MED SPA BLOG
3 Ways to Get Rid of Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation)
Hyperpigmentation, commonly called “age spots”, is a skin problem which appears as dark spots or areas of discoloration on the face, as well as on the hands and body. While the causes of hyperpigmentation are many, the result is the same: making a person look (and feel) older than they are.
Unfortunately, over-the-counter lightening creams may slightly fade the appearance of dark spots, but their results neither very effective nor long-lasting. OTC “miracle creams” simply cannot completely remove dark spots. The truth is hyperpigmentation (dark spots) will only go away with professional skin treatments.
The good news is that there are a number of different treatment options available at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids that can reduce or even eliminate age spots. In this article our anti-aging experts discuss three of our most popular and effective treatments for diminishing dark spots so you can look and feel years younger.
Causes of Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation)
Aging, years of UV sun ray exposure, or a combination of the two, are the most common causes of hyperpigmentation. But fluctuations in hormone levels, skin injuries, acne and even certain medications can all lead to the development of dark spots, as well. Age spots are also sometimes called “liver spots” or “lentigines”. And when they form in patches rather than spots hyperpigmentation is usually characterized as “melasma”.
Types of Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation)
The epidermis (outer layer of skin) contains cells called melanocytes which produce the pigment melanin. But the regulation and distribution of melanocytes becomes less balanced as the body gets older – and the body may develop a higher concentration of melanocytes in certain areas. When these more highly concentrated areas are stimulated by UV rays, hyperpigmentation or “age spots” occur.
Melasma is often the result of variations in hormone levels – specifically rising and falling levels of estrogen and progesterone. Melasma spots are often given the name “the mask of pregnancy” because they often show up on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip of women during pregnancy.
In another scenario, when discoloration is left behind following skin trauma (such as acne) or injury post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs. When the epidermis (outer skin layer) is damaged, melanocytes are stimulated by the inflammation resulting in a spike in the production of melanin to the damaged area.
Treating Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation) with DiamondGlow
DiamondGlow is a relaxing, non-invasive treatment that can be applied virtually anywhere on the body to target dark spots, and hyperpigmentation.
DiamondGlow simultaneously exfoliates and nourishes the skin, while eliminating impurities. This leads to many benefits, including renewed skin cellular growth, stimulating an increased production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
As the old skin cells are removed and replaced with new healthy cellular growth, dark and discolored skin is replaced with fresh, new clear skin.
DiamondGlow utilizes various SkinMedica® Pro-Infusion serums, each designed to treat different specific skin conditions. They can be custom tailored to fit each patient’s specific and unique aesthetic concerns, including dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Treating Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation) with IPL
Another fast and permanent solution to age spots is IPL (intense pulsed light therapy) available at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids. Intense pulsed light, or IPL, is a type of laser treatment which is typically used to refine skin on the face. But it is also just as effective when used to permanently get rid of dark spots on the back of the hands.
IPL treatments are sometimes also given the names “photorejuvenation” or “Photofacial”. At SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids we offer state-of-the-art CynoSure Icon Laser for IPL treatments, to give you the best possible hyperpigmentation removal results.
Thermal energy from powerful flashes of laser light is delivered in short, polychromatic blasts to penetrate deep into the dermal (lower) layer of the skin – while leaving the outer layers of skin undamaged and intact. The precise wavelengths of laser light target the pigment in the melanin, while leaving the surrounding cells unharmed.
As the heat penetrates and attacks the dark pigment particles in the age spots, it breaks down and destroys them. The destroyed melanin particles then either rise to the surface and form scabs where they slough off – or they are carried away by the lymphatic system and eliminated naturally by the body.
Treating Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation) with Morpheus8 Microneedling
Morpheus8 Microneedling is effective at treating a wide variety of skin issues – from laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles to uneven skin tone. One of the most popular reasons people choose to have RF Morpheus8 microneedling is to reduce hyperpigmentation.
Radiofrequency microneedling has been proven to reduce hyperpigmentation in both men and women almost anywhere on the body. And, unlike lasers, Morpheus8 is NOT dependent on attacking the pigment in the body – so it is safe and effective for a variety of different skin types and tones from fair to dark.
Morpheus8 RadioFrequency Microneedling is a state-of-the-art medical device that combines microneedling with radiofrequency to restore and rejuvenate the skin on a deep cellular level. This makes Morpheus8 extremely effective at stimulating regrowth of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – the building blocks of smooth, health, clear skin.
Morpheus8 RadioFrequency Microneedling uses ultra-sharp microneedles that penetrate to a depth of up to 4 millimeters – which is deeper than any other microneedling device available to date. This enables the treatment to improve skin deep within its cellular foundation where the hyperpigmentation is located – not just superficially like many other treatments.
Depending on the depth of the hyperpigmentation, some of our Grand Rapids patients may begin seeing a reduction in dark spots in as little as one session. And three to four Morpheus8 treatments spaced roughly a month apart can reveal a more a dramatic transformation.
Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation) Treatment | Grand Rapids, MI
No matter the causing of your hyperpigmentation, the trained skincare professionals at SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids, MI can help restore your skin! Beginning with a professional skin consultation, the best skin treatments are selected and optimized to fit each patient’s specific needs.
If you are plagued by dark spots that make you look older, schedule a DiamondGlow, IPL or Morpheus8 Appointment at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, MI – and look years younger!
Age Spots (Hyperpigmentation) Treatment | Grand Rapids: (616) 888-3890
SpaMedica GR – Grand Rapids Med Spa
APPOINTMENT REQUEST
Achieving your cosmetic goals and giving you the best possible results is our passion at SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids, MI. We offer a variety of aesthetic treatment options to help you to achieve your cosmetic goals. At SpaMedica GR it’s All About You! We are here to help you make your skin look healthy and beautiful. Call us today to book an appointment for Laser Hair Removal, Injectables, Microdermabrasion with Dermalinfusion, Skin Resurfacing & Tightening, Photofacials, Microneedling, Fat Loss, or any other treatment we offer in our Grand Rapids Med Spa. We are here to help with your aesthetic concerns and will be happy to work with you to give you a natural, youthful look with skin that you will feel great about.
SpaMedica GR
Grand Rapids Med Spa
APPOINTMENT REQUEST
Achieving your cosmetic goals and giving you the best possible results is our passion at SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids, MI. We offer a variety of aesthetic treatment options to help you to achieve your cosmetic goals. At SpaMedica GR it’s All About You! We are here to help you make your skin look healthy and beautiful. Call us today to book an appointment for Laser Hair Removal, Injectables, Microdermabrasion with Dermalinfusion, Skin Resurfacing & Tightening, Photofacials, Microneedling, Fat Loss, or any other treatment we offer in our Grand Rapids Med Spa. We are here to help with your aesthetic concerns and will be happy to work with you to give you a natural, youthful look with skin that you will feel great about.