Few skincare concerns are as effective at artificially aging you as sun spots and pigmentation issues. At Augusta Aesthetics, we understand from personal experience how frustrating skin discoloration can be for patients of all skin types and tones, which is why we offer advanced laser treatment platforms that fade pigmentation to reveal clearer, brighter skin underneath.
Whether you’re up against years of sun exposure or a recent change in skin tone, our team will work through each appropriate treatment option with you to provide a personalized and result-driven treatment plan.
Understanding Pigmentation: What Causes Dark Spots?
Pigmentation issues, often referred to as “hyperpigmentation,” develop when your skin produces too much melanin in a concentrated area. Several factors can increase your risk of developing hyperpigmentation, including:
Sun Exposure: Ultraviolet rays trigger melanin production, which is part of your skin's natural defense mechanism against the sun. Over time, this leads to sun damage that appears as dark spots, freckles, and patches of discoloration. Commonly affected areas include the face, hands, chest, and arms.
Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy, birth control, and hormone fluctuations can trigger melasma, a specific type of pigmentation that typically appears on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip.
Aging: As we get older, years of sun exposure catch up with us. Age spots (also called liver spots or solar lentigines) commonly appear after age 40, though they can develop earlier depending on your sun exposure history.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Acne, injuries, or inflammation can leave behind dark marks long after the initial concern has healed. These spots can be particularly stubborn and may darken with sun exposure.
Sun Spots vs. Melasma: What's the Difference?
While both sun spot removal and melasma treatment target skin discoloration, understanding the difference allows us to formulate the most effective approach for you.
Sun spots appear as small, flat brown or tan patches with defined edges. They develop gradually over years of UV exposure and are most common on sun-exposed areas. These spots tend to respond very well to laser treatments like MOXI and BBL Hero.
Melasma presents as larger, darker patches with irregular borders. This issue is driven more by hormonal changes than sun damage alone, though UV exposure can still worsen melasma. This concern requires a more comprehensive approach that combines laser treatments with medical-grade skincare and sun protection.
Why Sunscreen Is Your First Line of Defense
Daily sunscreen application is the single most important step you can take to protect your pigmentation treatment results.
UV rays don't just cause new dark spots, but can also darken existing pigmentation and can reverse the improvements you achieve through laser treatments. This is why we recommend using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every single day, even when it's cloudy or you're spending most of your time indoors. Windows allow UV rays through, which means your skin is still at risk during your daily commute or while sitting by a window at work.
Our patients love the Sunbetter TONE SMART SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact, featuring 100% mineral actives for broad-spectrum protection. You can find this sunscreen product and others in the Skinbetter Science store.
Advanced Laser Solutions for Pigmentation
Our team of expert providers at Augusta Aesthetics proudly offers two cutting-edge laser technologies from Sciton that target pigmentation at different levels of your skin: MOXI and BBL Hero. Many of our patients achieve their best results with a combined approach.
MOXI Laser for Dark Spot Removal
MOXI is a gentle, non-ablative fractional laser that works beneath your skin's surface to improve texture, reduce pigmentation, and stimulate collagen production. Because MOXI works with your skin's water content, it's suitable for all skin types and offers a more comfortable treatment experience than traditional resurfacing lasers.
This skin discoloration treatment is particularly effective for anti-aging preventive use, and has even been FDA-cleared for treating actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin condition related to sun damage.
Most patients describe a warm, tingling feeling as the laser creates tiny treatment zones in your skin that trigger your body’s healing responses. MOXI is ideal for use on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms and legs.
BBL Treatments for Sun Damage
BBL Hero uses BroadBand Light technology to target pigmentation at both the surface level and deep within your skin. The Forever Young BBL setting specifically addresses sun damage, age spots, freckles, and melasma while promoting a more even, youthful-looking complexion.
During treatment, pulses of light energy penetrate your skin and are absorbed by pigmented cells. These cells gradually darken over the following days before flaking away, revealing clearer skin underneath. The advanced cooling technology keeps you comfortable throughout the 30-45 minute session.
