By: David J. Cloney, M.D., FACS Medical Director of Attitudes Medi Spa

The visible signs of aging, such as brown spots and wrinkles, can cause a person to appear much older than they actually are. For the most part this is not due to the natural aging process, but by many different stressors the body undergoes over a period of time; such as poor diet, lack of exercise, hormonal levels, free radical damage, stress, and cumulative sun exposure. Fortunately, there are many non-invasive methods available to help erase some this damage. Methods such as prescription strength topical skin care products, lasers and light therapy, microdermabrasions, chemical peels, and injections are readily available at many physicians’ offices and medical spas.

Age spots, or liver spots as they are sometimes called, are a result of uneven melanin distribution in the skin caused by exposure to damaging UV rays. Melanin is what gives the skin its pigment and when it is not functioning properly it will over produce in certain areas causing dark spots and freckles. Several modalities are available to treat hyperpigmentation and can be used in conjunction with one another for the best result.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a common treatment for hyperpigmentation. This treatment sends filtered light into the skin, targets areas of pigmentation, breaks them apart, and then brings them to the surface of the skin in the form of a small scab. The hyperpigmented spot will then fall off leaving no trace of the sun damage. This treatment is done in several sessions and decreases your risk of developing skin cancer.

Microdermabrasion is a physical exfoliation method that propels small crystals over the skins surface through the use of vacuum pressure. This method helps to fade hyperpigmentaion on the surface and allows for better product penetration. This treatment coupled with a chemical peel, which enhances and accelerates the exfoliation process, can produce amazing results.

When treating any skin concern, a home skin care regiment is a must. Products used at home with active ingredients such as retinoids and hydroquinone help accelerate the results of any treatment regime. Retinoids such as Tretinoin most commonly known as Retin-A, are keritolitic which stimulates skin cell turnover. Hydroquinone is a lightening agent that suppresses melanin and helps fade areas of hyperpigmentation.

Attitudes Medical Spa performs all of these treatments and has 2 at home product lines, Bellederm and Obagi, which help to continue the “anti-aging” process outside the medical spa. They also have other treatments such as Botox, Restylane, and Radiesse injections as well as other laser treatments to combat aging that were not described in this article. Call to book your FREE skin care consultation today and learn how you can fight the signs of aging. (302) 422-3356.