Can IPL treat the thickened texture of solar brown spots?

Question

The solar brown spots (lentigos) on my arms have a thickened texture i.e they look like growths. I understand IPL can treat the brown pigment, but what about the thickened texture i.e. the growths?

Kenneth Dembny, II, MD · Answer

Intense pulsed
light (IPL) treatments do work effectively for browns and reds. The brown
pigment is the dyspigmentation often associated with sun exposure and sun
damage. The reds are often dilated capillaries (telangiectasias) or the
flushing of rosacea.

IPL does not
typically work well for raised skin lesions. Laser resurfacing may be
appropriate for some of those. An experienced physician should evaluate raised
or pigmented skin lesions prior to laser treatments to ensure that there is no
concern for a skin cancer. Suspicious pigmented lesions should always be
evaluated under the microscope if necessary.

The spot you describe
may be a seborrheic keratosis (SK). It is benign but will not respond well to
IPL treatments.  SKs are often treated
very successfully with shave excision. Speak with your plastic surgeon or
dermatologist for more info. Best wishes.

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

This is an excellent question. IPL (a.k.a. BBL) will only remove the pigment. Smoothing and flattening the brown spots requires a resurfacing laser. Before having laser treatment for age spots/solar lentigoes, it is important to have a full skin examination of the treatment area to rule out any skin cancer. Best of luck to you!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

IPL can be used to treat brown spots and can be used in combination with other lasers to get even more improved results.  Best, Dr. Emer.

J. Matthew Knight, MD · Answer

Good afternoon!   When spots are raised, these are often called "keratoses" and the most common form is a brown growth called a seborrheic keratosis.  Of course remember that a type of premalignant keratosis (actinic keratosis) or even skin cancer can be raised, so ask your doctor for a good diagnosis first.Unfortunately, kearatoses will not respond very well at all to IPL.  They usually have to be frozen off or lasered off with an ablative laser (i.e. CO2).  This can leave a little scar or a white spot behind in some cases.  Hope that helped.-JMK

Can IPL treat the thickened texture of solar brown spots?

Answers (4)

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