At Laser and Skin Clinics in Worthing, Hove, and Brighton, we specialise in advanced laser treatment for ageing skin. This includes addressing tell-tale signs of ageing, such as age-spots and solar lentigines—brown marks on the face, chest, and back of the hands.
One of the most effective methods is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Laser Treatment, which selectively destroys pigment deep within the skin. Creams and topical treatments are much less effective as they cannot reach these deeper layers. IPL laser treatment for ageing skin permanently removes pigment and can be combined with conventional therapies like dermal fillers and Botox® injections for comprehensive skin rejuvenation.
These treatments improve skin tone and texture, lift and hydrate the skin, and even out pigmentation. They make the skin firmer and smoother while reducing lines and wrinkles. Laser treatment for ageing skin is effective on the face, neck, chest, and areas with sun exposure, like the backs of hands.
How does Intense Pulsed Light Work?
Intense Pulsed Light is a light produced by a flash-lamp in the spectrum of 515-1200nm. The light penetrates deeply into the skin and selectively destroys melanin pigment that is responsible for brown marks. It also produces Type I collagen synthesis that thickens the skin and helps improve fine lines and wrinkles. Stimulation of the blood supply also helps improve the feel and smoothness of the skin.
What are the side-effects of treatment?
Most patients experience some redness for up to 48 hours following treatment and swelling may also occur. The brown lentigines (sun-spots) will darken for 7-10-days before peeling off. Blistering and crusting of the skin may rarely develop. The risk of scarring is extremely small.
It is very important that patients do not have Laser Therapy within 4-weeks of a holiday involving sun-exposure. This is due to melanin pigment in the skin absorbing the laser light which causes a higher risk of side-effects. We are also more cautious with Laser Therapy in darker skinned individuals.
We advise using sun-blocks before, during and after treatment for a minimum of two weeks. A factor SPF 30 is usually adequate. Typically, 2-4 sessions are required. Darker brown lentigines respond best to treatment compared to light brown ones.
How much does treatment cost?
We charge per session and advise 2-4 sessions at 3-4 weekly intervals for maximum improvement. The treatment can be combined with other treatments including Botox® for wrinkle reduction on the face or Restylane Vital® on the back of the hands.
This treatment is often combined with other treatments available such as Botox™, Restylane™ or Jan Marini™ chemical peels.
What happens during consultation and treatment?
Prior to treatment, you will have a consultation with one of our practitioners to decide which treatment is going to be effective for your skin problem. They will discuss all aspects of the treatment. This ranges from how it works, how many sessions will be required and what the potential side effects are. Clear and expected treatment expectations will also be discussed. Following your consultation, you will have a patch test on the area to select the correct settings on the laser for your first treatment. This will also enable us to see how your skin reacts to the treatment. Following the patch test, you can start your treatment a few days later.
During treatment, you will lie on the couch with black out goggles on if having facial treatments. We use non-black out goggles if your hands are being treated. An intense burst of light is shone onto the skin. No anaesthetic is used. The process can be mildly uncomfortable but is very quick. No recovery time is needed, but the skin may look slightly red. Facial and Hand Skin Rejuvenation treatments are given in courses of 4–6 with a 2-3 week gap between each treatment. To maintain results, you will need to have top up treatments a few times a year. These will, of course, vary slightly depending on your skin.
Do different skin types affect the treatment process?
The most difficult skin to treat are patients with Fitzpatrick skin type I as these patients usually have a long history of sun exposure. This skin type is difficult to treat due to the connective tissue being so fragile that the IPL parameters selected may damage the skin. In these cases, low energy settings are used during early treatments until the supporting dermal connective tissue is strengthened and there has been a reduction in redness. Patients with this skin type usually require additional treatments in comparison with other skin types.
Another problematic skin type is the very dark skin type, particularly Afro-Caribbean, this is due to the high levels of melanin in the epidermis which absorbs light energy in competition with the melanin in the targeted area.
Darker Asian skin which occurs largely in regions of the world that has intense sunlight actually features a naturally high level of epidermal melanin and therefore treatment has to be modified to take this into account.
What pre-treatment precautions must I follow?
With any skin type, the patient must start the IPL treatment without any active suntan. Furthermore, the patient must be familiar with following a strict routine for at least two to four weeks. This includes using sunscreens and other skincare products recommended by their dermatologist.
If this advice is not followed, and good skincare practice is not adopted prior to treatment, the outcome of the treatment will be compromised and often short-lived.
Book your treatment today
Discover the transformative benefits of laser treatment for ageing skin, designed to deliver lasting improvements in tone, texture, and visible signs of ageing. Whether targeting age spots or rejuvenating your face and hands, this advanced therapy provides noticeable, enduring results—all provided by a trusted team of specialists.