Age Spots Treatment before & after photos
56%
17 reviews
Worth It Rating Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Age Spots Treatment Cost $600 average cost

Does Radiation Therapy Make You More Susceptible to Age Spots?

I had breast cancer 7 yrs ago and had 6 weeks of radiation. Since then I have had a tremedous amount of freckles (age spots) on my arms, hands and starting now on my face. I am 54 yrs. old and medium complexion. I am not in the sun that much and do use sunscreen. Of course, I didn't in my younger days...

Asked 35 months ago by Tana in Bend, OR
Sort 3 expert answers by:
+1

Sun spots and radiation

Sunspots come from cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime. They typically show up on the places that have had the most sun, such as the face, neck, upper chest, forearms, and hands. Usually areas protected from the sun (like the inside of your upper arm) do not develop them or develop very few. Radiation can discolor the skin lighter or darker based on the amount of radiation that was used. This discoloration can mimic sunspots, but would only occur at the site where the radiation... more
Colby Evans, MD
Austin Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Radiation therapy

Your accumulated sun damage and prior radiation therapy can turn some of your skin into age spots. People will also get pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions. It is mandatory that you should be checked by a board certified dermatologist more often. In terms of getting rid of the benign age-spots, Medlite, Ruby, Versapulse, IPL, Fraxel and Pixel laser treatments are helpful in achieving desired results.    
Joshua L. Fox, MD
Long Island Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

It's not the radiation, just the sun from years ago

When we have had a significant amount of sun in our younger years, the effects of it begin to really show once we hit 50.  IPL treatments can be very helpful in removing them.  It's not the radiation.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.