What would be the best treatment for sun damaged skin (moles, freckles) on the arms, chest and upper back? (Photos)

Question

I used to tan when I was a teen. Now I am 29 and my skin is sun damaged. I have a lot of moles, freckles and sun spots on my arms, chest, upper back and face. My main concern is my arms and chest. I would like to know the best treatment to remove theses moles and sunspots (laser, IPL, peeling) Also, since I would be treating a large skin area, I would like to know the cost of such a procedure. Is it safe to remove these moles and would it have an effect on my chances to get skin cancer?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Christopher Pavlou, MBChB · Answer

The latest technology to address age spots or sun damage on the face and entire body is Sciton's BBL HERO. Using broad band light, this device is faster and more efficient than any other IPL device I have seen. Patient's see significant improvement already after one treatment, although we do recommend a series of five treatments.

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

BBL (BroadBandLight) is your best bet for the sun damage and overall skin health. It is safe anywhere on the body except for directly over eyelids and also works to slow skin aging. If you ask around, you may be able to find an office (like ours:) that has the very latest generation of BBL - HERO which offers faster, more comfortable treatments). The only thing that BBL won't treat is your moles. If any of these are of concern, changing or if you have not had a skin cancer check with a medical derm, you might want to consider that, including the option of mole mapping.

Reuel Aspacio, MD, FAAD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi there,

Please see a Certified Dermatologist for an evaluation of moles. No mole should be removed without proper diagnosis. 
In regards to the freckling and sunspots IPL would be a great option for you.
You would need several treatments and would need a consultation for pricing as i am sure that depends on the facility.

Best of luck..

What would be the best treatment for sun damaged skin (moles, freckles) on the arms, chest and upper back? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Sun damage

Answer: Sun damage

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What would be the best treatment for sun damaged skin (moles, freckles) on the arms, chest and upper back? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Sun damage

Answer: Sun damage

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.