 
Brown spots on your face, chest or hands can look like ordinary signs of sun and time. Most are harmless, but not every dark or rough spot is the same. Some are actinic keratoses, which are precancerous and need medical care.
Knowing the difference between age spots vs actinic keratosis is important before you book IPL for age spots. At PURE Medical Spa, we want IPL to focus on spots that are truly cosmetic, so a skin check comes first whenever a spot looks unusual.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Age spots (solar lentigines) are flat, smooth and harmless.
- ✓Actinic keratosis is often rough, dry or scaly, and it can be precancerous.
- ✓IPL treats confirmed benign pigment; it cannot diagnose a spot.
- ✓Have any changing, bleeding or rough spot checked by a dermatologist first.
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What Is the Difference Between Age Spots and Actinic Keratosis?
Age spots, also called solar lentigines or sun spots, are harmless brown patches caused by years of sun exposure. They are usually flat and smooth, with an even color.
Actinic keratosis is a skin condition caused by ultraviolet damage. It often looks like a rough, dry or scaly patch that can be pink, red, skin colored or brown. Some actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, which is why they need medical attention.
Age Spots vs Actinic Keratosis: Warning Signs
Age spots usually feel smooth, while actinic keratosis often feels rough, like sandpaper. Watch for:
- ✓Rough or scaly patches
- ✓Crusting or bleeding that keeps coming back
- ✓Changes in color, size or shape
- ✓Tender or irritated spots
- ✓Spots that heal and then return
A board certified dermatologist can examine any suspicious spot and decide whether further testing is needed. See the signs of sun damage on your face for more to watch for.
| Feature | Age Spot | Actinic Keratosis |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Flat and smooth | Rough, dry or scaly |
| Color | Even tan to brown | Pink, red, skin colored or brown |
| Risk | Harmless | Can be precancerous |
| Next step | Cosmetic care, such as IPL | Medical diagnosis and treatment |
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Why Is a Skin Check Important Before IPL?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses broad spectrum light to target pigment and small blood vessels. It is a cosmetic treatment and cannot diagnose a spot or replace a medical skin exam.
Treating a spot that has not been checked could lighten it temporarily and delay an important diagnosis. Before booking an IPL photofacial in Chicago, have unusual or changing spots examined by a dermatologist.
Can IPL Help Remove Age Spots?
IPL can improve confirmed benign brown spots and redness. Potential benefits include:
- ✓Fewer visible sun spots
- ✓A more even skin tone
- ✓Less visible redness and some broken capillaries
- ✓Brighter looking skin
- ✓Little downtime for many people
Results depend on the device, settings and your skin, and most people need a series of sessions. Read what to expect from IPL for sunspots for a closer look.
What IPL Does Not Treat Well
IPL is not a primary treatment for acne scars or deep texture. Options such as microneedling or a chemical peel may suit those concerns better.
What Happens During an IPL Photofacial?
Your provider first reviews your skin and medical history to confirm IPL is suitable. A cooling gel may be applied, and you wear protective eyewear. The device then delivers controlled pulses of light across the treatment area.
After Your Session
Mild redness is common, and brown spots often darken before they flake away over one to two weeks. Use gentle skincare and daily sunscreen. If you plan to wear makeup soon after, read makeup after IPL photofacial.
Can IPL Treat Both Age Spots and Actinic Keratosis?
IPL can improve confirmed age spots, but suspected actinic keratosis should not receive routine cosmetic IPL. A dermatologist may recommend cryotherapy, prescription creams or photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis. These medical treatments are different from a cosmetic IPL photofacial.
Comparing pigment options? See VI Peel vs IPL for pigmentation and IPL vs chemical peel for dark spots.
IPL Photofacial at PURE Medical Spa in Chicago
At PURE Medical Spa, IPL planning considers your skin type, past treatments and goals, and we will ask you to see a dermatologist first if any spot looks suspicious. For brown spots that are confirmed harmless, IPL or a VI Peel can help even out tone. Learn more about sun damaged skin care, and support results at home with a brightening serum such as Skinbetter Even Skin Tone Correcting Serum.
IPL photofacial cost depends on the area, the device and the number of sessions, and your consultation covers pricing. Book online or call or text 312.312.7873.
Visit PURE Medical Spa Across Chicagoland
PURE Medical Spa welcomes you at five convenient clinics in Chicago and the suburbs. Every PURE clinic offers IPL photofacial treatments, so you can pick the location and visit time that fit your schedule.
PURE Medical Spa Gold Coast (N. Dearborn), Chicago
875 N Dearborn St, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60610
Book OnlineCall or Text 312.312.7873Naperville 331.283.0440
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell the difference between age spots and actinic keratosis?
Age spots are usually flat and smooth, while actinic keratosis often feels rough or scaly. Only a medical exam can reliably identify a suspicious spot.
Can IPL treat age spots and actinic keratosis?
IPL can improve confirmed benign age spots. Actinic keratosis needs medical assessment and treatment rather than routine cosmetic IPL.
Should you get a skin check before IPL photofacial treatment?
Yes, especially if you have spots that are changing, bleeding, rough or unusual. A skin check finds spots that need medical care first.
Can actinic keratosis look like a harmless age spot?
Yes. Some actinic keratoses are brown and can look like ordinary sun spots, which is why rough or changing spots deserve a check.
Is IPL safe for brown spots that could be precancerous?
Do not treat a suspicious spot with IPL until a dermatologist has examined it, because cosmetic treatment could delay a diagnosis.
BOOK YOUR VISIT
Clearer, More Even Tone
Book an IPL photofacial consultation at PURE Medical Spa.
Safety note: IPL may not suit people with suspicious spots, active infections, a recent tan or certain light sensitive conditions. Possible side effects include redness, swelling, burns and pigment changes. Use broad spectrum sunscreen and follow aftercare. See a doctor for any spot that bleeds, grows, changes or does not heal. This article is educational and does not replace a medical assessment.
References
- MedlinePlus: Skin cancer, including actinic keratosis
- National Cancer Institute: Skin cancer treatment
- PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine): Studies on intense pulsed light for solar lentigines
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