With summer right around the corner, you may already have plans to spend hours enjoying the sunshine and soaking up the sun’s rays.  When sunbathing is part of your warm-weather routine, you’re putting yourself at risk for developing sun spots, also known as age spots and livers spots. Sun spots are a result of excessive sun exposure, and are usually found on the forearms, neck, chest and the back of the hands – anywhere that receives an extra dose of sunshine as you go about your day.

If you want to step into summer with a fresher appearance this year, there are ways to get rid of sun spots for good. Consider these simple treatments an procedures to eliminate sun spots from your summer agenda:  

Get Rid of Sun Spots with Laser Skin Resurfacing  

Fraxel is just one of several laser skin resurfacing treatments that can help remove sun spots and improve the texture and tone of the skin. Fraxel works by penetrating the skin at its deepest layers and breaking down the damaged skin cells and tissue. After creating trauma in the treatment area, the skin begins to repair itself and heal; this generates fresh new cells and eliminates the appearance of sun spots and other patches of skin pigmentation for a fresher appearance. Other laser skin resurfacing technologies include:

• CO2 Laser – a high intensity laser treatment that can also be used to treat skin cancer and dark pigmentation
• Erbium Laser – this intensive laser helps remove the top layer of skin completely to reveal a fresher layer underneath.  This treatment can also reduce fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars to leave you with fresher, more radiant skin  

Remove Sun Spots with Microdermabrasion  

Microdermabrasion techniques can buff away the skin’s top layer and stimulate collagen production. A series of microdermabrasion treatments can help peel away the layers of damaged skin and eliminate the appearance of recent sun spots and patches of pigmentation. Sun spots that have been on the skin for longer periods of time may need to be treated with a combination of microdermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing techniques.  

Get Rid of Sun Spots with Chemical Peels  

Chemical peels are an effective way to ‘strip’ the top layer of skin and slowly get rid of scars, spots and blemishes. This is a more gradual approach for sun spot removal, and can also improve the texture and tone of the skin. The treatment helps restore damaged skin and increases collagen production, the essential element to youthful looking skin.  

Remove Sun Spots with PhotoFacials

IPL lasers in used for laser photo rejuvenation can effectively reduce skin pigmentation and reduce the appearance of sun spots. You will need a series of treatments to achieve smooth and healthy skintone, but this can be a powerful skin rejuvenation treatment if you have freckles, acne scars and other types of pigmentation on the surface of the skin. PhotoFacial technology exposes the skin to an intense pulsed light that helps even out the skin’s texture, shrink pores, and also reduces the appearance of blood vessels. You’ll be left with radiant, clear skin after a series of 5 – 6 treatments  (Source: California Face and Laser Institute).  

Managing your skin throughout the season is an important part of any skincare routine, and there are ways to prevent sun spots from developing. Keeping your skin healthy with a quality moisturizer and sunscreen, eating a balanced diet, and drinking enough water throughout those warmer days ahead can help keep your skin strong and resilient.  

Learn more about antiaging and skin rejuvenation treatments in our information guide, or get in touch with a cosmetic dermatologist in your area for a complete sun spot removal treatment program.