Anyone who has the appearance of light brown to black spots appearing on the face, hands, arms, back and other areas of the body which have been exposed to the sun or other ultra-violet rays can be a candidate for one of our hyperpigmentation or age spot therapies.

Although hyperpigmentation is most prominent in individuals over 40, it can be present in people of all ages.

Additionally, it is advisable to have any suspect skin issue assessed by a member of our highly trained specialists who will in turn involve Dr. Alanen if required.

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition which is recognized by uneven or blotchy patches on the skin. It is caused by an excessive amount of overstimulation of melanin, or skin pigment, being produced which frequently appear on the face, back of the hands, shoulders, and other parts of the body that are subject to sun exposure. Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations, the natural aging process, traumatic skin injuries, or inflammation.

Age spots, which are also referred to as sun spots, liver spots (melasma), are a form of hyperpigmentation which are light brown to black in color, and generally affect individuals over 40 years of age.

Additionally, melasma, also referred to as chloasma is another form of hyperpigmentation, which can appear in men, but generally affects women. It is most common in women during and after pregnancy and is related to changing hormone levels.

There are a number of ways to treat hyperpigmentation and age spots including topical creams, chemical peels, light or laser therapy, or a combination of these methods.