Sun Spots

Yes, “age spot” is just another name for sun spot. But the term is misleading. These spots aren’t caused by aging, they’re caused by sun damage. People in their 20s and 30s get them too, especially with a history of sunburns or tanning bed use. If you’re seeing them early, it’s not premature aging, it’s accumulated UV exposure showing up now.

Surface-level pigmentation, like mild tanning, can fade over months with strict sun protection. But true sun spots are embedded deeper in the skin and won’t resolve on their own. Without treatment, they usually persist or darken over time.

Some damage is permanent, like broken capillaries or collagen loss, but your skin can still improve dramatically with care. Treating sun spots doesn’t erase history, but it resets your starting point. Combined with daily SPF and smart habits, most people achieve significantly clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Temporarily, yes. Any pigment-targeting treatment causes mild inflammation. After Lumecca IPL, skin may appear slightly red or feel warm for a day or two. Pigmented spots often darken before they flake off, this is part of the process. We provide clear aftercare guidance to minimize irritation and protect healing skin.

Yes, but it requires expertise. Deeper skin tones are more prone to pigment shifts (either hyper- or hypopigmentation) if treated incorrectly. That’s why device settings, cooling, and provider experience matter. At Reforme Lab, we customize Lumecca IPL protocols based on your Fitzpatrick type.

Because UV exposure continues. Even small amounts of unprotected sun trigger new melanin production. Without consistent SPF and protective habits, recurrence is common. Maintenance sessions and daily defense are key to lasting results.

Sun spots and freckles both show up as brown or tan marks on the skin, but they’re different in cause, appearance, and behaviour.

Freckles are small, flat, and usually appear in childhood. They’re genetic, triggered by sun exposure but linked to your DNA. They tend to come and go with the seasons, fading in winter and reappearing in summer. Freckles are evenly colored, scattered, and most common in fair-skinned people.

Sun spots (also called solar lentigines) are a sign of cumulative sun damage. They develop later in life, usually after years of UV exposure, and don’t fade. They’re larger than freckles, with sharper edges, and appear on areas that get the most sun: face, hands, shoulders, chest. Unlike freckles, sun spots stay visible year-round and darken over time without protection.