FDA-cleared to market in 1995, dermatologists consider it a breakthrough in age-defying skin care. IPL treats skin damage non-invasively, with no disruption of the skin’s surface. These gentle treatments remove the effects of photoaging and sun damage with low risk and no recovery time.

Some people might still describe a smattering of freckles across a child's nose as "cute." Even in childhood, those brown spots are actually a sign of sun damage. As we age, freckles become more prominent and are often joined by noticeable age spots affecting many areas: the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. And at this stage no one thinks they're "cute" anymore.

Efforts to diminish the appearance of freckles go back centuries. Ancient Egyptians used oil of fenugreek to fade freckles and age spots. In more modern cultures, lemon juice was a favorite home remedy. All of that gave way to modern cosmetics and bleaching agents, none of which have been overly effective. More advanced techniques including freezing, chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing may get rid of freckles and age spots, but such treatments can be painful, and they may damage healthy skin or cause scarring.

New revolutionary light-based therapies are rapidly changing treatment options for those who want freckles and brown spots to fade into memory. These treatments utilize the power of Intense Pulsed Light^TM (IPL) to provide a gentle, non-invasive solution that provides gradual, natural improvement in the skin's appearance.

Continue to: What are Freckles?