Sun lentigines and dark spots: what treatments to regain more even skin?
Solar lentigines, often called age spots or brown spots, gradually appear over the years under the effect of sun exposure and skin aging. Common on the face, hands, décolleté or shoulders, these pigment spots can give the complexion an uneven and aged appearance.
At the Biolaser centre in Saint-Louis, near Basel, Mulhouse and Colmar, several treatments can reduce solar lentigines and improve skin uniformity: Nordlys IPL, Q-Switched pigment laser, FRAX 1550 nm fractional laser and depigmenting peels.
The choice of treatment always depends on the type of spot, its depth, the phototype and the overall quality of the skin.
The different types of spots/hyperpigmentation
Solar lentigines (age spots)
Sun spots or brown spots commonly appear in people over 30 years of age and affect areas exposed to the sun: face, décolleté, neck, back of the hands, etc. They appear as small, round, flat spots, and are mainly triggered by age, prolonged and regular exposure to the sun or artificial exposure to UV and pollution.
Melasma (chloasma or pregnancy mask)
Melasma (Chloasma or pregnancy mask) is a benign, chronic +/- symmetrical pigmentary disorder affecting mainly women and manifesting itself as brown and irregular spots on the face (forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, upper lip).
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation results from an overproduction of melanin by stimulation of melanocytes following inflammation of the skin. It can occur in cases of inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, acne, etc.), trauma, or after dermatological treatments (microdermabrasion, laser, strong chemical peeling).
Freckles/ephelides
Generally hereditary, they are mainly recognized because they tend to be located on the face. They appear during childhood, especially on fair and red skin and increase in number and coloration under the action of the sun and are more visible in summer than in winter.
Actinic keratosis (AK)
Actinic (or solar) keratosis is the most common precancerous lesion frequently appearing on areas exposed to the sun such as: face, ears, scalp, lower lip (actinic cheilitis). They often appear as small, dry, scaly, or crusty patches of skin that are easier to spot by touch than by sight.
Why do dark spots appear?
The role of the sun and UV rays
Ultraviolet rays stimulate the production of melanin, the natural pigment responsible for skin color. With repeated exposure, some areas accumulate more pigment and become visible as dark spots.
Even old exhibitions can have visible consequences several years later.
Skin Aging and Photoaging
With skin aging, the skin becomes less homogeneous in its melanin production. Chronic sun exposure accelerates this phenomenon: this is called photoaging.
Lentigines are often accompanied by other signs related to the sun:
- Uneven skin tone
- Enlarged pores
- fine lines
- loss of radiance
- less smooth skin texture
Factors promoting lentigines
Certain factors increase the risk of the appearance of pigment spots:
- fair skin
- Repeated sun exposure
- history of sunburn
- Frequent tanning
- Age
- photoaging
- certain hormonal variations
How to remove brown spots?
Several treatments can now reduce solar lentigines and even out the complexion. The protocol depends on the type of pigmentation, the depth of the lesions and the desired objectives.
At the Biolaser center in Saint-Louis, several technologies can be offered in a complementary way.
IPL Nordlys: treating lentigines and improving the radiance of the complexion
Nordlys IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses light pulses that target melanin found in pigment spots.
This technology is particularly suitable for:
- with multiple lentigines
- diffuse stains
- photoaging
- unevenness of the complexion
IPL allows you to simultaneously treat:
- brown spots
- some redness
- Dull complexion
- the overall quality of the skin
After the session, the spots darken temporarily before gradually disappearing in the following days.
Nordlys IPL is often used on:
- The face
- The cleavage
- hands
- the forearms
Several sessions may be necessary depending on the extent of the pigmented lesions.
Q-Switched pigment laser: targeted action on localized spots
The Q-Switched pigment laser delivers very precise energy absorbed by dark pigments.
This treatment is particularly interesting for:
- Well-defined lentigines
- isolated dark spots
- certain resistant pigmentations
The laser fragments the pigments which are then naturally eliminated by the body.
After treatment, a small superficial crust may appear temporarily before the stain gradually disappears.
This technology allows for highly targeted processing with high precision.
FRAX 1550 nm fractional laser: acting on dark spots and skin ageing
The FRAX 1550 nm fractional laser acts differently from pure pigment lasers.
Its objective is to improve the overall quality of the skin by stimulating skin renewal and collagen production.
It can be particularly interesting when lentigines are associated with:
- fine lines
- an irregular texture
- Visible pores
- Mild relaxation
- Marked photoaging
FRAX thus makes it possible to obtain a more overall improvement in skin tone and quality.
Depigmenting peels against pigmentation spots
Depigmenting peels use exfoliating active ingredients to promote skin renewal and gradually reduce certain hyperpigmentations.
They can be proposed:
- alone
- in addition to IPL
- in addition to the laser
Peels are particularly interesting for:
- Evening out the complexion
- Improve skin radiance
- treat certain superficial pigmentations
The protocol is always adapted to the phototype and sensitivity of the skin.
Before and after photos of pigment spots
Protocol for the treatment of solar spots/brown spots/lentigines
Step 1: Assessment and preparation :
During the first consultation, a medical professional will assess your skin and determine the appropriate treatments based on your specific needs. Skin preparation may be necessary before starting treatments. This can include using topical products to prepare the skin and optimize results.
Step 2: Choice of treatment
Before the appearance of lasers in the therapeutic arsenal of brown spots, doctors most often used liquid nitrogen, or dermabrasion. At the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis laser center we use:
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) with Nordlys : IPL is a technique that uses intense pulses of light to selectively target sunspots and reduce their appearance. An IPL session with the Nordlys system can be performed to treat sunspots. Pulsed light penetrates the skin and targets pigments, causing them to fragment and gradually eliminate.
