Dr. Fix offers precise cosmetic treatment for sun spots and age spots (solar lentigines) on the face, hands, and body.

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What are Age Spots?

Age spots, sun spots, and liver spots are common names for solar lentigines — flat brown spots that develop after years of sun exposure.

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They most commonly appear on areas that receive the most sun, including the face, hands, arms, shoulders, and chest. Unlike freckles, solar lentigines usually remain visible throughout the year.

Solar lentigines are benign and do not require treatment. However, many people choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons to create a clearer, more even skin tone.​​​​

 

How does Dr. Fix treat sun spots?

Dr. Erin Fix uses the CryoProbe, a precision cryotherapy device that delivers a small, focused stream of nitrous oxide to the treatment area. The targeted tissue is briefly frozen without cutting or stitches, making CryoProbe treatment well suited for many individual benign sun spots. Treatment itself is quick, though depends on how many spots you want treated. The spot will typically darken or form a light crust as the treated skin heals and gradually clears over 2-6 weeks. In general spots respond well to a single treatment, although some may require a second treatment depending on their size, depth, location, and your skin's response.

 

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What should I expect after treatment?

Immediately after treatment, the area will become red and slightly swollen. The treated spot often becomes darker for the first 1-2 weeks before forming a superficial crust or flake as it heals. From 2-6 weeks, the pigment rises to the surface and slowly flakes off revealing normal skin underneath. As with any procedure that treats pigmented skin, temporary changes in pigmentation are possible. Most commonly the treated skin may be temporarily lighter than the surrounding untreated skin. Your skin type, treatment location, and individual lesion will be evaluated before treatment. Sun protection is especially important after treatment and helps reduce the development of additional sun spots or repigmentation. 

 

Is every brown spot an age spot?

No. Moles, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses, and some skin cancers can resemble an age spot.

Dr. Fix evaluates each lesion before cosmetic treatment to determine whether it appears appropriate for removal. A spot with concerning or uncertain features may need additional evaluation or biopsy rather than cosmetic treatment. If a brown spot is changing rapidly, bleeding without explanation, developing multiple colors, or otherwise looks unusual, an appropriate referral will be recommended. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are age spots the same as freckles?

A: Not exactly. Freckles often become darker with sun exposure and fade during the winter. Solar lentigines tend to persist year-round and become more common with cumulative sun exposure.

 

Q: Does age spot removal hurt?

A: Cryotherapy can cause a brief cold, stinging, or burning sensation. Treatment is typically very quick, and discomfort varies from person to person.

 

Q: Can an age spot come back?

A: A treated spot may occasionally require a second treatment. Continued sun exposure can also cause new solar lentigines to develop nearby, which is why regular sun protection is important.

 

Q: Where can age spots be treated?

A: Solar lentigines commonly occur on the face, hands, arms, shoulders, chest, and other sun-exposed areas. In general age spots can be treated on any location. 

 

Ready to Treat Your Sun Spots?

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If age spots or sun spots are making your skin look more uneven than you would like, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Erin Fix to find out whether CryoProbe treatment is a good option for you.

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