Can Lasers Get Rid of My Sun Spots? 

A good tan was once a symbol of good health, but we know better now. Unfortunately, all the time spent in the sun in your younger years caused skin damage.

Sun spots are the visible signs of that damage, creating flat and darkened areas on the skin, affecting complexion. Though we can’t reverse sun damage, we can improve the look of your  skin and lighten the sun spots with laser treatment.

At Associated Skin Care Specialists, our experienced, board-certified dermatologists are skilled at using lasers to improve the look, tone, and texture of skin. Here, we want to explain how lasers get rid of sun spots.

About sun spots

Sun spots, also called age spots and liver spots, are areas of hyperpigmentation that affect  sun-exposed areas of the skin like the face, shoulders, and hands. The tan or brown-colored spots are a collection of melanocytes, the skin’s pigmentation cells.

Production of melanocytes increases when  exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun or a tanning bed. While a tan fades, sun spots tend to stick around. They’re more common as you get older, and you may start noticing them around age 40.

Sun spots can look like skin cancer. However, they’re harmless and don’t require treatment. But if you’re unhappy about your uneven complexion, cosmetic dermatology can help. 

Lasers for sun spots

Lasers are an effective treatment for sun spots. Results are quick and long-lasting, as long as you take extra steps to protect your skin from the sun. 

We use the Fraxel® laser and Cutera® excel V laser for sun spots.

Fraxel laser

The Fraxel laser is a skin resurfacing laser that delivers microbeams of light energy into the skin, creating micro-injuries. The laser activates the skin’s healing process without causing any real damage, triggering production of new skin cells to replace the pigmented cells and improve skin tone.

Excel V laser

The excel V laser has two wavelengths of energy that heat the surface and deeper layers of skin. We use the excel V laser tool to treat darker pigmentation. The laser breaks up the pigmented cells so the skin can remove them and replace them with healthier, younger skin cells.

What to expect during and after laser treatment 

Laser treatment for sun spots is an in-office treatment that takes less than an hour. We clean your skin with an antiseptic agent and apply a numbing cream before starting to minimize discomfort. You may feel a warming or snapping sensation during treatment, but most people tolerate the procedure.

Your skin may redden and swell immediately after your session, but these side effects go away within a day or two. There’s no need for downtime, but we recommend protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen, clothing,  wide-brimmed hats, or large sunglasses.

You may need up to three laser treatments every four weeks to get the best results. You should notice improvements in your skin within two weeks, but it takes several weeks to see the full effects.

Continuing to protect your skin from the sun can prolong the results of your laser treatment.

Are you considering laser treatment to get rid of your sun spots? We can talk to you about our laser tools and how they may help you get the look you want. 

Call us today at 763-571-4000 to schedule a consultation. We offer laser treatments for sun spots at our offices in Eden Prairie, Maple Grove,and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We also have offices in Blaine, Coon Rapids, and Fridley, Minnesota, for dermatology care and do dermatology research at our Brighton, Minnesota, office.