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If you’re looking to find out how to get rid of dark spots on your face, Doctor Roya Jafari Hassad in New York is an award-winning and internationally recognized physician who can help. Trust in her to provide the personalized treatments you need to clear up your dark spots, transform your life, and get back to full health.
Dark spots on the face, which go by many other names including sun spots, age spots, liver spots, and hyperpigmentation, are caused by overactive pigment cells producing an excess of melanin. This leads to changes in skin color, with brown or black patches that can appear on the hands, shoulders, and arms in addition to the face. They are common as we get older, but some people are affected more than others by the aging appearance of these spots.
The main cause of dark spots is exposure to UV radiation – in other words, prolonged sun exposure. This usually accrues over many years, hence the term “age spots”. Some people are more genetically predisposed to these conditions, while acne and hormonal imbalances can also play a role. A condition known as melasma can cause similar patches, most commonly in pregnant women. Although sometimes mistaken for early skin cancer signs, dark spots are generally harmless.
There are a range of options for treating dark spots on the face, depending on the patient’s specific needs. Beyond prescription products such as hydroquinone gel/cream, we have outlined the three main types of cosmetic treatments below. Book a consultation with Doctor Roya in New York to get a personalized medical treatment plan designed around you.
Fraxel laser treatment is a non-invasive, non-ablative option, meaning it heats the underlying skin tissue without damaging the surface of the skin. This FDA-approved treatment minimizes healing time and discomfort and can also be used on other parts of the body.
Also known as Photofacial, Fotofacial, or IPL, this treatment employs high-intensity pulses of light to stimulate dormant cells and encourage collagen production. It is non-invasive and requires minimal downtime following treatment.
Chemical peels can also be used to treat dark spots on the face. These range from superficial to deep depending on the patient’s needs. The chemical solution used causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off, replacing it with smoother “new” skin with less damage. The healing period for chemical peels can range from 1 day up to 21 days for the deepest peels.
All the treatments mentioned above help reduce and remove dark spots on the face. The result? Younger, healthier, happier looking skin. Take a look at these before and after pictures to see the difference for yourself.
If you’re bothered by sun-damaged skin or suffer from pigmented lesions, you’re probably a good candidate for pigmentation treatments to remove dark spots on the face. The great news is that the treatment options are non-invasive, making them safe for a wide range of people, and they can be customized to suit a variety of skin types and colors.
Prior to your treatment, it’s best to avoid sun exposure and tanning for several weeks. If this isn’t possible, use a high-factor sunscreen – being tan can interfere with the efficacy of the treatment and result in undesired side effects. Also, don’t wear any makeup or lotion on your face on the day of the treatment.
If you’re having laser treatment to get rid of dark spots on the face, bear in mind that this causes heat within the skin. It’s therefore important to avoid adding any further heat to the skin for 48 hours afterward. This includes exercising, taking showers, or using saunas or hot tubs. Patients should avoid applying any makeup for 24 hours and should practice good skin care such as frequently applying moisturizer and sunblock post-treatment to prevent the pigmentation from reoccurring.
It all depends on which procedure you decide to go for. Certain chemical peels can take as little as 15 minutes, while other treatments such as laser removal can last for 45 minutes. Most of the time, you’ll be in and out of the clinic within an hour, so the treatment can flexibly fit into your daily routine. It’s worth considering that your physician may recommend multiple sessions (3-5) spaced 2-4 weeks apart for optimum results.
Patients may be able to see results straight after treatment, but it’s worth bearing in mind that potential mild side effects such as redness and peeling can prevent these from being immediately obvious. You should start to see gradual results from around 1 week after treatment, and this can continue for up to 6 months as the skin heals and regenerates further.
None of the treatments for dark spots on the face involve any significant pain for most patients. Laser treatment can feel like a warming sensation or a mild snap akin to a small rubber band hitting the skin. Patients who are concerned can ask their physician to apply numbing anesthetic cream. Contact Doctor Roya if you would like to discuss this in more detail.
Treatment to remove dark spots on the face typically involves minimal downtime. Patients can often return to their daily activities almost straight away, taking care not to exacerbate any side effects such as redness and peeling. More invasive treatments may require rest from a few days to a week. Book a consultation to find out more.
12 Bond St, Unit C2 Great Neck NY 11021
895 Park Ave, Suite 1 B, New York, NY 10075
41-02 75th Street First floor Elmhurst, NY 11373
109 East 36th Street, NY 10016
