Age Spot Removal

by CO2 Laser

Treatment By

Laser Specialist

Treatment Type

Laser

Downtime

Small scab for up to a week

Treatment Time

10 – 30 Minutes

Sessions

Often 1, sometimes more

Discomfort

Mild

Age spots, also known as liver spots, sunspots or solar lentigines are small, flat, dark spots that appear on the skin as a result of the ageing process. They often appear on areas exposed to the sun, being seen on the face, hands and neck area. At consultation, a clinician first checks that each spot is a harmless age spot. It can then often be removed with the DEKA CO2 laser at our Leamington Spa clinic. This is a non-surgical option that can give good cosmetic results for many patients. Any spot that looks unusual or has changed is not lasered. Instead, we advise further checks, which may include a biopsy or referral to your GP or a dermatologist. Risks and results vary, and we discuss them with you at consultation. The Candela Nd-Yag laser is also effective for age spot removal in some cases.

Treatment Areas

  • Face

  • Around the eyes

  • Hands / Arms

  • Back

  • Shoulders

  • Areas exposed to the sun

Treatment Benefits

  • Can be considered for all skin types, with pigmentation risk checked at consultation

  • Performed by a laser specialist

  • Quick treatment, minimal number of sessions required

  • Results typically seen once the area has healed, and results vary

Age spots develop over time as a result of exposure to the sun. It is highly likely that you will develop at least a few age spots at some point in your life. Age spots or sunspots are mostly found on the face and due to their visibility, patients often choose laser removal of age spots as an alternative to surgery. These spots vary in size and colour.

All skin types can be affected by age spots, however they often appear on lighter skin tones. These spots do not usually fade over time. Some people choose treatment to lighten or remove them, while others prefer to leave them. Age spots or liver spots are flat and are typically the size of a 5 pence piece, although can be as small as a freckle. Colour wise, they are normally dark brown or tan. Patients often develop multiple age spots in one area too, making them more noticeable. Sun spots can also appear at any age, although mostly appear after the age of 50.

Age spots develop due to an excess production of melanin, or skin pigment. Ultraviolet rays can trigger the body to generate melanin and over time, age spots appear due to a build-up, or clusters of melanin forming. Those who use sunbeds are also highly likely to develop age spots at some point in their life, as well as other skin imperfections.

Some patients choose to have age spots treated for cosmetic reasons, particularly on visible areas such as the face and hands. Sun spot removal at our Leamington Spa clinic is performed by our experienced laser specialists.

We use the DEKA SmartXide CO2 or Candela Nd:YAG laser to treat these lesions. Numbing cream or a numbing injection is used to keep you comfortable, and most people feel only mild discomfort. After treatment, a small scab forms and usually falls off within a week. You should avoid swimming, hot baths and hot tubs for about a week. We use established medical laser systems from DEKA and Candela, operated by trained laser specialists. The laser is aimed precisely at the lesion to limit the effect on the surrounding skin. The SmartXide Touch is an ablative laser that works by removing the thin outer layer of the affected skin. It then heats up the underlying skin to stimulate the production of collagen. As the area heals, new skin forms. Bleeding is usually minimal. There is a risk of pigmentation change and, rarely, scarring, which we discuss with you at consultation.

Prior to treatment, all patients will require a full medical consultation for us to assess the lesions and devise a treatment plan. During your consultation we will take a full medical history to ensure you are suitable for treatment too. After patients have agreed to the procedure, we will take necessary precautions like applying numbing cream to make the process more comfortable and applying eye protection if the lesions are close to the eyes.

The procedure will take approximately 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how many age spots and the size of the lesions. Normally, patients require only one treatment for effective removal but sometimes we advise repeated sessions. We always aim to remove the entire cluster of lesions to avoid the chance of any regrowth.

Age spot removal with the CO2 laser is suitable for all skin types, however hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation is more common in those with a darker skin type. During your consultation, we will discuss any risks involved and you will have a chance to ask our laser specialist any questions.

Age spot removal without surgery is very popular and we specialise in lesion removal treatments.

Fill out my online form.

Age Spot Removal Videos

Laser treatment of pigmented lesions

Frequently Asked Questions

We can remove a number of age spots during treatment. As age spots often form in clusters, we find most patients often have more than one lesion removed at once.

We advise patients not to drive immediately after treatment if the lesion is close to the eyes. Because we use a numbing injection or cream, there is a small chance that the eyes will be impacted temporarily by this, resulting in mild swelling or blurriness. In the rare event, this will subside within a few hours. Eye protection is used, and the laser is aimed precisely at the lesion to limit the effect on healthy skin around it. Your laser specialist will explain any specific risks of treatment near the eyes at your consultation.

Those who regularly use sun beds or go outdoors without wearing SPF are more likely to develop age spots, or other skin concerns. Ultraviolet rays speed up the ageing process. Those who work outside are also more likely to develop age spots.

Your laser specialist will tell you what preparation you need at your consultation. This may include a patch test if you have several age spots.

We advise not to wash the area treated in the first day but you can wash the next morning.

Immediately after the procedure, depending on which laser has been used, you will have a very small dark scab on the area treated which will fall off in less than one week. Please do not peel it off. You must leave it to come off naturally.

If you have multiple age spots, we would advise you to have a patch test prior procedure.

Also, avoid hot baths, swimming pool and hot tubs for up to 1 week. We may also recommend aftercare products, such as Hypericum Gel or Soft Derm serum, to support healing.

Sun protection should be applied too if you go outside. If you are concerned, please contact our clinic.

Age spots can appear on the skin of both men and women. Removal is suitable for everybody.

Age spots don’t usually fade on their own. Some people choose to have them treated, while others prefer to leave them and protect their skin from the sun.

As with any cosmetic, aesthetic, surgical or laser procedure, there are risks. These include hyperpigmentation, where the skin appears darker in the area being treated. There is also a risk of hypopigmentation in all skin types. Scarring is also possible but rare. We take steps to reduce these risks. If a complication occurs, we will see you for a review and discuss treatment options with you.

Patients can avoid the appearance of age spots, or prevent further spots from forming by applying sun cream regularly in areas that are exposed. You should also stay in the shade where possible.

Most of the time, age spots are successfully removed in only one session. Occasionally, depending on the skin type and how deep the pigmentation is, you may require multiple sessions and we can’t guarantee total removal.

Age spots are not likely to return in the same area but you may develop further spots in different areas if SPF is not used and you are exposed repeatedly to sun.

Our practitioners have decades of combined experience in lesion removal and aesthetic procedures. We use established medical laser systems from DEKA and Candela. Patient safety and care is also at the forefront of everything we do.

Patient Feedback

Agespot 1 BAgespot 1 A
Agespot 2 BAgespot 2 A
Agespot 3 BAgespot 3 A

Florina and Dasher are great! Really make you feel at ease and go the extra mile. They have been doing a brilliant job with my treatment and the results so far are fantastic! Thank you soo much ladies.

Jay,