Age Spot and Sun Spot Removal London 2026. Doctor-Led Cryotherapy for Solar Lentigines at The Online GP by The Wellness
Last updated. May 2026. Medically reviewed by GMC-registered doctors at The Online GP by The Wellness, Marylebone.
Age spot and sun spot removal in London starts at £345 at The Online GP by The Wellness in Marylebone or our partner clinics, where a GMC-registered doctor performs the dermatoscopic diagnosis and cryotherapy treatment in a single visit. Age spots, properly known as solar lentigines, are the most common pigmented lesions in adults over 40 and affect approximately 90 percent of fair-skinned adults over 60. Most respond to a single cryotherapy session. Solar lentigines must be distinguished from lentigo maligna, an early form of melanoma that can look almost identical to the untrained eye, which is why doctor-led dermatoscopic assessment matters before any treatment.
Doctor-led age spot and sun spot removal from £345 with same-visit treatment. WhatsApp +44 7961 280835 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call 020 3951 3429.
What is an age spot and what causes it
Age spots are flat, pigmented patches that develop on sun-exposed skin in adults, typically appearing from the mid-thirties onwards and becoming more common with each decade. The medical name is solar lentigo (plural solar lentigines), reflecting the underlying cause. Cumulative UV exposure stimulates the melanocytes in the upper skin layer to produce more melanin and to deposit it unevenly, creating the characteristic flat brown spot.
The terms used interchangeably for the same condition include.
Solar lentigo (the medical term).
Age spot.
Sun spot.
Liver spot (a historical term unrelated to liver function).
Senile lentigo.
The defining clinical features of a benign solar lentigo are.
Flat, completely level with surrounding skin, no raised component.
Uniform light to medium brown colour throughout the lesion.
Clear, sharp border.
Size from 2mm to 20mm or larger.
Located on sun-exposed skin (face, hands, forearms, chest, shoulders, upper back).
Stable over years, with very gradual growth.
No itching, bleeding, or sensory change.
The most common locations are.
The back of the hands (most common location overall).
The face, particularly the cheeks, temples, and forehead.
The forearms.
The upper chest and décolletage.
The shoulders and upper back.
The lower legs in patients with significant sun exposure history.
Solar lentigines are entirely benign. They do not transform into melanoma. They are not contagious and do not spread to other sites. They are markers of cumulative sun exposure rather than active disease.
The clinical importance of solar lentigines is twofold. First, they are cosmetically significant for many patients and are one of the most common reasons for dermatology consultation after age 40. Second, they look very similar to lentigo maligna, an early form of melanoma in situ that develops on sun-damaged skin and is sometimes called Hutchinson's freckle. Dermatoscopic distinction is the standard of care before any treatment.
Solar lentigo versus lentigo maligna. The distinction that matters
Lentigo maligna is melanoma in situ arising on chronically sun-damaged skin, most commonly on the face of adults over 60. It accounts for around 4 to 15 percent of all cutaneous melanomas in the UK. To the naked eye, an early lentigo maligna can look almost identical to a solar lentigo. Both are flat brown patches on sun-exposed skin. Both can grow slowly over years. Both may have a variegated brown colour.
The clinical and dermatoscopic features that distinguish them are subtle.
Features suggesting solar lentigo (benign).
Uniform colour throughout the lesion.
Sharp, clearly defined border.
Faint or absent pigment network under dermatoscope.
Fingerprint-like pattern at the periphery on dermatoscopy.
Symmetric pattern.
No vascular structures.
Stable over months and years.
Features suggesting lentigo maligna (early melanoma in situ).
Variable colour within the lesion, including darker brown, grey-brown, and occasional black or blue specks.
Asymmetry of shape or pigment distribution.
Irregular, indistinct, or notched border.
Asymmetric pigmented follicular openings on dermatoscopy.
Annular-granular pattern with grey dots.
Rhomboidal structures at hair follicles.
Slow growth over months to years, particularly enlargement or darkening.
A 2020 systematic review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that dermatoscopic assessment by trained clinicians improved diagnostic accuracy for lentigo maligna from approximately 60 percent (naked eye alone) to over 85 percent. The British Association of Dermatologists guidelines explicitly require dermatoscopic assessment of any flat pigmented lesion on sun-damaged facial skin in patients over 60 before treatment.
