Pigment Correction Treatment For Age Spots, Liver Spots, Melisma, and More

Age spots are marks that usually appear on the skin after extensive sun exposure. They are not harmful, but some people want to remove them for aesthetic purposes. 

A person may notice an increasing number of tiny dark spots on the skin as they age. The development of these age spots is a normal bodily response to sun exposure over time. 

They usually start developing at or around the age of 50. However, younger individuals can get age spots as well if they spend significant time in the sun. If a person does not feel comfortable using topical creams to eliminate their age spots, there are certain types of makeup available that are specially designed to conceal them. 

Dr. Q Medical Spa, led by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q), provides treatments for age spots, liver spots, and melisma to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding communities.

In-office Treatments for Age Spots

The doctor may be able to treat age spots in-office quicker than a person can at home. Some in-office medical treatment options for age spots. 

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

These treatments target the cells that produce melanin (the cells that color age spots) without causing harm to the skin’s surface. In general, patients will need to visit their doctor two to three times for treatment.

A few weeks or months after the treatment, the age spots should start to fade. There are some side effects of laser and intense pulsed light therapy. Patients commonly experience some temporary skin discoloration. 

Following the procedure, the patient should apply sunscreen and use other sun protection measures as directed by the treatment provider. 

Freezing (Cryotherapy)

In this treatment, the doctor will apply liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent to the age spots using a cotton swab. This should destroy some of the pigment (color) of the age spots. 

The skin will appear lighter in color as it heals. This type of treatment is typically only used on a single age spot or on a small risk of permanent scarring, temporary skin irritation, or discoloration. 

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion involves planing (sanding down) of the skin’s surface using a fast spinning brush. This procedure gently removes the top surface of the skin, enabling a new skin layer to emerge in its place. The doctor may have to perform this treatment more than once for optimal results. The patient may experience temporary redness and scabbing following this treatment. 

Microdermabrasion treatments are less intense than dermabrasion, which can help the age spots appear a bit lighter. It requires multiple in-office treatments over a period of months to see outcomes. 

Chemical Peels

In a chemical peel treatment, the doctor will apply an acidic preparation to the patient’s face. This will remove the dead cells on the superficial skin layer down to the age spots. As the outer skin layer peels off, new skin replaces it. The patient may require a few treatments before they start to see the outcomes they desire. 

Dr. Q Medical Spa receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and nearby areas for the treatment of age spots, liver spots, and melisma.

For more information on Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Medical Spa Procedures and Treatments in the Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and surrounding areas please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) by clicking here or calling 760-324-2660.