Explore How Options, Including IPL Treatment, Could Help You Reach Your Skin Care Goals
Sun spots are flat, darkened spots that appear on areas of skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. Sun spots appear as a result of prolonged sun exposure and the skin’s natural response to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds, causing an overproduction of melanin.
Although sun spots are generally harmless, they can be a concern for many people, as they are often associated with signs of premature aging and can create an uneven complexion that affects your confidence.
However, advancements such as IPL treatment and prescription medication offer an effective, non-invasive solution to reduce the appearance of sun spots.
How to Prevent Sun Spots
By taking a few simple steps, you can minimize your chances of developing sun spots. These guidelines are a great rule of thumb for not only preventing sun spots and skin damage caused by the sun, but also protecting your health. Make sure you:
- Apply sunscreen every day: A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher protects your skin from harmful UV rays. Apply it generously to exposed areas, even on cloudy days.
- Seek shade: Whenever possible, stay out of direct sunlight, especially during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Wear protective clothing: Wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses can offer additional protection from the sun’s rays. If you spend prolonged periods in swimming pools or the ocean, wear a skin protective rash guard.
- Avoid tanning beds: Opt for self-tanning products instead of UV-based tanning beds to achieve a sun-kissed glow without the risk of sun damage.
If you already have sun spots, following these tips can help prevent the development of more. However, if you want to reduce the appearance of your sun spots, you’ll need to seek treatment options.
Prescriptions That Can Reduce the Appearance Of Sun Spots
Topical creams can target the enzyme in the skin that aids in the overproduction of melanin. This enzyme is called tyrosinase.
Although it is not FDA approved for treating and preventing sunspots, some doctors prescribe hydroquinone. This skin-lightening treatment blocks the effect of tyrosinase, but can cause side effects like skin irritation, stinging, redness, dry skin, or inflammation. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use hydroquinone.
A vitamin A derivative, tretinoin is a topical cream that can reduce the appearance of sun spots as a result of UVB rays from the sun. Like hydroquinone, it requires a prescription from a physician, but it is FDA approved for treating both acne and photoaging. Tretinoin creams can cause skin irritation, blistering, sensitivity to sunlight, and other side effects, so talk to your doctor if you experience these while using tretinoin.
IPL Treatment For Sun Spots
IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light treatment, is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses broad-spectrum light to target and break down pigmented cells in the skin. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as “IPL laser treatment,” but IPL treatment does not use a laser. Unlike lasers that use a single wavelength of light, IPL treatment emits multiple wavelengths, allowing it to treat a range of skin concerns at different depths.
When the skin absorbs the light energy from the IPL handpiece, the heat breaks down melanin in the pigmented cells, which are then naturally eliminated by the body. Over time, this results in a more even skin tone and a noticeable reduction in the appearance of sun spots.
What Else Should I Know About IPL Treatment?
IPL treatment can improve your overall skin tone, not only improving the look of sun spots, but smoothing out your complexion and skin tone. IPL does this through stimulating collagen production and encouraging the growth of healthy skin cells to replace damaged ones.
After treatment, you may experience some mild redness and swelling, similar to a minor sunburn. This is normal and typically goes away in a few hours to a couple of days. Applying a cold compress can help reduce discomfort.
Most patients feel comfortable returning to normal activities immediately after treatment and begin to notice results in the first week or two. With a treatment plan created by medical professionals, you can expect to see long-term results from your IPL face treatment.
IPL Treatment Plans
To find out if IPL is right for you, book a consultation with a medical professional.
If you’re a good candidate for IPL treatment, your medical provider will establish an individualized plan based on you and your goals for treatment. Schedule and attend your follow-up sessions to maintain and improve your skin’s appearance and achieve long-lasting results. Most patients initially require four to six sessions of IPL, spaced four to six weeks apart, with yearly follow up.