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    Age Spots

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    What Are Age Spots?

    Age spots, also known as liver spots or sun-spots, are dark patches of pigmentation that appear on the skin. While they are called age spots, they are not necessarily formed because of age but rather excessive over-exposure to the sun. They can sometimes be mistaken for freckles or cancerous growths but in fact, they are caused by an overproduction of melanin. This results in hyperpigmentation, where small patches of skin are turned a different colour, usually brown – but they can range from beige to black and even pink.

    What Do Age Spots Look Like?

    Age spots often appear in places such as the hands, chest, shoulders, arms, upper back and face, as these are the areas that are frequently in the sun.

    The dark spots vary in shape, size and colour. Some are very faint and can be greyish, whereas others can look like brown freckles. However, they’re generally flat, small and oval. As you age, if not preventing the developing of them with treatments and skincare, it’s likely that more and more may appear – some spots may merge into others to form a larger patch of pigmentation.

    Who Can Get Age Spots?

    Age spots can be an indication of frequent or prolonged exposure to the sun. For this reason, you might expect to see an increase in age spots as you age.

    Those with fairer skin and/or red or lighter hair may develop more age spots at a younger age than those with darker skin types. The more sun exposure you’ve had, the more likely you are to develop age spots.

    Why Age Spots Form

    The actual cause of age spots is unknown, but they occur more in those that have exposed themselves to UV damage through sun exposure. As a result, the body produces an excessive amount of melanin that can concentrate and cluster in certain areas like the hands and face.

    With a combination of natural skin ageing, age spots are more likely to develop.

    Answering More Questions on Age Spots

    Age spots may fade in the winter or less sunnier months, however, it is rare that age spots will go away on their own as they are a sign of sun damage. If anything, the prominence and visibility of age spots may worsen over time when left alone.

    The actual cause of age spots is unknown, but they occur more in those that have exposed themselves to UV damage through sun exposure. As a result, the body produces an excessive amount of melanin that can concentrate and cluster in certain areas like the hands and face.

    With a combination of natural skin ageing, age spots are more likely to develop.

    Age spots and liver spots are a similar colour – which is why they often get incorrectly mistaken for them. Originally age spots where called liver spots because it was thought that these were the signs of liver problems.

    Age spots can be an indication of frequent or prolonged exposure to the sun. For this reason, you might expect to see an increase in age spots as you age.

    Those with fairer skin and/or red or lighter hair may develop more age spots at a younger age than those with darker skin types. The more sun exposure you’ve had, the more likely you are to develop age spots.

    Treatments for Age Spots

    A lot of patients ask if age spots are dangerous, and while age spots are usually benign, if they start to change shape, colour, or size, or you are concerned about their appearance then should consult your Dermatologist or doctor. The changes in their appearance could be symptomatic of a more severe concern such as melanoma which is a form of skin cancer.

     

    ClearLift

    ClearLift

    The laser treatment ClearLift can resurface the skin to improve patches of irregular skin tone. The treatment delivers energy to shatter the pigment cells. However, stimulating melanocytes through laser therapy can lead to further pigmentation in darker skin types, so your practitioner may recommend alternative treatment methods.

    During your consultation, one of our certified laser aestheticians will assess your suitability for treatment and discuss your treatment goals and conditions.

    This treatment is painless, and the aesthetician will make a few passes over the treatment area with a hand-held device. You may feel a slight warm zap in sensitive areas. You will require several treatment sessions to benefit from the optimal effects that ClearLift offers.

    The treatment takes from around 20 minutes to an hour.

    The Clearlift Treatment uses Harmony XL Pro laser and a fractional Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser with near infrared technology. The device disperses pixelated energy at a depth of 3mm into the skin to create a controlled process of damaging and healing. This triggers the skin to remodel itself without causing visible damage to the surface layers.

    We recommend 4-6 treatment sessions.

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    woman doing chemical peel for blackheads Chemical Skin Peels

    Chemical Skin Peels

    Skin peels use chemical compounds and acids to remove damaged layers of the skin to reveal a smoother and more even skin tone. As the skin peel dissolves the outermost layers of the skin, it also fades and lightens pigmentation.

    The treatment begins with a consultation where your practitioner will assess your skin to decipher your skin conditions and the best course of treatment.

    Certain peels like Cosmelan or Enerpeel may require skin preparation with the use of at-home products in the lead up to your appointment. Your practitioner will prescribe a list of recommended products that will be suitable for you or provide you with the appropriate preparation kit.

    If we’re treating you with a Cosmelan peel, we’ll require you to use a prepping de-pigmentation kit before your initial treatment to prepare your skin for the peel.

    During your treatment, your practitioner will double cleanse and prepare the skin by applying a barrier cream around sensitive areas and remove all sebum to aid penetration of the acids.

    Following this, we will apply the peel of choice and leave it on for a few minutes before neutralising or removing the peel. A neutraliser will prevent the acid from working on the skin, whereas a removal wipe will leave the acid active on the skin to continue improving the complexion following treatment.

    Chemical skin peels are suitable for anyone who is looking for overall skin rejuvenation and an improvement in skin tone and texture. Or, those who have:

    • Acne
    • Acne scars
    • Pigmentation and sun-spots
    • Mild actinic keratosis
    • Moderate wrinkles or fine lines
    • Rosacea
    • Large or open pores
    • Crepey skin

    The duration of the treatment will depend on your custom needs. Some peels may be left on for longer, depending on your needs and tolerance to treatment. Typically, it’ll take around 30 minutes.

    Chemical skin peels vary in strength and substance and are either superficial, medium or deep depending on your skin concerns and skin type.

    The acids and other active compounds react with the skin and dissolve the outermost layers of the skin to reveal a fresher, clearer and brighter complexion. Chemical skin peels also promote collagen and elastin growth that will encourage the growth of healthier skin.

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    iPixel for C-Section Treatment iPixel

    iPixel

    With a pixelated laser penetration, this treatment absorbs melanin with a highly targeted approach to even out your overall complexion and reduce superficial age spots.

    Your consultation will determine your suitability for treatment.

    The nurse will apply a numbing cream to minimise discomfort during treatment. We will configure the depth depending on the area and concern, and the device will make a few passes over your skin, delivering bursts of energy.

    After the iPixel treatment, you may notice square formations with tiny pinprick dots on the skin. The nurse will apply a topical serum to minimise these marks.

    The fractional ablative laser treatment delivers precise beams of energy in a pixel-size formation to target specific cells. The surrounding cells remain intact, which speeds up healing. The heat from the energy destroys the injured or damaged cells and stimulates collagen production to remodel and fill in the area with new healthy cells.

    Most patients require 4-8 sessions. One session every 4-6 weeks depending on the severity of the skin concern.

    Numbing cream is applied for 20 minutes, followed by the treatment, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

    Read More

    Request a Consultation

    Please note, all consultations are subject to the applicable consultation change or deposit.

    In-clinic OR Virtual Consultation

    Refundable £50 deposit required to secure your complimentary
    consultation, redeemable against treatment

    Booking Terms & Conditions

    To request a consultation, please complete this form.

      Alternatively call our specialist patient advisors 0344 692 1111

      In-clinic OR Virtual Consultation

      Refundable £50 deposit required to secure your complimentary
      consultation, redeemable against treatment

      Booking Terms & Conditions
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