Chiswick Clinic lasers can remove selected superficial sun spots and age spots safely and effectively when the diagnosis is correct and the mark is suitable for laser. We start with a doctor-led consultation to confirm the lesion is benign and to assess your skin type and pigment risk. Treatment is then delivered by a doctor or an experienced laser therapist under medical supervision. Results are typically improvement rather than perfection, and future spots are prevented by consistent sun protection.
Medically reviewed by Dr Bela (2026).
“Sun spots” and “age spots” are everyday names for flat brown marks that often appear after years of sun exposure. You may also hear them called liver spots or “age marks on face” in online searches. Clinically, many of these lesions are solar lentigines (the plural of lentigo) — clusters of excess melanin that develop in the upper layers of skin after cumulative ultraviolet exposure.
A few important points that protect patients:
If you are unsure what a mark is, do not self-diagnose from age spots pictures online. The right first step is a consultation.
Laser spot removal works by delivering controlled energy into a specific target within the skin. For sun spots and age spots, that target is excess melanin (skin pigment) concentrated in a localised area.
In simple terms:
This is why “how to remove age spots naturally” and “baking soda age spots” can be misleading. Home remedies may irritate skin and trigger post-inflammatory change, especially in sensitive skin types.
At Chiswick Clinic we may use different laser approaches depending on the lesion and the area treated. We keep the explanation patient-friendly, but the clinical principle is always the same: treat the right target, at the right depth, with the lowest avoidable risk.
Search phrases like “how to remove age spots naturally overnight” are common, but they set unrealistic expectations. Even with laser, the skin needs time to clear the treated pigment. A good outcome is a calm healing response, not aggressive overtreatment.
Sun spots and age spots commonly appear on areas of skin that are exposed to the sun over many years:
Treating the face is often straightforward when the spots are flat and superficial. Hands and chest can take longer to settle, and the treatment plan may be more cautious to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation.
Most patients considering age spot removal want two things: reassurance it is safe, and a realistic idea of results.
You may be a good candidate if:
A consultation is essential because it tells us what the lesion is and whether treatment is appropriate.
We will pause, delay or advise against laser treatment if:
This is not about being difficult. It is about avoiding preventable harm.
Sun spots and age spots are often benign, but that does not mean they should be treated casually. Safety starts with diagnosis and sensible clinical decision-making.
Treatment may include:
Your consultation is delivered by one of our medical experts. Your treatment can then be carried out either by the same clinician or by one of our experienced laser therapists, depending on your needs and the treatment plan. This means decisions are made clinically, not commercially.
Chiswick Clinic is CQC registered, which means we’re inspected against national standards for safety, governance and patient care — so you’re being treated in a regulated medical environment, not an unregulated beauty setting.
Your consultation is doctor-led. We assess the lesion, confirm suitability, and plan treatment. If there is any doubt about diagnosis, laser is not used as camouflage.
We use medical-grade lasers with appropriate servicing and calibration. The goal is controlled improvement without causing damage to surrounding skin.
Appropriate insurance arrangements are in place for medical and laser practice, which means you are covered if something unexpected happens — and it is a marker of professional, accountable clinical care rather than informal, unregulated treatment.
Patch testing may be advised at the consultation depending on skin type, recent sun exposure, medical history, and prior reactions to treatments.
Good preparation and aftercare reduce the risk of unwanted pigment response and help you heal smoothly. We will give written instructions, and we will tell you exactly what to stop and when.
If you continue sun exposure over many years without protection, new spots are likely to develop. Protecting your result means:
Pricing depends on whether we are treating a single lesion, a cluster, or a larger area.
We will confirm your exact plan and pricing after consultation.
Often, yes. “Liver spots” is a common nickname for age spots. Clinically, many are solar lentigines caused by sun exposure over time. A consultation confirms what the mark is.
It can be safe and effective in suitable patients when the lesion is benign and the plan is tailored to your skin. We start with consultation, use conservative settings, and give clear aftercare to reduce risk.
The treated area may look red and the spot often darkens. It can form a small crust before it sheds over several days. This is expected. Avoid picking or scrubbing.
Some patients see improvement after one treatment, but others need a short course. Spots vary in size, depth and location, and that affects how quickly they clear.
No treatment is truly “no downtime”. Even when downtime is minimal, the skin needs time to clear the treated pigment. We will be honest about what to expect so you can plan.
Topical options can help in some cases, and prescription treatments may be appropriate for certain pigment patterns. We can advise on the safest plan for your skin during consultation.
