"Skin Tags"
Brown Spots Got You Down? Mon, Dec 19 2011
This is the time of year we focus on treating sun spots. When patients stop tanning they often seem to notice these darker spots more due to the contrast with surrounding paler skin. And, its easier to treat them in the office or lighten them w/home care products when there is less sun exposure.
The first step is to make the right diagnosis. While most sun spots are harmless and simply the results of prior sun damage, occasionally we see someone who thinks they have just an age spot/sun spot and it turns out to be a more serious problem. Its important to differentiate these, and that's part of our expertise as dermatologists.
Then, of course, we need to encourage measures to prevent more sun damage—using broad spectrum sunscreen and antioxidants is important year round. We still get UVA in the winter, and of course many of us travel to sunnier climates to escape our bleak winter weather.
Assuming we are dealing with simply sun spots (we call them lentigines) we can offer:
-home treatments, ranging from alpha hydroxy and other natural plant acids to prescription hydroquinone, as well as topical antioxidants. For example, the new Phloretin Gel has been proven to lighten sun spots as well as prevent more in addition to youthening the look of our skin in other ways.
-office treatments, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser procedures.
When we discuss lasers we like to divide them into two basic categories: those that gently break up the pigment and lighten areas slowly, often needing several treatments a few weeks apart non ablative) VS those that are more aggressive and immediate and break up the pigment quicker but also cause some temporary controlled skin damage (ablative).
Specifically, we offer these non ablative treatments: Laser genesis , Limelight , and Q Switched YAG Laser Rejuvenation.
Ablative treatments include fractional resurfacing and a more focused, intense treatment with our Q Switched YAG laser. These sessions take a bit more effort on our part and require more downtime on your part but the results are more striking and nearly immediate.
We can create a customized treatment plan for you that fits anyone budget or schedule. Call today for a complimentary consultation. 573.446.5166
And….for December 2011…Buy Three Limelight Facials, Get ONE FREE!
