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Age spots, liver
spots, or
brown
spots
usually
first
appear on
the face
and are
the result
of genetic
susceptibility
as well as
sun
exposure.
Contrary
to common
belief
they have
nothing to
do with
age or the
liver
although
one may
get more
as they get
older. In
addition
to the
face they
often can
occur on
the chest,
arms and
any sun
exposed
areas. Brown
spots or
age spots
do not
respond to
creams.
They can
safely and
effectively
be removed
by a
variety of
laser
treatments.
The most
effective
treatment
for brown
spots on
the face
is the use
of
Q-switched
lasers
such as
the Q-switched
Alexandrite
laser or
the Q
switched
Nd-YAG
laser.
Often, one
treatment
is enough
to
eradicate
brown
spots
safely and
effectively
anywhere
on the body.
Rarely a second
touch up
treatment will be
necessary.
Freckles
on the
face,
chest, and
back can
also be
effectively
treated
with the
Q-switched
Alexandrite
of Nd:YAG
lasers. |
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Intense
pulse
light
sources
(IPL) or
photofacials
can also
be used in
treatment
of brown
spots or
age spots.
However,
treatment
with this
modality
often
requires
at least
three to
five
sessions.
This
modality
is not as
effective
as lasers.
Fractional
Resurfacing
with the
Fraxel
laser is
also an
effective
treatment
for brown
spots for
those
individuals
who
additionally
seek
improvement
in fine
and
moderate
wrinkles,
texture,
pores,
acne scars
and other
skin
imperfections.
Causes of
Aging Skin
Research shows
that there are,
in fact, two
distinct types
of aging. Aging
caused by the
genes we
inherit is
called
intrinsic
(internal)
aging. The
other type of
aging is known
as extrinsic
(external)
aging and is
caused by
environmental
factors, such
as exposure to
the suns rays.
Intrinsic
Aging
Intrinsic
aging,
also known
as the
natural
aging
process,
is a
continuous
process
that
normally
begins in
our
mid-20s.
Within the
skin,
collagen
production
slows, and
elastin,
the
substance
that
enables
skin to
snap back
into
place, has
a bit less
spring.
Dead skin
cells do
not shed
as quickly
and
turnover
of new
skin cells
may
decrease
slightly.
While
these
changes
usually
begin in
our 20s,
the signs
of
intrinsic
aging are
typically
not
visible
for
decades.
The signs
of
intrinsic
aging are:
-
Fine
wrinkles
-
Thin
and
transparent
skin
-
Loss
of
underlying
fat,
leading
to
hollowed
cheeks
and
eye
sockets
as
well
as
noticeable
loss
of
firmness
on
the
hands
and
neck
-
Bones
shrink
away
from
the
skin
due
to
bone
loss,
which
causes
sagging
skin
-
Dry
skin
that
may
itch
-
Inability
to
sweat
sufficiently
to
cool
the
skin
-
Graying
hair
that
eventually
turns
white
-
Hair
loss
-
Unwanted
hair
-
Nail
plate
thins,
the
half
moons
disappear,
and
ridges
develops
Genes
control
how
quickly
the normal
aging
process
unfolds.
Some
notice
those
first gray
hairs in
their 20s;
others do
not see
graying
until
their 40s.
People
with
Werners
syndrome,
a rare
inherited
condition
that
rapidly
accelerates
the normal
aging
process,
usually
appear
elderly in
their 30s.
Their hair
can gray
and thin
considerably
in their
teens.
Cataracts
may appear
in their
20s. The
average
life
expectancy
for people
with
Werners
syndrome
is 46
years of
age.
Extrinsic
Aging
A number
of
extrinsic,
or
external,
factors
often act
together
with the
normal
aging
process to
prematurely
age our
skin. Most
premature
aging is
caused by
sun
exposure.
Other
external
factors
that
prematurely
age our
skin are
repetitive
facial
expressions,
gravity,
sleeping
positions,
and
smoking.
The Sun.
Without
protection
from the
suns
rays, just
a few
minutes of
exposure
each day
over the
years can
cause
noticeable
changes to
the skin.
Freckles,
age spots,
spider
veins on
the face,
rough and
leathery
skin, fine
wrinkles
that
disappear
when
stretched,
loose
skin, a
blotchy
complexion,
actinic
keratoses
(thick
wart-like,
rough,
reddish
patches of
skin), and
skin
cancer can
all be
traced to
sun
exposure.
Photoaging
is the
term
dermatologists
use to
describe
this type
of aging
caused by
exposure
to the
suns
rays. The
amount of
photoaging
that
develops
depends
on: 1) a
persons
skin color
and 2)
their
history of
long-term
or intense
sun
exposure.
People
with fair
skin who
have a
history of
sun
exposure
develop
more signs
of
photoaging
than those
with dark
skin. In
the
darkest
skin, the
signs of
photoaging
are
usually
limited to
fine
wrinkles
and a
mottled
complexion.
Photoaging
occurs
over a
period of
years.
With
repeated
exposure
to the
sun, the
skin loses
the
ability to
repair
itself,
and the
damage
accumulates.
Scientific
studies
have shown
that
repeated
ultraviolet
(UV)
exposure
breaks
down
collagen
and
impairs
the
synthesis
of new
collagen.
The sun
also
attacks
our
elastin.
Sun-weakened
skin
ceases to
spring
back much
earlier
than skin
protected
from UV
rays. Skin
also
becomes
loose,
wrinkled,
and
leathery
much
earlier
with
unprotected
exposure
to
sunlight.
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for
information
about
Photofacials
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If you need more information or would like to schedule and appointment for a consultation, please click here to contact us or call one of our offices at: (212) 593-1818 New York
(516) 512-7616 Long Island |
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