Pigmentation and Brown Spots

Brown age spots on the skin of the neck and chest are easily treated

There are a range of different causes of pigmentation that are easily treated with Fraxel Dual laser, Elos Aurora or IPL. Treatments are different depending on what type of pigmentation is affecting your skin. The brown pigmentation is called melanin and is made by special cells in the skin called melanocytes. The main categories of pigmentation problem are freckles, age spots, (also called liver spots or sun spots) melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. A doctor at Palm Clinic can tell you what type of pigmentation you have. You may have a combination of pigment problems.

Freckles

Freckles are small flat brown marks on sun exposed areas.

The medical term is ‘ephilide’ and they are an accumulation of melanin in the surface skin cells (keratinocytes). The tendency to form freckles is inherited and is often seen in red heads and younger people. Freckles usually fade in winter and reappear in summer. They need no treatment except sun protection. They can also be faded by Photoderm IPL laser or Elos Aurora, but will reappear with sun exposure. No treatment can transform a skin which freckles, into one which tans evenly.  Of course, further sun exposure can bring the freckles out again so it is very important to wear a good sunscreen following treatment to maximise results.

Age spots are larger flat skin spots on the face and hands that appear in middle age after years of sun exposure. The medical term is ‘solar lentigo’ (plural: lentigines). They are caused by an accumulation of the cells that make pigment and fade but don’t disappear in winter.

If the brown marks are scaly, they may be solar keratoses (pre-cancerous sun damage) or seborrheic keratoses (senile warts). It is also important to distinguish them from early malignant melanoma (lentigo maligna). If the spot has appeared recently, has an irregular border, has more than one colour or you have any doubts see your doctor for a check. Sun spots should always be protected from the sun. They can be faded with creams containing hydroquinone, alpha-hydroxy acids, retinoids and vitamin C. Stronger, quicker options to fade or remove spots are liquid nitrogen, chemical peels and many lasers.

Palm Clinic’s best option for treating age spots or freckles is Photoderm IPL and Elos Aurora lasers which reduce the top layers of pigment, fading the brown spot without reducing the number of melanocytes. Good sun protection is essential after treatment to prevent brown spots darkening again. These lasers also reduce red veins and promote natural collagen formation. Alternatively the revolutionary new Fraxel Dual laser which partially resurfaces the skin can also be used to remove brown spots. The melanocyte population is reduced making the brown spots less likely to recur. Fine lines and skin texture are significantly smoothed at the same time improving the overall appearance of the skin.