Lighten age spots
Can my age spots vanish?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) skin rejuvenation aims to remove sun damage, freckles and dark spots. The laser targets the darker pigmentation in the skin, causing it to raise to the surface, form a scab, and fall off.
What the treatment promises: A clearer, better tone to the skin, with a more youthful look.
The treatment: Dr Brighton pointed out that the IPL laser would remove ALL my freckles in any area that was to be treated.
I had a patch test near my armpit to check for reactions and was told to come back a week later, for the first of three sessions at monthly intervals.
Is there pain? Medium – it feels like elastic bands being “pinged” against your skin – you can’t help but jump and your tolerance wears out after about 20 to 25 minutes. However, treatments rarely last longer than half an hour.
Verdict: The test patch responded remarkably well, with all freckles and several age spots lightening substantially, and some even disappearing before the week was out.
Sadly, I made the mistake of using a fake tan cream prior to the next session, and I’m having to hold off treatment for three weeks, until it’s faded.
The laser “sees” darkened skin as skin to be lightened, which would result in skin that was too light. However, a girlfriend of mine was having the treatment at the same time, and her results were nothing short of fabulous.
Cost: Treatment price varies from about £200 to £250 per session.
Where to go: Court House Clinic, 30b Wimpole Street, London W1G 8YB. 0845-5555050, but most skin clinics have IPL treatments on offer. All prices correct at the time of publication.
