Most people will experience some level of skin discoloration over time. In a sunny climate such as Los Angeles, frequent sun exposure is part of everyday life, making it difficult to prevent the development of pigmented blotches. Generally referred to as age spots, these brown patches can be persistent despite your best efforts to get rid of them on your own.
Skin tone has a lot to do with how others perceive you and your presumed age. According to a Procter & Gamble beauty study, age spots can make a woman look as much as 20 years older than her chronological age. Hardly what anyone has in mind when enjoying a weekend in the sun.
Improving the appearance of brown spots is increasingly more effective with newer medical technology. Our dermatology team has ample experience with age spots and other pigmentation problems, and we can provide customized treatment recommendations. A personal visit with Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald will help you understand your options. Please call 323-464-8046 today to schedule your age spot consultation at our Los Angeles cosmetic dermatology office.
Are Age Spots from Age?
The term "age spot" is somewhat of a misnomer since you don't actually develop these dark marks and blotches from the aging process alone. Instead, they are a direct effect of long term UV exposure. Over time, ultraviolet light actually changes your skin's DNA "instructions." Melanin cells, which are called into action to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, become altered and start producing increased pigment in a haphazard way.
Age does have its own impact in making age spots more obvious. Decreased cell turnover caused by the aging process often results in a greater accumulation of these pigmentation markings over time. Fortunately, brown spots are harmless and don't result in increased risk of skin cancer.
Age Spot Treatment Options
Dr. Fitzgerald offers a variety of effective treatments to help you improve the appearance of brown spots. Depending on your unique needs, she may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Pico Genesis - next level laser
- BBL PhotoFacial broad band light
- Fractional laser treatments
- Cosmelan Depigmentation
- Enerpeels "no peel" chemical peels
- Obagi Skin Renew System
BBL photofacial uses light to break up melanin granules in your skin. Once broken up, these shattered pigment particles are more easily sloughed off through natural cell turnover. BBL is faster and more effective than standard IPL.
Fractional laser treatments both reduce pigmentation issues and improve skin texture, particularly beneficial if you have rough skin. Potential fractional treatment options include Fraxel DUAL or Halo Hybrid Laser.
Cosmelan Depigmentation begins with an in-office peel to quickly lift excess superficial pigmentation. After this pigment-removing mask, Dr. Fitzgerald will prescribe an ongoing at-home treatment program to help suppress the development of new pigmentation problems.
Obagi Skin Renew System incorporates prescription ingredients to facilitate the lightening of pigmentation and suppress melanin production. Topical products will improve age spots and general discoloration over time.
Please contact Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald using the form on this page or call 323-464-8046 today to schedule your age spot consultation. We serve patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Larchmont, California.
