Treating Sun Spots: Plastic Surgery Or Dermatology?

Sun spots, also known as liver spots or solar lentigines, are flat brown spots that develop on the skin after exposure to the sun. They are very common and harmless but can be treated for cosmetic reasons. Sun spots can be treated with home remedies, creams, and dermatological procedures such as laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, and cryotherapy. While sun spots themselves are not harmful, they can sometimes be a sign of excess sun exposure or even a warning sign of skin cancer, so it is important to consult with a dermatologist about any spots that are dark or have changed in appearance.

Laser resurfacing

Sun exposure can cause sun spots, wrinkles, reduced skin elasticity, and uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to treat these skin issues. The procedure involves using beams of light to improve the appearance of the skin by removing layers of skin.

There are two forms of laser resurfacing: carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium lasers, and fractionated CO2 laser treatment. The former creates a uniform injury to the skin in the treatment area, while the latter drills numerous narrow columns of holes deep into the layers of the skin while leaving the surrounding skin untreated and intact.

The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes, and multiple sessions are often required for optimal results. It may be carried out in a healthcare provider's office and does not require hospitalization. Potential side effects include redness, swelling, itching, changes in skin color, and scarring. After the procedure, it is important to protect the treated skin from the sun by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Microdermabrasion

Sun damage to the skin can cause various signs of premature ageing, including wrinkles, freckles, reduced skin elasticity, sun spots, and uneven skin tone and texture. While sun damage cannot be completely reversed, there are several treatment options available to help rejuvenate the skin. One such treatment is microdermabrasion.

The number of microdermabrasion sessions needed will depend on the severity of the skin concerns and the desired results. A skin care professional can design a treatment plan that includes the initial number of sessions, as well as periodic maintenance treatments. The cost of microdermabrasion can vary, but the national average cost in the United States was $167 in 2020.

While microdermabrasion can be an effective treatment for sun spots and other signs of sun damage, it is important to consult with a dermatologist or licensed skin care professional to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your specific skin concerns.

Vitamin C

Sun spots, also known as liver spots or solar lentigines, are flat brown spots that develop on the skin after long-term sun exposure. They are caused by UV radiation, which causes pigmented skin cells called melanocytes to multiply. Sun spots are very common and harmless, but they can be treated for cosmetic purposes.

When used in skincare products, timing can play a factor in the effectiveness of vitamin C. It can be used as both a daytime and nighttime treatment. When applied in the morning, vitamin C can help prevent damage caused by free radicals from environmental pollution and UV exposure. It is recommended to apply a vitamin C serum under your sunscreen to improve its efficacy while also preventing sun damage.

There are various vitamin C-enriched products available, including serums, creams, and moisturisers, which can help to reduce the look of sun spots and improve skin texture. It is important to note that some people may experience skin irritation when using vitamin C serums, especially those with sensitive skin. Common side effects include redness, itching, and burning, which can be caused by the high concentration of vitamin C. For sensitive skin types, it is recommended to choose gentler forms of vitamin C, such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, or calcium ascorbate.

Retinoids

Tretinoin works by increasing the number of new cells in the skin, increasing blood supply, decreasing the dark colour of sun spots, and increasing collagen production. It is important to note that tretinoin should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you are female and become pregnant while using this medication, you should consult an obstetrician before continuing use.

When applying tretinoin, it is recommended to start with a small pea-sized amount and spread it evenly over the forehead, cheeks, and chin. It can be applied thinly up to the lower eyelids and the outer corners of the upper eyelids, but avoid application to the upper eyelids themselves. Tretinoin can cause a mild burning sensation when applied near the eyes, but this is due to the evaporation of the cream and usually lasts only about 30 seconds. If the cream gets into the eyes, rinse them with water.

In the early stages of using tretinoin, the skin may become dry, red, and irritated. To minimise this side effect, it is recommended to start with a low concentration and gradually increase to 0.1% tretinoin if the skin tolerates it well. It may take 4-8 weeks to notice improvements, with even better results at 4 months and beyond. Changes occur slowly, and the medication requires monitoring by a physician.

In addition to tretinoin, other retinoids that can be used to treat sun spots include retinol, adapalene, and tazarotene. These retinoids can be found in topical products recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) to treat sun spots.

Cryotherapy

However, there are some side effects associated with cryotherapy. While side effects like infection and scarring are uncommon, the risk of side effects increases with the number of lesions treated. For example, if there are more than 20 solar keratoses, there is a greater risk of pain, blistering, and other complications. Cryotherapy is not suitable for treating skin cancer unless a biopsy has confirmed that it affects only the uppermost levels of the skin. This is because cryotherapy may not penetrate the full thickness of the skin, and deeper cancer cells could continue to spread unnoticed.

Additionally, cryotherapy can cause depigmentation, resulting in a permanent pale area at the treatment site. This is more noticeable in individuals with darker skin. Cryotherapy to hairy areas can also result in permanent hair loss, so it is typically avoided near the eyebrows and hairline. For these reasons, it is important to consult with a dermatologist to determine if cryotherapy is the most suitable treatment option for sun spots on the face.

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