Now that summer is over, you may have noticed some new dark spots of hyperpigmentation, or areas of extra melanin, across your skin. These marks usually crop up on your face or body and may look similar to a freckle or mole.
These marks are called sunspots and are caused by an overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays without proper protection. Though they aren’t signs of cancer or skin disease, sunspots can leave you feeling less confident in your own skin.
Morpheus8 in Westlake, OH, combines traditional microneedling with radio frequency energy to target and rejuvenate the deepest layers of the skin. While Morpheus8 treats sunspots, it also targets enlarged pores, fine lines, acne scarring, texture and tone concerns.
Think Morpheus8 might be the key to getting rid of your sunspots? During the month of September, come celebrate our first birthday with us by booking your Morpheus8 appointment now!
What are sunspots?
Sunspots are a common condition where small, dark patches of pigmentation form on the skin.
Otherwise known as age spots or liver spots, these marks form after overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. That overexposure results in photoaging, which is when the sun prematurely damages and ages the skin.
Excessive UV exposure speeds up the body’s production of melanin, or the natural pigment that gives the skin its color. When there is a disruption in melanin production from too much sun exposure, pigmentation cells clump into dark patches on the skin.
Sunspots typically form as brown or tan marks that resemble moles, but can also appear as black, gray, red, or pink. These marks can vary in measurement, but usually range from freckle-sized to about .5 inches across.
People of all races or ethnicities can develop sunspots, but individuals with lighter skin are at a higher risk. They are also more commonly found in adults over 50, but are not completely unheard of for younger individuals.
When are sunspots more serious?
Though they might look like suspicious, cancerous growths, true sunspots do not require medical attention.
However, you can still visit the dermatologist and double-check that your marks are benign. It’s always better to be safe than sorry by ensuring that medical treatment isn’t necessary.
Please seek medical care if you notice your areas of hyperpigmentation are:
- Uneven in color or border
- Changing in shape, size, or color
- Itchy
- Painful
- Bleeding
What is Morpheus8?
Morpheus8 in WestLake, OH, is a non-surgical, customizable skin treatment that can rejuvenate various parts of the face and body.
This treatment combines traditional microneedling with radio frequency, penetrating your skin at the deepest level and improving it over time.
A Two-for-One Deal
Through radio frequency (RF) energy, Morpheus8 heats the deepest layers of the skin and stimulates your body’s natural healing response. This boosts production of collagen and elastin, proteins which keep your skin looking youthful and radiant.
Through microneedling, Morpheus8 stimulates an even stronger healing response by creating small, pin-like channels in the skin.
These holes penetrate as deep as 4mm for the face and neck and 7mm on the body, allowing RF energy to push into deeper parts of the skin for lasting results.
What else does Morpheus8 treat?
Along with sunspots, Morpheus8 in Westlake, OH, commonly treats…
- Uneven skin texture and tone
- Acne and acne scarring
- Skin laxity
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Stretch marks
- Body and facial scars
- Skin dullness
- Enlarged pores
The Treatment Process
At The Well Westlake, we carefully plan every detail of your Morpheus8 treatment to ensure ultimate comfort and long-lasting results.
Personal Consultation
Before diving into Morpheus8 in Westlake, OH, you’ll first schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our licensed medical experts.
During your consultation, you and your provider will discuss the areas you would like to address with Morpheus8 and develop the best treatment plan for you.
Use this time to share health concerns, medications you’re taking, or topicals you’re using with your provider.
We will also evaluate your skin type and any pigmentation areas to ensure Morpheus8 can address them.
Preparation
Before your Morpheus8 appointment, we recommend you reschedule any strenuous skincare treatments like waxing or laser hair removal. We recommend you arrive at your appointment with cleansed skin and no makeup.
It is also essential that you avoid additional extreme sun exposure.
As always, drink plenty of water before and after your treatment. Staying hydrated will speed up the healing process and help you see your results sooner.
Treatment
At your appointment, your provider will first clean the treatment area and apply the topical numbing anesthetic.