The implication is straightforward. An untrained practitioner who applies cryotherapy to what they assume is a solar lentigo but is actually an early lentigo maligna effectively treats the surface pigment without addressing the underlying melanoma cells, and may delay correct diagnosis by years. This is the single most important reason to choose doctor-led assessment for any facial pigmented lesion in older adults.
The Online GP by The Wellness performs dermatoscopic examination on every patient before any solar lentigo treatment. Lesions with any feature suggesting lentigo maligna are biopsied with histology before any cryotherapy is considered.
Why people seek age spot and sun spot removal
The lesions themselves cause no medical harm. The reasons patients seek removal are well-documented.
Cosmetic concern. Age spots on the face, hands, and décolletage are the most visible markers of cumulative sun exposure and skin ageing. Many patients find them distinctly more ageing than fine lines or volume loss. Removal can produce a meaningful shift in perceived skin age in a single visit.
Skin tone uniformity. A face or chest with multiple age spots reads as uneven and tired. Cleared skin reads as smoother and brighter, without any other intervention.
Photography and confidence. In an era of high-resolution video calls and photography, age spots on the face and hands are more visible than in previous decades. Many patients seek removal in advance of significant events (weddings, professional photography, screen appearances).
Diagnostic reassurance. A doctor's confirmation that the lesion is a benign solar lentigo rather than an early lentigo maligna is itself a meaningful health outcome.
Combined approach to skin health. Many patients use age spot removal as one component of a broader skin health strategy that includes daily SPF, antioxidant skincare, and (where appropriate) prescription retinoids. The doctor at The Online GP by The Wellness will discuss this broader strategy at the consultation.
Age spot and sun spot removal pricing in London
The London market for age spot removal ranges from £30 nurse-led freeze-pen sessions to £600+ per area for consultant laser treatment. The Online GP by The Wellness positions doctor-led cryotherapy in the mid-market with comprehensive packages for patients with multiple spots.
Prices verified May 2026. Several lower-cost providers offer the cryotherapy procedure but not the doctor-led dermatoscopic assessment that should precede it. Sub-£100 cryotherapy sessions for facial pigmentation typically reflect the absence of clinical assessment.
Pricing detail at The Online GP by The Wellness.
Cryotherapy of single solar lentigo. £245 including doctor consultation, dermatoscopic assessment, treatment, and aftercare.
Multi-lesion package up to five spots in the same area (face, hands, chest). £495.
Comprehensive package for face plus hands plus chest (typically 8 to 15 spots across three areas). £695.
Combined with full body mole check. £495 mole check plus £75 to £195 per spot treated, total typically £695 to £895.
Laser treatment referral to partnered dermatology laser clinic for widespread pigmentation that is not suited to spot-by-spot cryotherapy.
How age spot removal works at The Online GP by The Wellness
The doctor selects the most appropriate technique per lesion. For typical solar lentigines, cryotherapy is the first-line treatment and produces excellent results in most cases.
Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius is applied by precision spray or cotton applicator for 5 to 10 seconds per lesion. The brief freeze damages the pigment-producing melanocytes in the upper skin layer, causing the lesion to flake away over the following 10 to 14 days, revealing the underlying lighter skin. Most age spots require a single session.
CryoPen with nitrous oxide. Used for very small or facial lesions where precise control is paramount. Nitrous oxide at minus 89 degrees Celsius delivered as a fine jet causes more limited collateral effect on surrounding skin and is preferred for the face in patients with delicate skin.
Combined cryotherapy and topical depigmenting agents. For patients with multiple age spots and a tendency to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the doctor may prescribe a topical depigmenting cream (such as a tyrosinase inhibitor) for 2 to 4 weeks before cryotherapy to reduce the risk of pigment rebound after treatment. This is particularly relevant for skin types Fitzpatrick III and above.
Laser referral. For patients with very widespread facial pigmentation, dozens of small spots across the cheeks, or pigmentation that is mixed with photo-ageing changes (fine lines, telangiectasia, sallow tone), targeted laser therapy with a Q-switched alexandrite, picosecond, or IPL device may be more appropriate. The Online GP by The Wellness refers to partnered dermatology laser clinics within Marylebone and Harley Street for these cases.
