BOOMj Expert: Are Brown Spots Giving You "Granny Hands"?
2008-07-17 16:26:10
Freckles, age spots, and liver spots are all just other names for sun damage, plain and simple. Whether they appear on your nose, forehead, shoulders, back, or the back of your hands, once they are present, they are almost impossible to eliminate. Fading creams, beaching creams, microdermabrasion, and peels can help, but the most effective and long term solution is with lasers.
Melanocytes are cells that protect the skin from ultraviolet light by producing melanin, the dark pigment in skin tans. Over time, sun exposure can cause melanocytes to group together and produce excess pigment, which darkens the skin cells. When these cells rise to the epidermis, they produce brown spots, age spots, and freckles.
The laser emits a beam of light energy that is absorbed by the melanin, which vaporizes the blemish. This creates a small red or grey colored burn that produces a scab within several days. The healing time for the treated area is normally 7 - 10 days. The healed skin is initially pink but regains pigmentation and blends into the surrounding skin.
During the treatment, the laser hand piece is placed against the skin and a short pulse of light is released. At the same time, a small jet of cryogen (extremely cold gas) is released to cool the skin. The hand piece is moved to the neighboring area and the process is repeated until the entire brown spot has been treated. Clients with darker skin are not candidates for this procedure because the skin surrounding the brown spot could absorb too much laser energy and produce a more serious burn. Laser brown spot removal works immediately by vaporizing the brown spot. The alternative of prescription skin bleaching creams, Retin A, and vitamin C serums, in conjunction with the daily use of a broad spectrum sunscreen, usually require 9 - 18 months to fade brown spots and even then may not eliminate them completely.
This procedure does not prevent new brown spots from forming, even in the treated area. After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure and use a broad spectrum sunscreen (minimum 30 SPF) every day.
The mild burn that results from this treatment, discomfort, bruising, pigmentation changes, scarring, or infection are rare but possible occurrences at the site of the procedure.
For natural skincare products that help heal while keeping skin looking youthful, healthy, clear and smooth, visit: http://www.optimal-outcome.com
Questions about skincare? Email me at skincare@boomj.com and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Check out my other BOOMj articles here: http://www.boomj.com/marjorieborell
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