape or start to itch. In that case, we advise consulting a doctor.
How does the IPL treatment work?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Lightening. We use the Lumecca, the most powerful intense pulsed light (IPL) to treat pigmented and vascular lesions. Lumecca works with photothermolysis. How does this work exactly? The laser light is absorbed by the brown pigment cells in a fraction of a millisecond and converted into heat. The heating of these pigment cells causes coagulation (proteins in cells melt together).
After the treatment, the pigment is cleared by the body. The pigment turns dark and will fall off the skin like a scab. You may notice significant improvements in the tone and clarity of the skin. We recommend 1-2 treatments for optimal results.
How do I achieve optimal results?
In addition to the laser treatment, it is important to improve and continue to protect the skin condition, to lighten existing pigmentation spots and prevent new ones. At Skin Project, we have a wide range of products with active ingredients that are suitable for lightening and preventing pigmentation. During a consultation, we can explain in detail which products and treatments are suitable for each skin type. This can vary from person to person; every skin is different!
Are you curious if this treatment is suitable for you? Schedule a free and non-binding consultation and our skin therapist will provide appropriate advice.