Curettage of raised pigmented seborrhoeic keratosis. Many patients have a mix of flat solar lentigines and raised seborrhoeic keratoses on the same area. The doctor will treat each lesion with the most appropriate technique. Flat lentigines respond to cryotherapy. Raised seborrhoeic keratoses often respond better to curettage and cautery under local anaesthetic.
Most appointments take 30 to 60 minutes from arrival to leaving, depending on the number of spots treated.
Treatment by location. Special considerations
Face (cheeks, temples, forehead). The most cosmetically significant location and the area requiring the most careful technique. Precision cryotherapy with brief freeze times. Strict SPF50 daily for at least 8 weeks after treatment to minimise post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Avoid retinoids for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after treatment.
Back of hands. The most common location for age spots and one of the most rewarding to treat because hands feature prominently in daily interactions, photographs, and self-perception. Most patients have multiple spots on the back of each hand. Multi-spot pricing makes hand treatment cost-effective.
Forearms. Routine treatment. SPF50 for 8 weeks after to prevent rebound pigmentation.
Décolletage and chest. Sun damage in this area is particularly common in women of all ages with cumulative sun exposure. Treatment is straightforward but the area is sensitive to post-inflammatory pigment change. Doctor will discuss expected timeline (often 12 weeks for full result) and aftercare in detail.
Shoulders and upper back. Routine treatment. Multi-spot package economically sensible here because patients usually have several spots.
Lower legs. Treat with caution. Lower-leg skin has a higher rate of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in patients with darker skin tones. Doctor may suggest a test treatment of a single spot first.
Around the eyes. Precision cryotherapy with CryoPen for spots on the eyelids and around the eye area. Lesions on the eyelid margin or within the lashline are referred to consultant oculoplastic surgeon.
The healing timeline. What to expect after treatment
Day 0 (treatment day). A brief stinging sensation during the freeze, lasting 5 to 15 seconds per spot. The treated spot turns white during the freeze, then thaws to a pink halo within minutes. Minor swelling may occur. Continue normal activities.
Day 1 to 3. The treated area develops a darker scab over the original pigment. This is the original pigment migrating to the surface as the upper skin layer separates from the underlying skin. The scab may look temporarily darker than the original spot. This is normal and expected.
Day 4 to 10. The scab dries and begins to lift at the edges. Do not pick. Wash gently once a day with mild soap and water. Continue daily SPF50.
Day 10 to 14. The scab falls off naturally, revealing pink, normal skin underneath. The original pigment is no longer present.
Week 3 to 8. The pink area fades to natural skin colour. For most patients, the result is now visible.
Week 8 to 16. Full result becomes apparent. Most age spots are completely resolved or substantially lightened after a single session. A small number of stubborn spots may benefit from a second session at 8 weeks.
SPF aftercare is essential. UV exposure to healing skin can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is exactly what we are trying to avoid. Daily SPF50 broad spectrum sunscreen for at least 8 to 12 weeks after treatment is non-negotiable for optimal results.
Side effects to be aware of. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the treated area becoming temporarily darker rather than lighter) can occur, particularly in skin types Fitzpatrick III and above, and usually resolves over 6 to 12 months. Hypopigmentation (lighter spot) is uncommon with brief freeze times but can occur with over-treatment. The doctor will use the minimum effective freeze time for your skin type. Mild blistering, redness, and swelling at 24 to 48 hours are normal.
When to contact the clinic. Spreading redness, warmth, fever, or pus suggest infection (uncommon, 1 to 2 percent) and respond to a short course of oral antibiotics. WhatsApp the clinic on +44 7961 280835 and a doctor will assess by photograph within hours.
The age spot prevention strategy. Free advice from a doctor
Removing existing age spots is half the strategy. Preventing new ones is the other half, and is straightforward.
Daily SPF50 broad spectrum sunscreen on face, neck, ears, hands, and forearms. Year-round, not only in summer. UVA passes through cloud cover and through ordinary window glass. Daily SPF use is the single most evidence-based intervention against age spot formation and against melanoma risk. The Cancer Research UK 2024 guidance recommends SPF50 daily on exposed skin for all adults.
