Reducing Sun Spots and Age Spots at our Leeds Clinic
What Sun Spots and Age Spots look like and how they are caused
As we grow older, collagen-producing cells begin to work less efficiently. This can lead to a gradual build-up of yellowish pigmentation… commonly known as either Age Spots or Sun Spots. This isn’t a hard condition to identify – these spots are smooth and do not stand out from the skin. They’re heavily pigmented, but not crusty or dry to the touch.
How to Avoid Age Spots in the First Place
Before we begin, it’s important to note that if you do already have Age Spots or Sun Spots there’s no need to panic. We can treat them right here at Advanced Electrolysis Clinic here in Guiseley, Yorkshire.
It is, of course, better to avoid getting Sun Spots at all if you possibly can. Reducing the harmful effects of exposure to the sun is key in achieving this. To be on the safe side, follow the advice of the Skin Cancer Foundation and don’t leave the sunblock for your holidays – put on SPF30 every day. We can help you by providing a suitable range of SPFs, which all work effectively in protecting you from UV rays. Your Electrologist will advise you in the right product for your skin type.
For full UV protection, it’s important to apply an SPF separately from make-up or moisturiser – we’ve found that combined products don’t tend to offer the same level of UV protection.
How we can Reduce Sun Spots and Age Spots at Advanced Electrolysis Clinic
Not all Sun Spots respond successfully to treatment. This is because some will inevitably be located too deep within the dermis (the layer of skin beneath the outermost part). Where the condition occurs nearer the surface, however, it will be much easier to treat, with the prospect of very successful results.
Before your treatment begins
You’ll initially attend a detailed consultation with your Electrologist who will be experienced in the reduction of Sun Spots and Age Spots. A small area of your skin will be patch-tested to make sure you’re suitable for treatment.
Like the treatment itself, patch-testing relies on the proven technique of Thermolysis. Using a slender needle, your Electrologist will introduce a low current to the affected area, lifting the edge of the Sun Spot. If the skin tone beneath is free from discolouration, the treatment can proceed as planned and is likely to be highly effective. Happily, the area where Sun Spot Reduction most frequently proves to be successful is the face.
What to Expect from your Thermolysis Treatment
After the area to be treated is thoroughly cleansed, a Thermolysis current will be used to raise the outer layer of the skin. This will enable us to remove the Age Spot in its entirety.
Our clients often describe the procedure as being slightly uncomfortable, but nothing that they aren’t able to tolerate. The treatment time can vary between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on the area to be treated and the number of Age Spots to be removed.
After your treatment has finished
It’s perfectly normal for the treated area to feel warm after Age Spot Removal, and you’ll also notice some redness and perhaps a little swelling. None of these effects will be long lasting, so there’s no need for concern. In the days immediately following your treatment, scabs will form over the area where the Sun Spots have been removed. Simply leave these to fall away on their own. This will happen over a period of up to two weeks, during which it’s important to resist any urge to pick the scabs, in order to avoid the risk of scarring.
Once the scabs have gone, the treated area will retain a pinkish tone until your skin settles back to its normal colouring over the next few weeks.
Disclaimer: all treatments are based on suitability, medical questionnaire and consent. We cannot guarantee the results of treatments. These will differ on an individual basis, with likely effectiveness to be discussed during initial consultation. Permanence of results is not guaranteed.
