What Kind of Treatments Exist for Sunspot in the Face?

Sun spots on the face are easy to treat with either lasers, freezing or electrofulguration(burning them off).  It can be quick and not that expensive to do.  They do come back if you get alot of sun exposure but hopefully they will stay away for a few yrs.  Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

Hyperpigmentation can ruin your skin and can be caused by either PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), melasma, age or sun spots, and chronic inflammation.  Starting treatment is easy with topical creams; followed by laser and light therapy. I would use a combination skincare protocol that includes topical Melarase creams first, followed by a combination of light fractional laser, depigmenting lasers and IPL, vascular pulsed dye laser, and Covalent peels.

Recommended Creams: Melarase Brightening Kit

MelaClenz
Melarase AM
Melarase PM
Melapads
Replenish Retinoid Cream
Best, 

Dr. Karamanoukian

Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question. Sun spots can be treated by a topical prescription meds, laser treatments such an IPL, or a chemical peel. I would recommend being treated under the supervision of a Board Certified Dermatologist for safest and best treatment option. I hope this helps.

It is difficult to really determine what treatment you would be a good candidate for without seeing you first.  I recommend that you see a board certified facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist prior to doing any treatment. 

Sunspots, which are also known as age spots can be treated topically with hydroquinone up to 4%.

The hydroquinone will block an enzyme that is needed to make melanin (the pigment you see in sun spots).

The disruption in the process causes the structures in the skin which contain the melanin to break down.

And this results in a fading of the age spots.

However the FDA has imposed a limit of 3  months regarding the continuous use of hydroquinone. Past this point, it can be toxic.


Laser treatments offer a safer, faster and more effective alternative. If there are a small number of age spots they can be treated with Q-Switched Nd Yag lasers. Larger areas will require a system like Fraxel Dual.


Laser energy will break up the pigment and the specialized cells containing them. And your body removes the remains through the blood and lymphatic system.
 

Hello Liudmila.  The gold standard for treating sun spots on the face is a q-switched Nd:Yg laser.  While other practitioners may offer you solutions that include Fraxel, CO2 or hydroquinone bleaching cream, the difference is that q-switched lasers are a comprehensive and permanent solution to the spots you see.  Hydroquinone can only mask the problem and both the Fraxel and traditional CO2 lasers are better suited for rejuvenation (wrinkles) than they are pigmentation.

Find an experienced laser practitioner near you and you will be happy you did.  Good luck.

Brown spots on the skin—typically on the face, chest, shoulders, and back of hands—can be the direct result of unprotected exposure to the sun. They can also be a result of hormonal changes and are a common skin problem that we, consult many of our patients about.The flat spots on the skin—also called age spots, sun spots, solar lentigines, or liver spots (even though they have nothing to do with the liver)—are triggered after prolonged sun exposure. When the sun’s UV rays hit the skin, they damage the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes and causing a spike in production of the skin pigment called melanin. They’re common in patients with fair skin, but they can also appear in those with darker skin.These spots range in color from brown to tan to dark brown based on how much sun exposure you’ve had—and cause your skin to look blotchy, freckled, and uneven. And they vary in size, again depending on how much sun you’ve been exposed to.Link to hormones: As hormone levels may change during events such as pregnancy or due to birth control pills, brown, uneven patches can appear on a woman’s face when the skin is exposed to the sun. It seems that sunlight triggers the pigment-producing cells in the skin to go into overdrive. Called the melasma, these dark patches may persist and not improve even with bleaching creams.Alexandrite: This resurfacing treatment will work to quickly eliminate deeper brown spots, leaving the skin clear and youthful. Depending on the selected course of treatment, downtime can vary from two to five days—which can be customized to fit your schedule and your needs. This laser can be used on the face, chest, hands, arms and legs.

Sun damaged skin can be treated by a variety of options.  Some of the options include prescription and nonprescription topicals, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments.

First, it is important to be evaulated by a board certified dermatologist to look at the spots and see if they are benign or should be biopsied. Many treatment options are available for benign sunspots. Lightening creams containing hydroquinone, azaleic acid, lignin peroxidase, licorice, etc., may be helpful. Often times vitamin A creams can help lighten spots. Peels containing salicylic can be performed by a dermatologist. Lasers such as IPL or fraxel may be useful, as well. Most importantly, daily sunscreen use is crucial to prevent more spots from occurring. 

Laser, ipl, and medical grade skin care such as obagi can all be options to addressing sun spots.  Consult with an expert and experienced physician who will be able to tailor a treatment program specifically for you.