Age Spot & Sun Spot Treatments | Victoria BC

IDENTIFY

Age Spots • Sun Spots • Brown Pigmentation
Understand what you're treating

TREAT

IPL Photorejuvenation
Target appropriate sun-related pigmentation

TREAT

Clarity • Tone • Evenness
Reveal a clearer, more even-looking complexion

Brown spots are common. But not every brown spot is the same.

Age spots and sun spots are among the most common pigmentation concerns we see at Glow Luxe.

They often appear gradually—as scattered brown spots across the cheeks, temples, forehead, hands or décolleté—and become more noticeable after years of accumulated sun exposure.

For appropriate superficial sun-related pigmentation, IPL Photorejuvenation can be an effective treatment option.

But successful treatment starts with something more important than choosing a device:

Understanding what you're actually treating.

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Are they age spots, sun spots—or something else?

The terms age spots, sun spots and liver spots are commonly used to describe flat areas of brown pigmentation that develop on sun-exposed skin.

Despite the name, “age spots” aren't simply caused by age. Cumulative UV exposure plays an important role, which is why they frequently appear on the face, hands, chest and other areas that have received years of sun exposure.

But not every patch of pigmentation has the same cause.

Freckles, solar lentigines, post-inflammatory pigmentation and melasma can all create brown areas on the skin—and they don't necessarily require the same approach.

The important point before treatment is simple:

Identify the pigmentation first. Treat it second.

How do we treat age spots and sun spots?

For appropriate superficial pigmentation caused by accumulated sun exposure, our primary in-clinic treatment is IPL Photorejuvenation.

IPL uses controlled pulses of light that are absorbed by pigment within the targeted area. Following treatment, appropriate brown spots commonly become temporarily darker before gradually fading or flaking away as the skin renews itself.

IPL may be appropriate for:

Age spots and sun spots
Freckles
Uneven superficial pigmentation
Accumulated sun damage
Mottled skin tone
Facial redness
Small visible capillaries

That ability to address both brown and red discolouration can be particularly useful when years of sun exposure have left the complexion looking generally uneven rather than creating one isolated spot.

Want a deeper look at the available options? Read Best Treatments for Brown Spots & Pigmentation in Victoria BC.

Or go directly to our IPL Photorejuvenation treatment page →

Not every brown spot should be treated

One of the things that surprises first-time IPL clients is that pigmentation can initially look more noticeable.

That's often expected.

Appropriately targeted brown spots commonly darken during the days following treatment. Some develop a speckled or coffee-ground-like appearance before gradually fading or flaking away over approximately the following one to two weeks.

Some pigmentation may respond noticeably after one treatment, while more extensive sun damage commonly benefits from a series.

How much improvement is possible depends on the type and depth of pigmentation, treatment area, skin characteristics and your individual response.

And while IPL can improve the visible effects of previous UV exposure, it can't prevent future sun damage.

If you've accumulated years of pigmentation and are wondering how much can realistically be improved, we've written a more detailed guide: Can Years of Sun Damage Be Treated?.

Learn more about IPL for sun damage and pigmentation →

Clearer skin doesn't end with treating the spots

Once visible pigmentation has improved, protecting that result matters.

Daily broad-spectrum sun protection helps reduce additional UV exposure and the development of new pigmentation. Depending on your skin, appropriate home care may also help support a clearer, more even-looking complexion.

And sometimes brown spots are only one part of what you're noticing.

You may also be seeing redness, fine lines, changes in texture or a gradual loss of firmness. Those concerns don't necessarily respond to the same treatment.

If that's you, our Skin Rejuvenation & Aging Skin Treatments in Victoria BC guide explains how we approach tone, tightening and texture differently—and when combining treatments may make more sense.

Not sure if your brown spots can be treated?

You don't need to diagnose them yourself.

At Glow Luxe, we can help determine whether what you're seeing appears appropriate for cosmetic treatment and whether IPL makes sense for your skin.

If something should be medically assessed instead, we'll tell you.

Explore IPL Photorejuvenation at Glow Luxe →

Frequently asked questions

The terms are commonly used interchangeably. Many of the flat brown marks people call age spots are associated with cumulative ultraviolet exposure, which is why “sun spots” can often be a more useful description.

It depends on what is causing the pigmentation. For appropriate superficial sun-related brown spots, IPL photorejuvenation can be an effective option. Pigmentation should be assessed before treatment because not every brown spot is appropriate for IPL.

They can. Appropriately targeted pigmentation commonly becomes temporarily darker following IPL before gradually fading or flaking away. This is an expected treatment response for many superficial brown spots.

It varies. The amount and depth of pigmentation, treatment area, skin characteristics and individual response all influence the number of treatments required. More extensive photodamage commonly benefits from a treatment series.

Treated pigmentation can improve significantly, but IPL cannot prevent future UV exposure from contributing to new pigmentation. Consistent sun protection is an important part of maintaining clearer, more even-looking skin.