Age Spots Removal
These are the dark flat spots (grey, brown or black spots) that appear on the skin with age and are created by an overproduction of melanin, locally. They are also called sun spots . They usually appear in the area of the forehead, on the temples, cheeks, chin, torso, the dorsal surface of the hands and in all places exposed to solar radiation. These spots, also called hyperpigmentation, are mainly caused by genetic and hormonal factors factors .
Nowadays, ultraviolet solar radiation also plays the most important factor in the creation of hyperpigmentation, because the sun is the most powerful factor that activates the overproduction of melanin . But even the UV rays produced artificially in solarium machines have an effect on the production of melanin. Sunspots also show a greater preference for light skin and less for dark skin. Due to hormonal secretions, women have a much more frequent occurrence of hyperpigmentation than men. Research has shown that 9 times more women experience hyperpigmentation than men.
Chloasma and freckles can often be confused with age spots, but the difference in age at onset can usually clear up the problem . Unlike chloasma or freckles, age spots are due to an increased density of melanocytes and appear around the age of 40.
Other conditions that resemble the clinical picture of age spots and must be differentiated from them, apart from freckles , are: olives (nevus) , seborrheic hyperkeratoses , malignant lentil and melanoma .
The Dermatologist and the Plastic surgeon are the most suitable doctors for the differential diagnosis of these skin lesions. In essence, the most important thing is the differential diagnosis from the malignant lens and melanoma which are the malignant diseases of the specific group of skin lesions, the rest of which, in the great majority, are benign lesions. The final and safe diagnosis is made only with a biopsy (histological examination) after the entire lesion has been surgically removed . In any doubt, a biopsy should be performed.
The management and treatment of these benign skin lesions includes:
Medicines : whitening creams alone or in combination with retinoids and mild steroids can gradually fade the spots over a few months.
Cryotherapy : This procedure provides for the application of liquid nitrogen or other refrigerant on the spots with the aim of neutralizing them.
LASER : Laser destroys the cells that produce melanin, without damaging the surface of the skin. It is the most effective and fastest treatment. After the sessions are completed, the age spots gradually fade over a period of days or weeks. Thermoselective Q-switch Alexandrite or even CO2 lasers are used.
Dermabrasion : This procedure involves scraping the surface layer of the skin with a rotating brush.
Chemical peeling : It involves the application of an acid, which burns the outer layer of the skin to the point where the spots are located.
The Dermatologist and the Plastic surgeon are the most suitable doctors for the differential diagnosis of these skin lesions. In essence, the most important thing is the differential diagnosis from the malignant lens and melanoma which are the malignant diseases of the specific group of skin lesions, the rest of which, in the great majority, are benign lesions. The final and safe diagnosis is made only with a biopsy (histological examination) after the entire lesion has been surgically removed . In any doubt, a biopsy should be performed.
The management and treatment of these benign skin lesions includes:
Medicines : whitening creams alone or in combination with retinoids and mild steroids can gradually fade the spots over a few months.
Cryotherapy : This procedure provides for the application of liquid nitrogen or other refrigerant on the spots with the aim of neutralizing them.
LASER : Laser destroys the cells that produce melanin, without damaging the surface of the skin. It is the most effective and fastest treatment. After the sessions are completed, the age spots gradually fade over a period of days or weeks. Thermoselective Q-switch Alexandrite or even CO2 lasers are used.
Dermabrasion : This procedure involves scraping the surface layer of the skin with a rotating brush.
Chemical peeling : It involves the application of an acid, which burns the outer layer of the skin to the point where the spots are located.
The Dermatologist and the Plastic surgeon are the most suitable doctors for the differential diagnosis of these skin lesions. In essence, the most important thing is the differential diagnosis from the malignant lens and melanoma which are the malignant diseases of the specific group of skin lesions, the rest of which, in the great majority, are benign lesions. The final and safe diagnosis is made only with a biopsy (histological examination) after the entire lesion has been surgically removed . In any doubt, a biopsy should be performed.
The management and treatment of these benign skin lesions includes:
Medicines : whitening creams alone or in combination with retinoids and mild steroids can gradually fade the spots over a few months.
Cryotherapy : This procedure provides for the application of liquid nitrogen or other refrigerant on the spots with the aim of neutralizing them.
LASER : Laser destroys the cells that produce melanin, without damaging the surface of the skin. It is the most effective and fastest treatment. After the sessions are completed, the age spots gradually fade over a period of days or weeks. Thermoselective Q-switch Alexandrite or even CO2 lasers are used.
Dermabrasion : This procedure involves scraping the surface layer of the skin with a rotating brush.
Chemical peeling : It involves the application of an acid, which burns the outer layer of the skin to the point where the spots are located.
The Dermatologist and the Plastic surgeon are the most suitable doctors for the differential diagnosis of these skin lesions. In essence, the most important thing is the differential diagnosis from the malignant lens and melanoma which are the malignant diseases of the specific group of skin lesions, the rest of which, in the great majority, are benign lesions. The final and safe diagnosis is made only with a biopsy (histological examination) after the entire lesion has been surgically removed . In any doubt, a biopsy should be performed.
The management and treatment of these benign skin lesions includes:
Medicines : whitening creams alone or in combination with retinoids and mild steroids can gradually fade the spots over a few months.
Cryotherapy : This procedure provides for the application of liquid nitrogen or other refrigerant on the spots with the aim of neutralizing them.
LASER : Laser destroys the cells that produce melanin, without damaging the surface of the skin. It is the most effective and fastest treatment. After the sessions are completed, the age spots gradually fade over a period of days or weeks. Thermoselective Q-switch Alexandrite or even CO2 lasers are used.
Dermabrasion : This procedure involves scraping the surface layer of the skin with a rotating brush.
Chemical peeling : It involves the application of an acid, which burns the outer layer of the skin to the point where the spots are located.
Prevention
To prevent sunspots:
Avoid the sun from 10 am to 4 pm, use sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat, cover your arms and legs with clothing. In the market, there are several garments made of special sun protection fabrics.
In summary , age spots are benign skin lesions that appear with age and due to exposure to solar radiation, and are usually very easily treated by the Dermatologist and Plastic Surgeon. However, the differential diagnosis should first be made, from the rare cases of malignant lens and melanoma. In these cases biopsy of the entire skin lesion, surgically, will provide the only safe diagnosis. Balanced exposure to the sun from an early age is considered the best prevention, especially for women and those with fairer skin.