Even on cloudy days, the sun’s ultraviolet rays are shining and helping sustain life on the planet. However, too much sunlight can damage your skin. The sun is responsible for 90% of skin changes over time, also known as photoaging.
Sustained sun damage can lead to brown spots on your skin that can make you look and feel older. At Phases Skin Care and Laser Center, we offer effective sun spot removal in Indianapolis to help restore your skin’s natural pigment.
Methods for Sun Spot Removal in Indianapolis
We use laser and light therapies to address a wide range of skin concerns, including sun spots. The best part of using laser therapies is that they’re customizable. More than that, we can treat multiple skin conditions at the same time, leaving you with an overall revitalized complexion.
Why do we use lasers for sun spot removal?
It may seem counterintuitive to use light to correct damage that was caused by sunlight, but it’s actually one of the most effective ways to remove sun damage.
Our skincare experts will examine your skin and determine which of our techniques to use based on the extent of sun damage on your skin. We can customize your laser treatment based on your unique skin concerns, budget, and lifestyle.
How do lasers remove sun spots?
Laser and light techniques remove damaged skin cells and boost your skin’s natural collagen production to refresh your complexion. Laser treatments can also address other skin concerns at the same time, such as wrinkles or acne scars.
Depending on your skin, you may need more than one treatment to remove your sun spots. During your consultation, we’ll discuss how many treatments you might need and we can adjust as your skin improves over time.
Enlighten Pico Genesis
Our PICO Genesis is a noninvasive laser treatment. It’s our lightest treatment for pigmentation like sun spots or brown spots. There’s no downtime required after your treatment, making it very convenient to add to your busy schedule.
- Treatment time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Recovery time: None
PICO genesis revitalizes your skin by targeting and breaking up areas of unwanted pigment. It also gently heats your skin to stimulate collagen and elastin for visibly brighter, smoother skin.
Broadband Light (BBL) Therapy
With broadband light, we can target age spots, sun damage, and more anywhere on the body! Our BBL HERO is one of the most versatile, popular treatments we offer. It’s gentle enough for all skin types and tones, but powerful enough to treat deeper skin concerns.
- Treatment time: 1 to 2 hours
- Recovery time: 0 to 3 days
BBL is ideal for patients with sun damage that’s too advanced for the PICO Genesis. For some patients, we combine BBL with HALO to provide optimal results.
HALO Laser
The HALO laser combines both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths for a laser technique that maximizes your treatment time. A HALO treatment gently resurfacings your skin by removing the outer, damaged layers, to reveal revitalized skin underneath.
- Treatment time: 1 to 2 hours
- Recovery time: 5 to 7 days
HALO easily erases signs of aging and stimulates skin cell turnover for a renewed complexion.
Microlaser Peel
The Microlaser Peel is our best hyperpigmentation treatment. It’s the most aggressive solution we have for sun spot removal in Indianapolis. The device removes the unhealthy surface layer and damage.
- Treatment time: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Recovery time: 1 to 5 days
Before treatment, we apply a topical numbing cream to ensure your comfort under the laser. You may experience some redness for about 8 hours following your appointment.
Are there alternatives to lasers for sun spot removal?
While our laser treatments are the most effective treatment for skin pigmentation, there are other options for those who need only minimal correction.
DiamondGlow Facial
The DiamondGlow facial uses a patented diamond tip to gently resurface your skin. Over time, regular DiamondGlows can reduce the appearance of sun spots by encouraging your skin to naturally shed damaged cells.
Because DiamondGlow is much less aggressive than a laser treatment, the results will take longer to appear.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a great way to revitalize your skin and give it a fresh start. For superficial sun spots, they can be an effective solution.
Chemical peels work by gently removing the outer layer of your skin. They’re safe and customizable for every skin type.
It would take several chemical peels to achieve the same results as a laser treatment.
What causes sun spots?
Sun spots on the skin are caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
UV light increases the amount of melanin (pigment) that your skin produces, which results in dark spots. They tend to be slightly larger than freckles and usually appear on areas like the arms, face, and upper body that are exposed to the sun frequently.
People with a fair complexion and a history of sunburns seem to have an increased risk of sun spots. Sun spots are not medically concerning unless you notice sudden and rapid changes in their size or color.
Sun spot removal in Indianapolis at Phases Skin Care and Laser Center can help you renew your complexion and reduce the appearance of sun spots.
Why Sunscreen Is So Important
Sunscreen is one of, if not the most important part of your skincare routine. It should go on last after all your other products, including makeup, to make sure it works and isn’t compromised by ingredients in your other products.
The sun has two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. The difference between the two types is length (B rays are shorter). UVA rays are associated with skin aging, and UVB rays are associated with burning.
What is SPF?
Sunscreens all have an SPF number. “SPF” stands for “sun protection factor.” SPF refers only to the protection factor against UVB rays. Broad-spectrum SPF protects from both UVA and UVB rays.
The number on your sunscreen tells you how long the sun’s UV rays would take to burn your skin compared to not wearing any sunscreen at all. An SPF of 30 means it would take 30 times longer for the sun to affect your skin. A higher SPF also blocks a higher percentage of the sun’s rays too.
Of course, this is only true when you use your sunscreen as directed and reapply every 2 hours. You should always use SPF during prolonged sun exposure.
Where to Go for Sun Spot Removal in Indianapolis
If you notice sun spots on your skin and you’d like to have them removed, it’s time to visit a skin clinic for professional support.
Consultation
When you visit Phases Skin Care and Laser Center, we’ll invite you in for an in-depth consultation with one of our skincare specialists.
During your consultation, we’ll examine your skin and make recommendations for treatment that may include in-office procedures and/or at-home skincare products.
Be prepared to discuss:
- Your skin conditions and symptoms
- Your goals for treatment
- Any mediations your take
- Allergies
- Diet
- Medical history and any previous treatments
Your provider will use this information to tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs. All of our laser technologies are customizable based on your skin type, tone, and condition.
Visiting a skincare professional can set your mind at ease. They’re trained to diagnose skin conditions, including cancer, and can help you protect your skin’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Spot Removal in Indianapolis
Will the sun spots come back?
After you’ve had sun spots removed, they won’t come back. However, it’s still possible to develop new sun spots. To prevent that, you should use sunscreen and avoid prolonged sun exposure without protection.
Does sun spot removal hurt?
Sun spot removal is a relatively pain-free process with expert laser technicians. Some of our more aggressive treatments may require some recovery time after your procedure. When necessary, we can use a topical numbing cream to help ensure your comfort.
Can I prevent sun spots?
You can prevent sun spots from developing by avoiding sun exposure and using SPF regularly. Maintaining an effective at-home skincare routine can also boost your skin’s health and protect against sun damage.
Need Sun Spot Removal in Indianapolis? Visit the Experts at Phases.
There are many benefits to visiting a skin clinic when you have concerns about your skin. Expert care, custom treatments, and ongoing support can help you revitalize your skin and care for it in the long term. The experts at Phases Skin Care and Laser Center are ready and waiting to help you experience revitalized skin today.
Schedule your consultation to get started.
Not ready for an in-person visit, or just interested in exploring all our aesthetic treatment offerings? You can use our virtual consultation tool to get started online. Our tool lets you answer a few simple questions and provides customized treatment recommendations delivered to your inbox.