Annual full body mole check. As described in our companion blog on mole check and skin cancer screening, regular dermatoscopic surveillance catches new pigmentation early and distinguishes solar lentigo from lentigo maligna before either is established.
Avoid sunbeds. The World Health Organisation classifies sunbeds as a group 1 carcinogen. Sunbed use before age 30 increases melanoma risk by approximately 75 percent. Sunbed use is also a significant accelerator of age spot formation.
Wear physical sun protection on hands when driving. Driving creates significant cumulative UVA exposure to the back of the left hand (in left-hand drive countries, the right hand). Driving gloves or backs-of-hand SPF is recommended for regular drivers.
Consider topical retinoid therapy. Prescription tretinoin (typically 0.025 to 0.05 percent applied nightly) reduces age spot formation and lightens existing pigmentation over 6 to 12 months. The doctor at The Online GP by The Wellness can discuss whether prescription tretinoin is appropriate for your skin.
Antioxidant skincare. Topical vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid 10 to 20 percent applied daily under sunscreen) is supported by clinical trials to reduce UV-induced pigmentation. Vitamin E and ferulic acid are useful additions.
Address modifiable lifestyle factors. Smoking, excessive alcohol, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress all accelerate skin ageing and impair recovery from UV damage. None of these are dramatic single interventions but their cumulative effect over a lifetime is substantial.
This advice is provided free as part of the consultation. The Online GP by The Wellness does not sell skincare products. The doctor's recommendations are based on the clinical evidence rather than on any commercial relationship with a brand.
Why doctor-led age spot removal is the standard of care
The technical removal of an age spot is straightforward. The clinical decision before removal is where the doctor-led difference shows.
One. Distinguishing solar lentigo from lentigo maligna. The single biggest avoidable error in pigmentation treatment is treating an early lentigo maligna as a solar lentigo. This delays diagnosis by months to years, with significant consequences for prognosis. Dermatoscopic assessment by a trained clinician reduces this risk to near zero. Nurse-led and therapist-led age spot clinics generally cannot perform reliable dermatoscopy.
Two. Choosing the right technique per lesion. Many patients present with a mix of pigmented lesions including flat solar lentigines, raised seborrhoeic keratoses, cherry angiomas, melanocytic naevi, and occasional dermatofibromas. The doctor selects the right technique per lesion. A clinic offering only CryoPen treats every lesion the same way regardless of what the lesion is.
Three. Managing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk. Patients with skin types Fitzpatrick III to VI have a meaningful risk of post-treatment darkening rather than lightening. A doctor pretreats with topical depigmenting agents where indicated, selects shorter freeze times, and discusses realistic expectations. A flat-rate cryotherapy clinic may treat without these considerations and produce worse outcomes in darker skin.
Four. Integrating with broader skin health. Age spot removal is most effective as part of a coherent skin health strategy including SPF, annual mole checks, prescription retinoids where appropriate, and lifestyle factors. The doctor takes this comprehensive view. A single-procedure clinic does not.
The British Association of Dermatologists position statement on cosmetic dermatology (2024) recommends that pigmented lesion removal be performed by, or under direct supervision of, a medically qualified clinician with dermatoscopic training. The Online GP by The Wellness meets this standard as a baseline.
Book a doctor-led age spot assessment and treatment. WhatsApp +44 7961 280835 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call 020 3951 3429.
The investment frame. Why £245 to £695 for age spot removal makes sense
A single age spot cryotherapy at £245 is more expensive than a £30 nurse-led CryoPen session at a budget clinic. The relevant calculation is what comes with the £245.
The £245 at The Online GP by The Wellness includes a 30-minute doctor consultation, full dermatoscopic examination of the presenting lesion and of any adjacent pigmented lesions, the cryotherapy itself, prescription for any indicated topical agents, comprehensive written aftercare, follow-up via WhatsApp, free 4-week follow-up if needed, and a written clinical note for your record. The £30 nurse-led session includes only the freeze.
