Age spots - what treatment am I thinking of? IPL?

[Monsterful]

I have seen videos of 'laser' treatments (IPL perhaps?) showing freckles and small sun spots darken then, over the course of a few days, rise to the surface of the skin and disappear. The areas treated look a little pink, but no real damage.

I had a consultation with a local clinic but the treatment process described was more aggressive. I was shown photos of what to expect with the immediate aftermath and it looked very similar to the photo on this link. The recovery period was around 2 weeks but there was a risk of lightened patches being left on the skin for up to 6 months: https://www.reddit.com/r/30PlusSkinCare/comments/1d5c10b/is_this_normal_after_laser_rejuvenation/ It seemed a bit overkill for what I am after.

Does a gentle method of sunspot removal exist and, if yes, what should I be asking for? Are my expectations unrealistic?

A bit of background info - I have always worn a daily spf and wear hats/avoid direct sun exposure. The spots seem to be hormonally linked, but are also noticeably aggravated by sun exposure. They are a lot worse on one side of my face. I use Dermatica and saw some improvement, then it tapered off and returned to normal when they had to remove one of the active ingredients. Apparently they can only prescribe this for 2 out of every 12 months.

I'll try and attach a photo of the worst area.

All I see is normal skin - there’s no ‘fault’ requiring aggressive intervention.

I had a dark spot on my face. I was recommended a vitamin C serum, so bought Garnier. It removed the dark spot in 2 weeks.

@MissPrismsMistake that's very kind. I do agree that aggressive intervention does not seem to be warranted. I look my age and I guess that's ok! However, if there's a possibility of being a less age-spotted version of my age then that would be nice...

@Jane958 I did try a load of over the counter stuff including a vitamin C serum (The Ordinary, possibly?) before moving to prescription skincare (Dermatica), but sadly didn't notice any change. I think the little buggers have settled there now!

Obagi was suggested. Perhaps that's also an option?

What is your Dermatica prescription?

Currently:
Tretinoin 0.05%
Azelaic acid 15%
Tranexamic acid 5% Lotion

They did originally prescribe hydroquinone, but only for the first couple of months. Original formulation:
Tretinoin 0.05%
Hydroquinone 4% cream

I thought it made a difference, but I just looked back at my pre and post treatment photos they look the same to me! Perhaps that's why they're reluctant to prescribe it again.

I had laser, though mainly on chest rather than face. As you say, the spots got darker and then went away. No dramatic downtime. It was called a photofacial. You have to have used no retinols and no sun on your face for quite a while before though so best to do in winter.

Wow, just looked at your link. My face in no way looked like that after a photofacial! The patches just got darker and my skin was maybe a little red. It was several sessions, they started off at a low power, then got slightly stronger as they went along.

Ipl, go to a reputable medical practitioner not a high street brand using ‘trained’ staff. You need a nurse or doctor to do it. Several sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, depending on skin. The sun damaged areas will darken and lift to the surface over a few days to a week(ish) - mine used to look like little tiny grains of dirt. Don’t try and rub them off or scrub your face, you have to let them lift naturally.
I look very slightly sunburned for a day afterwards but that is it.

I have sun damage from when I was younger that surfaces, it started around 20 years ago - but I grew up in a hot climate. I have had this done every few years although I’m not sure I’ll need to again. I use Tret currently but I’ve used some form of retinal for years and years. That certainly helps as well but it can only do so much.

I had it done, they used a machine from a company called Lynton. The treatment itself was called Illumifacial. My skin was a bit pinker for a few hours, then fine. Over a few days my sun damage spots got very dark, and after a week they started to feel rough. Over the next few days they gradually fell off every time I washed my face. That first pic you posted is scary. Go to a practitioner who works in a proper plastic surgery private clinic. Then they are under correct medical supervision, in that the surgeon usually owns the clinic, and will have oversight of all equipment and workers.

This is all very interesting - thank you!

So it sounds like the gentle treatment where they just flake off with no real skin damage is a whole-face treatment and not a targeted treatment on just the pigmented areas themselves? The clinic I went to does offer IPL 'skin rejuvenation' sessions but for some reason did not offer them to me as an option. The terrifying photos were actually slightly worse than the one I linked to - fewer patches but much larger - and I was told that I would leave the clinic looking like that. At which point I declined the patch test, apologised for wasting her time and left!

I am struggling to find a decent clinic within a 50-mile radius. The one I visited advertises itself as a medical clinic, but on closer inspection hardly any of the practitioners are medically qualified. Any recommendations in the East of England would be gratefully received...

@shipinfullsail did you have one treatment or a course? I see a clinic near me advertising a course of 3 for around £500. Did it improve the condition of your skin/improve lines overall as well as reduce the dark spots? If so, did the improvements last long.
Thank you.

I just went to book ipl for my sunspots and was told she wouldn’t use ipl on me and that I should book cryotherapy. I don’t know what to do now. It wasn’t a consultation, just a one min chat in reception (she came from out the back so I’m assuming she had a client she was working on) and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I was excited to go in and get something booked but she was keen to rush me out I think so I’m to book on line. Any advice?