- Fractional laser: The FRAX 1550 nm is a non-ablative laser treatment that uses microbeams of light to stimulate skin regeneration and reduce sun spots. A session of FRAX 1550 nm can be performed to promote collagen production, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of sun spots
- Q switch pigment laser: Lasers specifically designed to target pigments can be used to treat lentigines. These lasers emit pulses of light that are absorbed by the pigments, causing them to fragment and gradually eliminate. The pigment laser may require several sessions to obtain the best results.
- Depigmenting peels: the chemical peel uses specific solutions to exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin and reduce pigmentation spots. The choice of peel will depend on the evaluation of your skin and the recommendations of the medical professional.
Step 3: Post-treatment care
After each treatment session at the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis laser center, appropriate post-treatment care will be recommended by your healthcare professional. This can include applying soothing creams, moisturizers, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the skin and optimize results.
Step 4: Follow-up sessions
- Depending on the assessment of your skin and the response to the treatments, follow-up sessions will be recommended. The number of sessions needed may vary depending on the severity of the sunspots and your treatment goals.
- It is important to note that this protocol is a general suggestion and that specific treatments and intervals between sessions may vary depending on your individual needs. It is essential to consult a qualified healthcare professional to assess your skin and determine the most suitable treatment protocol for you.
- The different techniques can also be combined with each other.
- Remember to follow your healthcare professional’s instructions and recommendations regarding pre- and post-treatment care, as well as the use of topicals and adequate sun protection to maintain treatment results and prevent further sun damage.
What treatment should I choose for solar lentigines?
The most suitable treatment depends on several criteria:
| Location | Treatment often offered |
|---|---|
| Diffuse multiple lentigines | IPL Nordlys |
| Localized brown spots | Laser Q-Switched |
| Global photoaging | FRAX 1550 nm |
| Slight uneven skin tone | Depigmenting peels |
In some cases, several techniques can be combined to obtain a more complete and harmonious result.
The choice of treatment always depends on the type of pigment spots, their depth, the phototype, the quality of the skin and the desired objectives. A preliminary consultation at the Biolaser center in Saint-Louis, near Basel, Mulhouse and Colmar, allows us to precisely analyze the solar lentigines and determine together the most suitable strategy, whether it is Nordlys IPL, Q-Switched pigment laser, FRAX 1550 nm or depigmenting peels.
Procedure of a session (IPL NORDLYSTM) at the laser center in Mulhouse/Saint-Louis
The NordlysTM system treats skin that has been altered by the sun, and restores a clearer, clearer appearance to the complexion. The device emits energy directly targeted at the vessels or melanin present in your skin, leaving the surrounding skin intact. Potentially unwanted wavelengths are ruled out with our proprietary dual spectrum filter technology. The useful wavelengths are absorbed by the hemoglobin in your blood vessels (only the vessels targeted) and the melanin present in your dark spots or pigmented lesions.
- Before your treatment with the NordlysTM system, you will meet with your doctor to discuss your therapeutic and aesthetic expectations. The pulsed light used is completely safe, no special precautions are needed. However, it is important to avoid any sun exposure during the 4 weeks before your treatment (sun, solarium or self-tanning products)
- A session can last about 20 minutes, depending on the area of the face or body you want to treat. You will notice an improvement from the first session, however you may need to do several sessions to obtain the desired final result (on average between 2 and 4 sessions). Each session is spaced 4 weeks apart to give the skin time to renew itself.
- The number of sessions at the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis laser center depends on the location and the area to be treated. Treatments are most effective in patients with light, untanned skin at the time of treatment. Pre-programmed settings for each skin type ensure that energy is delivered in the right way for you.
- After the treatment, you may be recommended to apply a cloth soaked in cold water to the face or to use an ointment prescribed by the center’s doctor. You will also need to avoid sun exposure for 4 weeks even if there are no signs of inflammation on the treated area.
- Immediately after the treatment, the skin is slightly red and the spots may appear darker. There may be a feeling of sunburn with transient edema (swelling). Thin scabs will appear the day after the session and will disappear in about 10 days.
- You may notice a slight peeling on certain parts of the skin or a darkening of certain pigment spots for a few days after the treatment. After that, you will find that your skin is clearer and your complexion fresher.
- Annual or biannual maintenance sessions can be offered or alternated with other techniques.
Why treat your solar lentigines at Biolaser in Saint-Louis?
The Biolaser center, located in Saint-Louis in the Haut-Rhin region, near Basel, Mulhouse and Colmar, has several complementary technologies for personalized management of pigment spots and photoaging.
The combination of different techniques (Nordlys IPL, Q-Switched laser, FRAX 1550 nm and depigmenting peels) makes it possible to adapt the treatment to each skin and each type of pigmentation.
The objective is to obtain a natural, homogeneous result that respects the skin quality.
Are solar lentigines dangerous?
Lentigines are benign pigmented lesions related to the sun. If in doubt about a pigmented spot, medical advice is still recommended.
What is the difference between IPL and laser for dark spots?
IPL typically treats diffuse areas and improves the overall radiance of the complexion, while some pigment lasers allow for more targeted treatment of localized spots.
Can brown spots on the hands be treated?
Yes, the hands are one of the most frequently treated areas for solar lentigines.
Can stains come back after treatment?
Yes, especially in the event of significant sun exposure. Regular UV protection is still essential.
Can you treat sunspots in summer?
Pigment treatments are generally carried out outside periods of significant sun exposure in order to limit the risk of pigment rebound.
What is the best treatment for age spots?
There is no single treatment that fits all situations. The choice depends on the type of spot, the phototype and the overall quality of the skin.