Most patients are able to return immediately to their regular activities after BBL treatment. No extensive recovery period is required, making this an ideal option for busy schedules.
The Power of a Combined Approach
When paired with each other, MOXI and BBL Hero allow us to address pigmentation issues at multiple depths, giving you an even more comprehensive rejuvenation within one visit. Our Laser Lux Membership makes it easy to take advantage of this combination with same-day BBL and MOXI combo upgrades available at all membership tiers!
What to Expect: Your Treatment Experience
The first step in every successful treatment plan is a consultation, during which we'll assess your pigmentation concerns, discuss your goals, and develop a customized approach. We'll examine your skin type, where and how severe the discoloration is, and any underlying factors affecting pigmentation concerns.
On treatment day, we'll cleanse your skin and apply a topical numbing cream if needed (for Moxi patients only). The treatment itself takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the area being treated. You may notice some redness in the treated area immediately after your session, but this resolves on its own within days.
You will typically be able to return to work and your social schedule right away, though most people prefer to take extra time to allow the redness to fully resolve. We recommend avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing sunscreen regularly as the area heals. We'll provide specific aftercare instructions tailored to your treatment.
How Often Should You Get Treatment?
For MOXI treatments, we recommend scheduling sessions every four to eight weeks until you are fully satisfied with the results. Most patients complete a series of two to four treatments, though some prefer ongoing maintenance sessions every few months.
BBL treatments follow a similar timeline, with sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart. Many patients start with three to six treatments to address existing pigmentation, then schedule maintenance sessions once or twice yearly to preserve their results.
Combining Laser Treatments with Other Services
Complementing laser sun spot and age spot removal treatments with medical-grade facials, science-based skincare products, injectables and other leading-edge options is yet another way we build our offering around what makes each patient unique.
Facials help to prepare the skin for laser treatments and protect your results between sessions. Injectable treatments soften fine lines for a more well-rounded improvement that beautifully complements your laser treatments. Skincare products formulated with vitamin C and retinol enhance the brightening effects of laser treatments.
Members of the Augusta Membership receive 10% off all medical-grade skincare products and facials, plus exclusive discounts on injectable packages and rejuvenation devices.
Maintaining Your Results
Achieving clearer and more even-toned skin is just the first step. If you want to maintain this standard for as long as possible, daily skincare and sun protection are top priorities.
Continue wearing sunscreen every day, even after dark spots have faded. Keep up with your annual or semi-annual maintenance treatments. Follow your provider’s guidance when it comes to medical-grade skincare products.
With consistency and a balanced approach that incorporates all of the above elements, you can seriously boost the quality and longevity of your results.
Why Augusta Aesthetics?
At Augusta Aesthetics, we've built our reputation on providing professional, quality care in a welcoming environment where you can truly unwind. Our experienced team specializes in advanced laser treatments and takes pride in helping you achieve natural-looking results that enhance your confidence.
We use only the most advanced technology from Sciton, including MOXI and BBL Hero skin rejuvenation treatments, to address your pigmentation concerns with precision and minimal downtime. Our providers take an educational approach, encouraging you to ask questions and understand exactly how each treatment works.
When you visit our Cincinnati office, you'll receive personalized attention from consultation through follow-up care. We take the time to understand your unique concerns and create a treatment plan that aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and budget. With the help of VISIA, a highly advanced imaging system that delivers a detailed assessment of even the tiniest imperfections in the skin, we will work with you to create a targeted treatment plan that delivers real results.
Ready to Restore a Beautifully Balanced Complexion?
You don't have to settle for living with sun spots, age spots, or uneven skin tone anymore. With advanced laser treatments available at Augusta Aesthetics, you can fade dark spots and reveal the clear, glowing skin you deserve.
Schedule your consultation today by calling 513-914-6062 or booking online. Whether you’re new to cosmetic treatments or not, we will partner with you to discuss your pigmentation concerns and create a personalized treatment plan that brings out your skin's natural radiance.
A Note on Privacy:
Augusta Aesthetics will never share your information with anyone. Our symplast system is HIPPA secure.