We all experience aging at different rates, and some people tend to have more skin spots than others as they get older. Skin spots are usually brown, black, or red. The spots tend to show up on the face, hands, arms, and shoulders which are areas that are most often exposed to the sun. While skin spots are usually painless and harmless, some people prefer to eradicate them for a more even skin appearance.

Excellent treatments to combat age spots include the following:

• Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion—Dermabrasion is the process of sanding down the surface layer of your skin with a quickly rotating brush. The skin surface layer is removed and a new, rejuvenated layer grows in after the scabs fall off.
• Freezing (cryotherapy)—Liquid nitrogen is transferred to the site with a cotton swab to avoid any freezing of the podiatrist’s fingers!
• Laser therapy—Laser therapies destroy melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) without causing any damage to the skin’s surface. Treatments with a laser or intense pulsed light will require several sessions, but will be minimally invasive to your skin.
• Medications—Hydroquinone used alone or with tretinoin therapy may gradually fade the spots over a few months. Broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher will help avoid side effects from using these medications.

If you need assistance with age spot treatment, your dermatologist is the best person to see. Dr. Juan Vaillant of Old Bridge Dermatology has been treating patients for hair, skin, and nail problems for over 30 years, and has the extensive background needed to help address a variety of dermatological issues. Dr. Vaillant has successfully treated acne, eczema, dandruff, hair loss, psoriasis, and nail fungus. If you are looking for an amiable, highly skilled dermatologist, call our office in Old Bridge, NJ at (732) 679-0222 and make an appointment.