Taipei City Hospital

      Hong Keming, a dermatologist at the Zhongxiao Branch of Taipei City Hospital, said that because solar lentigines, also known as sun-induced freckles or old age spots, have a flat surface, the general public tends to think that they are easy to get rid of. However, its pathological structure extends through the epidermis to the dermis, like the roots of a tree growing deep into the soil. Only when the bottom of each structure is cleared away can the solar lentigo be truly eradicated. Although a certain level of effect will be achieved if only the surface is removed, the residual bottom is often difficult to detect; thus, recurrence very often -results.

      Through a combination of the tissue structure of solar lentigines, physical properties of the laser instrument and knowledge of physical sciences, the Zhongxiao Branch started to separately launch the “Instant Solar Lentigo Removal: special clinic for solar lentigines and old age spots” in August this year, targeting frequent recurrence and commonly seen fibrosis, aiming to achieve the eradication of facial spots without causing fibrosis. The clinic uses a ruby laser as the main instrument; the ruby laser is the most efficacious among current spot-removing instruments, and is least likely to damage the vascular system.

      Dr. Hong pointed out that correct spot removal includes the following two points:
1. Destruction: getting rid of spot tissues
2. Building: postoperative care, including wound healing, as well as restoring tissue strength

      He said that the skin is a complex structure which includes both biological and physiological aspects. In cosmetic surgeries, spot removal and rejuvenation act on the outermost epidermis and the dermis of the body, and thus are most vulnerable to the impact of the external environment. Therefore, apart from UV rays, a certain extent of thermal and mechanical strength or long-term cumulative stimuli should all be avoided. As for the various chemical skin care ingredients, they must first go through chemical tests in non-biological systems before entering an isothermal biological system. Postoperative care thus becomes the key to succesful cosmetic surgery.