Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.

Age spots are very common in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them if they spend time in the sun.

When is this recommended?

It’s best to have any new skin changes evaluated by a doctor, especially if a spot:

• Is black
• Is increasing in size
• Has an irregular border
• Has an unusual combination of colors
• Is bleeding

What is the Procedure?

Your skin will be cleansed with an antiseptic and your healthcare provider will give you any or a combination of the following to make you comfortable during the dermabrasion procedure:

• Numbing spray.
• Topical anesthetic gel.
• Local anesthetic injection.

Once the numbing medication has taken effect, your healthcare provider will use a high-speed rotary instrument with an abrasive diamond wheel or wire brush to scrape away the outer layers of skin and reveal the fresh layers underneath. Once the procedure is complete, your healthcare provider will apply a moist dressing to your skin to keep it protected while it heals.

The length of the procedure depends on how much of the skin will go through dermabrasion. It may take a few minutes, or it may take more than 90 minutes.

What are the advantages?

• Age (liver) spots.
• Crow’s feet and fine lines.
• Melasma and other patches of dark skin.
• Pox marks and tattoos.
• Red, thick skin on the nose (rhinophyma).
• Scars from acne, accidents, or surgery.
• Skin growths that are benign (noncancerous).
• Precancerous skin patches.
• Sun damage and wrinkles.
• Stretch marks.