How to Get Rid of Age Spots on Legs

During your summer fun, you may have noticed dark spots cropping up across your legs. Although the sun’s UV rays feel so lovely as you’re lounging in them, they are also really good at damaging the skin. One of the most common signs of this damage is age spots. These dark, hyper-pigmented blemishes, though benign, can cause a lot of frustration. 

Offering the Dallas/Ft. Worth area compassionate medical aesthetics expertise, Southlake Plastic Surgery is the premier destination for all your cosmetic surgeries and aesthetic treatments, including age spot removal. So if you’re curious about how to reverse sun damage on your legs, keep reading to learn about the tried and true methods we recommend at Southlake Plastic Surgery.

What are age spots & why do we get them?

Age spots, also known as sun spots or liver spots, are small, flat areas of dark pigment on the skin. They resemble freckles and can cause patients to look older than they feel. These spots are commonly located on the: 

 

• Face
• Chest
• Shoulders
• Hands
• Legs 

It is no coincidence that these spots of dark pigment crop up in areas most often exposed to the sun. UV exposure accounts for a vast majority of premature aging of the skin, including sun spots. The darkening of pigment is an attempt by your body to protect itself from the sun. 

While sun spots are benign, they are correlated with a higher risk of skin cancer. Those with more sun spots typically expose their skin to the sun without SPF at a higher rate, which increases the risk of developing melanoma.

So while age spots are not harmful in and of themselves, you can protect yourself from skin cancer and from sun spots by wearing a daily SPF. However, we can’t fight aging completely. That’s why we treat many patients who would prefer to be rid of age spots for cosmetic reasons. If you find yourself in this group, you’ll likely benefit from the following information. 

How to get rid of age spots on legs

Age spots on legs can cause you to feel self conscious. If you’re in need of a revitalizing treatment, these recommendations from Southlake Plastic Surgery can make you feel like yourself again!

BBL Hero

How it works

Many patients think that the BBL Hero is a laser treatment, but in fact it is an IPL (intense pulsed light) procedure. BBL stands for broad band light, and it’s a type of IPL that gently heats up the damaged cells. This then allows the body to slough off those cells and make way to new, healthy ones. It also encourages your body to continue producing elastin and collagen, the framework for happy, healthy skin. 

The BBL Hero is a treatment that tackles a wide variety of skin issues other than age spots. However, BBL is especially effective in targeting age spots. It does this by breaking up the unwanted pigment, thus reducing their visibility on the skin of your legs.

The Hero is a setting on Sciton’s mJoule machine, and it is considered the gold standard in fighting sun damage and premature signs of aging. This revolutionary technology allows your provider to treat larger treatment areas, such as the legs, with precision and effectiveness. The Hero  feature also treats patients faster and with more ease and comfort than its predecessor, the BBL.

What it treats

The BBL Hero treats a variety of skin conditions other than age spots, such as:

• Acne
• Acne scarring
• Uneven skin tone
• Dry or oily skin
• Dull, rough skin
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Sagging skin
• Cherry angiomas
• Unwanted freckles
• Rosacea
• Unwanted hair

Results

For the first day or so, you may experience slight redness or tenderness in the treatment area. You’ll be able to notice a diminished appearance of sun spots within 2 to 4 weeks following treatment! 

For optimal results, we recommend a series of treatments spaced at least a month apart. During your initial consultation with one of our excellent providers, we’ll discuss how many treatments are necessary to achieve your desired results. 

We always strive to create a customized treatment plan for each of our patients. We never use a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. That’s why our consultation process is so important to us; so we always have all the information we need to make informed recommendations for your care, including how to fight age spots on legs. 

Recovery

It is incredibly easy to recover from a BBL Hero treatment. In fact, after about 24 hours you’ll be able to return to your normal routine. You’ll simply want to stay out of direct sunlight for those 24 hours until the redness on the treatment area has diminished, and wear sunscreen. To protect your investment, always use a daily SPF no matter what time of year it is. 

Moxi

How it works

The Moxi laser transforms your skin through gentle, non-ablative laser energy. While the BBL Hero is not a laser, the Moxi is. However, that doesn’t mean this treatment is less accessible than the BBL. In fact, the Moxi is a fan-favorite for those patients new to medical aesthetics.

This gentle age spot removal laser breaks down and peels away the top layers of damaged skin, showing the clear, unblemished layers underneath!

Since pigment damage typically lives on that upper layer of skin, this laser system breaks it down. When new, healthy cells emerge, there’s no more unwanted pigment!

Moxi works wonders for those with mild to severe signs of aging, including age spots. An ideal candidate is someone who is looking to correct and/or prevent further skin damage!

What it treats

A series of Moxi treatments can diminish the appearance of age spots on legs and other areas of the body, including:

• The face and neck
• Back
• Decolletage
• Arms 

This treatment also combats:

• Acne
• Acne scarring
• Uneven skin tone
• Dry or oily skin
• Dull, rough skin
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Sagging skin
• Cherry angiomas
• Unwanted freckles
• Rosacea

Results

Moxi is a fantastic way to rejuvenate your skin, and works wonders as a way to get rid of age spots on legs. After a series of Moxi treatments, you’ll notice a more even skin tone, as well as less unwanted pigmentation on the treatment area! 

We typically recommend 3 to 4 treatments spaced out about 3 to 4 weeks.. Patients report seeing results within 2 to 3 weeks of their final treatment, and results last for months to years. You’ll feel and look years younger when you use Moxi to treat age spots on legs!

Recovery

One of the major benefits of Moxi is that it requires absolutely no downtime!  You will notice small pepper-like freckles after your treatment for the next 3-5 days, but these will flake off with gentle cleansing and can be covered with sunscreen or makeup during the day. You are free to return to your normal routine immediately following your treatment. 

Commonly asked questions about age spots on the legs

Do age spots go away on their own?

Age spots, unless treated with special technology, do not fade. The hyperpigmentation becomes a permanent part of your skin until it is removed or lightened intentionally.

How can I tell if age spots are cancerous?

Age spots are not cancerous. However, dark pigmentation that resembles an age spot can be a sign of skin cancer. If you notice a new or changing spot with asymmetrical borders, or a spot that is growing rapidly, make an appointment to see your dermatologist immediately.

How can I prevent age spots in the first place?

Although there is no way to stop the aging process, there are some things you can do to prevent damage to the skin. The number one step in preventing age spots as well as other signs of aging due to UV exposure is to wear a daily SPF. Avoid direct exposure to sun through activities like tanning. 

Additionally, the use of medical-grade skincare products helps your skin retain moisture, elasticity, and strength, which keeps it looking and feeling clear and bright. 

Medical-grade skincare products differ from over the counter ones in that they are specially formulated to tackle specific skin conditions. Because they are clinically tested, they have a higher percentage of active ingredients, making them more effective at combating signs of aging like dark spots. 

Learn more about how to get rid of age spots on legs

At Southlake Plastic Surgery, we take great pride in creating individualized treatment plans for excellent results. Whether that be in cosmetic surgery, dermal fillers and Botox injections, or laser treatments to treat sun damage, you are always our top priority at SPS. 

To learn more about age spots on legs and how to treat them, book a consultation with one of highly qualified and compassionate team members. We’ll sit down with you to discuss your unique concerns and desired results, and we’ll make expert recommendations based around them. 

Or, if you’re not quite ready to come into the office, try our virtual consultation tool! Simply answer a few questions about your concerns and treatment area, and we’ll send you customized treatment advice straight to your inbox. 

No matter what you need, when you need it, Southlake Plastic Surgery has got your best interest in mind. We can’t wait to meet with you.