Grandfather regains confidence after laser treatment for facial spots

A grandfather in Taoyuan, Taiwan, experienced deep sadness after his grandson refused to hug him, mistaking the dark spots on his face for dirt. The child's innocent remark, "Grandpa's face is dirty, I don't want a hug," left the elderly man feeling hurt and rejected. Seeking to regain his confidence and the ability to interact closely with his grandchild, he decided to consult the medical aesthetics department at Lishin International Hospital.

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Grandpa's face is dirty, I don't want a hug.

Dr. Hsu Shih-tsung, director of the medical aesthetics department at Lishin International Hospital, explained that age spots (seborrheic keratosis) and sunspots are common with aging. Age spots are characterized by thickened, raised, and oily surfaces, sometimes mistaken for warts, growing "upward." Sunspots, caused by UV exposure, are flat with distinct borders, appearing to grow "downward." Often, these conditions overlap, with some sunspots potentially developing into raised age spots.

To address the grandfather's condition, Dr. Hsu employed a combination laser therapy. Initially, an Er:YAG laser was used to vaporize the thickened tissue of the age spots. Subsequently, a 755nm Alexandrite picosecond laser was applied in a spot mode to treat the remaining pigmented areas of the age spots and the sunspots. The picosecond laser, with a pulse width 7 to 9 times shorter than traditional lasers, causes less thermal damage. Its 755nm wavelength penetrates deeply and is highly absorbed by melanin, acting like a "precision missile" to shatter pigment particles while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. This significantly improves spot clearance rates and reduces the likelihood of pigmentation. The entire procedure took about 30 minutes, addressing both the keratotic and pigmented lesions in a single session.

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Age spots and sunspots are common spots that appear with age. Age spots, scientifically known as seborrheic keratosis, may be related to genetics or sun exposure. Their characteristics include thickened, raised, and oily surfaces, often mistaken for warts, and are considered 'upward-growing' spots. Sunspots, on the other hand, are formed by ultraviolet stimulation of melanocytes, resulting in flat spots with clear boundaries, considered 'downward-growing' spots. Age spots and sunspots can overlap, and some sunspots, when stimulated, may develop into raised age spots.

Dr. Hsu emphasized that laser treatment is just the beginning; proper aftercare is crucial for optimal results and minimizing the risk of hyperpigmentation. Key post-treatment care includes intermittent ice application for 3-5 hours post-procedure until redness and heat subside, gentle cleansing with saline solution during the inflammatory phase (2-3 days), avoiding picking at scabs during the crusting phase (1-2 weeks), and strict sun protection during the redness phase (2 weeks after scabs fall off). He advised against using active ingredients like acids, anti-aging, or whitening products immediately after treatment, recommending a focus on basic cleansing, hydration, and sun protection to promote skin repair and health.

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Laser treatment is just the beginning; aftercare is the completion.