When the treatment begins, you may feel a slight prickling sensation as the microneedles pass over your skin. Morpheus8 in Westlake, OH, is not painful because the topical anesthetic dulls sensitivity.
You can typically expect your appointment to last about 90 minutes, but this will vary depending on the treatment area.
Recovery
In the days following your Morpheus8 treatment, you may experience mild redness, swelling and warmth very similar to a sunburn.
Do not apply ice or a cold compress to the treatment area as it can hinder the natural inflammatory process. Your skin may form a crust and peel as the healing process progresses.
Avoid makeup or personal skin care treatments for the first 48 hours after your appointment. Also, avoid all sun exposure in the week following your treatment as your skin will be highly sensitive during the healing process.
What sets Morpheus8 at The Well Westlake apart?
At The Well Westlake, we pair our Morpheus8 treatments with a Pearl laser skin resurfacing to help you achieve even better results. The Pearl laser procedure renews your skin’s outermost layer, allowing Morpheus8 treatment to penetrate deeper.
Ask your provider for details about how to combine these treatments effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Morpheus8
How many treatments do I need to see results from Morpheus8?
You’ll typically see full results from Morpheus8 about 3 months after your appointment, as its effectiveness unfolds gradually. These results can last anywhere between 1-3 years post-treatment.
The downtime between appointments depends on the location and intensity of each individual treatment.
Can Morpheus8 treat younger skin?
Yes, it can! While clients under 30 still produce lots of collagen on their own, Morpheus8 can treat acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.
We recommend setting up a consultation to learn whether Morpheus8 fits your wellness and aesthetic goals.
Who is not a good candidate for Morpheus8?
We do not recommend Morpheus8 in Westlake, OH, to those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. We also cannot perform Morpheus8 treatments on patients with an active infection or acne breakout in the treatment area.
Be sure to discuss your medical history with your provider during your consultation, as other conditions may complicate Morpheus8.
What other treatments can reduce and eliminate sunspots?
While Morpheus8 does a great job eliminating sunspots, its main focus is on textural improvements. Morpheus8 works best when combined with these other following treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light (IPL) near Cleveland is a treatment that uses specific wavelengths of high-intensity light to target pigmentation. Also known as a photofacial, IPL heats your skin and causes your body to purge unwanted cells.
Much like Morpheus8, IPL eliminates sunspots and evens out skin tone by boosting collagen production. IPL interacts more gently with the skin than traditional lasers or treatments like skin tightening in Westlake, OH.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peel treatments involve applying a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate its top layer. This chemical solution creates a controlled injury and forces the body to peel away the epidermis.
Chemical peels also increase collagen production, leading to a smoother finish once the skin grows back.
The results from a chemical peel are usually more subtle than Morpheus8 or IPL treatments, but these results become more noticeable as you receive additional chemical peel treatments.
SkinCeuticals Products
You can work towards your skincare goals at home by using our line of SkinCeuticals retinol and vitamin C treatments.
We have a variety of skincare products that you can use to reduce sunspots, including but not limited to:
- Phloretin CF – daytime vitamin C serum
- Phyto Corrective Mask – calming, hydrating mask
- Retinol .05 – concentrated retinol cream
- Retinol 1.0 – high-concentration pure retinol cream
- SPF 30 Daily Brightening UV Defense – dual action daily hydrating sunscreen
- SPF 50 Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen – tinted SPF 50 sunscreen with 100% mineral filters
General Sun Protection
As always, you can follow general sun protection guidelines to avoid sunspots before they form.
We recommend limiting sun exposure between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun’s rays are at their harshest. When you do have to be outside during these hours, wear long, lightweight clothing items to cover your skin.
It’s also essential that you apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater a minimum of 15 minutes before going outside. For maximum protection, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours—or even more often if you are swimming or sweating.
Book your Morpheus8 Appointment Now
At The Well Westlake, we are passionate about providing our patients with a holistic, inside-out approach to health. We’re here to address all of your health and aesthetic concerns and be a guiding hand for your wellness journey.
Think Morpheus in Westlake, OH, is right for you? Book your appointment to clear up those sunspots and achieve your dream skin today.
