Director of Cosmetic Surgery,

University of Illinois Chicago

Department  of Dermatology

Oakbrook Center Mall

Oak Brook, Illinois

(630) 928-0240

Jeffrey  Melton, M.D., S.C.,

link to us

drmelton.com

Age spot removal:

Age spot removal is easily achieved with lasers.  With laser, the treatment can be pinpointed at even a very small spot.  Other methods used to remove age spots include laser resurfacing, and cryosurgery.  Laser resurfacing is a pretty significant procedure to recover from, so it is usually done only when there is severe sun damage or undesired wrinkles to remove as well.  The advantage of the newer laser systems is that the laser energy is absorbed selectively by the color of the age spot, avoiding harm to the surrounding skin.  This is desirable, particularly on the face. 

What are age spots?  Age spots are small to moderate sized pigmented, or brown lesions or spots, often found on the face, arms, and back.  Technically, most are what are called seborrheic keratoses.  A Seborrheic keratosis is not a dangerous, pre-malignant, or malignant lesion, so its removal is done primarily for cosmetic reasons.