Sensational Skin in Scottsdale uses more than one light-based approach for age spots, including CO2 laser resurfacing and IPL PhotoFacial. Which one fits depends on where the spots are, what else is going on in the skin, and how much downtime a person can plan around. That choice is made at an in-person consultation, after the spots have been looked at.
What are age spots?
Age spots are flat brown spots that show up on skin that has seen a lot of sun over the years. People also call them sun spots or liver spots. They tend to appear on the face, hands, chest, shoulders and arms, the places that get the most light. In Arizona, where the sun is strong for much of the year and people in Scottsdale and Phoenix spend plenty of time outdoors, they are a common reason people ask about laser treatment.
Age spots are a form of pigmentation, meaning extra color in the skin. The practice notes that pigmentation can range from superficial spots to deeper discoloration, and that understanding the cause comes first. That is why the approach is personalized rather than the same for everyone.
Have the spot evaluated before any treatment
Not every brown mark is an age spot. A spot that is new, growing, changing in color or shape, bleeding, itching or not healing should be checked by a qualified medical provider before any cosmetic treatment is considered. The same goes for any spot that simply worries you. Melasma, a pattern of darker patches, is a medical condition too, so evaluation by a qualified provider comes before treatment.
At Sensational Skin, the focus is on cosmetic pigmentation, and an in-person evaluation comes before any treatment plan.
Is laser treatment used for age spots?
Yes, the practice uses light-based treatment for brown spots and sun damage. Two of the main options are CO2 laser resurfacing and IPL PhotoFacial, and they work in different ways.
CO2 laser resurfacing
Sun damage and uneven pigmentation are among the concerns listed on the practice's CO2 laser resurfacing page. The laser uses precise energy to remove damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating collagen renewal. Dr. Brown uses the Lumenis UltraPulse Encore CO2 laser, which can treat at a range of depths:
- ActiveFX, a lighter fractional CO2 treatment done in a single treatment session, which the practice uses for fine lines, pigmentation, sun damage and texture. It involves less downtime than deeper resurfacing.
- TotalFX, DeepFX and SCAAR FX, additional depths on the same platform.
- MaxFX, deep corrective resurfacing for more advanced concerns.
Because CO2 resurfacing treats the skin surface as a whole, it is often part of the conversation when age spots come along with other concerns the practice lists for CO2, such as fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture, enlarged pores, or aging skin on the neck and chest.
IPL and BBL PhotoFacial
Intense pulsed light (IPL) and BroadBand Light (BBL) are used at the practice for brown spots, freckles and sun damage, as well as redness, broken capillaries and uneven tone. The practice's device is the Lumenis One IPL, a 7-filter system, and the practice has offered IPL since 1998. The IPL team trained in the photofacial protocol of Dr. Patrick Bitter Sr., and Susan Brown, the practice's Laser Safety Officer, personally performs IPL treatments.
IPL is also used off the face, on the chest, neck, hands, arms, shoulders and legs, which matters for age spots since they so often appear on the hands and arms. Learn more on the IPL and BBL PhotoFacial page.
Other options for brown spots
Laser and light are not the only tools. Options the practice lists for pigmentation may include:
- Topical creams and serums, including medical-grade skin care from lines such as ZO Skin Health and Obagi
- Oil control treatments
- Chemical peels, such as the ZO Controlled Depth Peel and Obagi Blue Peel
- Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics, which are sun-protecting
You can read more about the practice's overall approach on its hyperpigmentation page. Many plans combine more than one of these, and skin care plans are personalized at a consultation.
How the right approach is chosen
The practice does not believe every patient needs the same laser treatment. At the consultation, Dr. Brown and Susan Brown look at the skin and talk through goals, then build a plan together. A few things usually shape the conversation:
- Where the spots are. The face, chest and neck may be considered for CO2 resurfacing or IPL, while spots on the hands, arms and shoulders are areas where the practice uses IPL.
- What else you would like to address. If texture, lines or overall sun damage are part of the picture, resurfacing may come up.
- Downtime. Lighter fractional treatments involve less downtime, while deeper MaxFX and full CO2 resurfacing need more healing time. Dr. Brown reviews expected recovery at the consultation.
For CO2 treatments, care around the procedure includes medical-grade skin preparation, a guided recovery protocol, stabilization treatments to support healing, and weekend follow-up care, along with anesthesiologist-directed comfort options.
Who performs laser treatment at Sensational Skin?
CO2 laser resurfacing is physician-led by S. Kent Brown, M.D., Medical Director since 1998. Dr. Brown is an anesthesiologist with more than 40 years of surgical experience and more than 25 years of CO2 laser experience, and he customizes every treatment. The staff, including the IPL team, works under his supervision.
The practice keeps a hyperpigmentation before and after gallery. Results vary, and the photos show individual patients, not a promise of any outcome.
Book a consultation about age spots in Scottsdale
The first step is an in-person look at your skin, and results may vary from person to person. Sensational Skin is at 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, convenient to North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia and Biltmore. The practice offers a complimentary consultation. Call or text (480) 596-9111, or request a consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laser treatment used for age spots?
Yes. Sensational Skin uses light-based treatments for brown spots and sun damage, including CO2 laser resurfacing and IPL PhotoFacial, chosen for each patient at a consultation.
Can IPL be used for age spots on the hands?
The practice uses IPL for brown spots and sun damage on the face and also on the chest, neck, hands, arms, shoulders and legs.
Should a brown spot be checked before laser treatment?
Yes. A spot that is new, changing or concerning should be evaluated by a qualified medical provider before any cosmetic treatment is considered.
Book a consultation. Every plan starts with a consultation at our Scottsdale office, 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115. Call or text (480) 596-9111, or request a consultation online.
Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms or a medical condition, please see a qualified medical provider.