Age spots

Why age spots appear where they do

Age spots, also called solar lentigines or sun spots, are small collections of melanin left behind by years of UV exposure. That is why they gather on the parts of you that see the most daylight: the face, the backs of the hands, the forearms, the chest and the shoulders. Ageing adds to the effect, so marks that once faded over the winter begin to stay.

Matching the treatment to your spots

• One or a few distinct spots: CryoPen applies controlled cold to the individual lesion while sparing the healthy skin around it. Solar lentigo and pigmented lesions are on its list, appointments take 5 to 30 minutes, and in most cases one treatment is enough.
• Many spots across a wider area: Lumecca IPL treats a whole zone with pulses of light that break down brown pigment. It works on the face, neck, chest, hands and arms. A series of three to six sessions is recommended, although some clients notice a change after the first.
• Spots alongside uneven texture: SkinPen microneedling stimulates collagen to refine tone and texture, and is one of the alternatives offered where IPL is not appropriate.
• Spots mixed with patchy pigmentation or melasma: a Melanostop peel gently exfoliates and reduces melanin production over three to six sessions.

A note on skin tone

Lumecca IPL is suitable for Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV, so it may not be right for darker skin. For deeper skin tones Skin House offers a pigmentation facial, microneedling and bespoke skincare instead. A consultation and patch test are required at least 24 hours before IPL, which gives your practitioner the chance to confirm which route suits you.

What to expect after IPL

You may feel a quick flash and a mild prickling during the session. Redness and warmth are common afterwards and usually settle within an hour, and most people have fully recovered within seven days when they follow their aftercare. Stay out of direct sun and avoid tanning for two weeks after every session.

Stopping new spots from forming

Treatment fades the pigment you already have, not the exposure that created it. Daily SPF on the face and the backs of the hands, shade in strong sunshine and no tanning give your results the longest life. If you are unsure whether a mark is an age spot at all, have it looked at during your free consultation before any treatment is booked.