The Nip & Tuck articles by Dr Tracy Mountford appear weekly, in print and online, in the Monday ‘Inspire’ section. In this week’s column, a reader would like to know if they can get rid of their age spots but keep their freckles.
Can I get rid of age spots and keep my freckles?
Dr Mountford explains that, you should always consult a doctor before embarking on a treatment for skin pigmentation to ensure there is no underlying problem, sometimes skin cancers can be overlooked. Sun exposure is a main contributor to developing age spots and prevention is better than cure. Keep existing sun spots at bay with a sunblock of at least 30SPF.
Depending on the severity of age spots, there are a number of non-surgical options available. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to target the age spots and freeze the affected area. A scab will then shed naturally. Laser works by focusing a light source that is absorbed by the melanin, which thermally destroys the pigment. More than one treatment may be necessary.
Freckly areas can be masked off to prevent them from fading.
For more information on our laser skin resurfacing, micro-needling and chemical peel treatments, please contact our Reception Team.