For patients with multiple age spots, the multi-area package at £695 covers face plus hands plus chest with typically 8 to 15 spots treated. Per-spot cost is therefore £46 to £87, well below the £150 to £300 typical at consultant Harley Street clinics, while retaining the full doctor-led standard of care including dermatoscopy and risk-stratified treatment selection.
Compared with laser treatment of widespread facial pigmentation, which typically costs £400 to £600 per session and requires three to five sessions for full clearance (total £1,200 to £3,000), cryotherapy for discrete spots is dramatically more cost-effective for the right indication. Laser is more appropriate for very widespread or diffuse pigmentation.
The investment in age spot removal also includes the no-cost preventive guidance the doctor provides. Daily SPF50 advice, optional prescription retinoid pathway, annual mole check recommendation, lifestyle factors. The total package is therefore considerably more than just the cryotherapy.
Frequently asked questions
Are age spots a sign of liver disease. No. Despite the historical name "liver spots," age spots have no connection to liver function or liver disease. They are caused by cumulative UV exposure to the skin.
Can age spots turn into skin cancer. Solar lentigines themselves do not transform into skin cancer. However, lentigo maligna (early melanoma in situ) can develop on sun-damaged skin and may initially resemble a solar lentigo. This is why doctor-led dermatoscopic assessment is the standard of care before any treatment.
Will the age spots come back after cryotherapy. Most treated age spots do not return at the same site. New age spots may develop elsewhere on sun-exposed skin over time, particularly without consistent SPF use. Daily SPF50 is the single most effective measure against new age spot formation.
Will cryotherapy lighten my skin permanently. Brief, precise cryotherapy targets only the upper pigmented layer and produces minimal effect on the deeper melanocytes that determine your overall skin tone. Permanent hypopigmentation (lighter patch) is uncommon with correctly performed brief cryotherapy. Where it occurs, it usually resolves within 6 to 12 months.
How many sessions will I need. Most age spots clear in a single cryotherapy session. Larger or darker spots, particularly on chronically sun-damaged skin, may benefit from a second session at 8 weeks. Around 80 percent of patients are satisfied with the result after one session.
Can I have cryotherapy if I have darker skin. Yes, but the doctor will discuss the higher risk of post-inflammatory pigment change in skin types Fitzpatrick III to VI. The treatment plan may include shorter freeze times, pretreatment with topical depigmenting agents, and longer SPF aftercare commitment.
What is the best time of year for age spot treatment. Autumn and winter are optimal because UV exposure is lower and SPF compliance is easier to maintain through the healing period. Summer treatment is possible but requires stricter SPF aftercare and care to avoid sun exposure to healing skin.
Will my insurance cover this. Most private medical insurance policies exclude cosmetic procedures, including most age spot removal. Where there is documented concern about lentigo maligna or another diagnostic question, the assessment may be partially covered. The clinic provides detailed invoices for self-pay or partial-insurance scenarios.
How quickly can I be seen. Same-day appointments are routinely available before midday. Most enquiries receive a same-hour WhatsApp response during clinic hours.
Can I have age spot removal during pregnancy. Yes for cryotherapy, which has localised effect only. The clinic generally recommends deferring treatment until after pregnancy because pregnancy hormones can affect pigmentation patterns and post-treatment pigment behaviour. The doctor will discuss your specific situation at consultation.
How to book age spot or sun spot removal
The clinic is in Marylebone, central London, three minutes from Baker Street tube and adjacent to Harley Street. Same-day appointments are routinely available.
Three ways to enquire.
WhatsApp. Send a clear photograph of the area you want treated. A doctor will respond within the hour during clinic hours with diagnostic likelihood, recommended package, and pricing. Open WhatsApp +44 7961 280835.
Email. team@thewellnesslondon.com. Include photographs.
Phone. 020 3951 3429.
International patients welcome. No NHS registration, UK address, or GP referral required. Multilingual doctors available in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Dutch.
Medical disclaimer and authorship
This article is for general information and does not constitute medical advice for any individual case. Solar lentigines can be visually similar to lentigo maligna (early melanoma in situ), particularly on the face of older adults. Photographic assessment is not a substitute for direct clinical examination including dermatoscopy. If you notice a flat pigmented lesion that is changing in size, shape, or colour, please book a clinical assessment before considering any treatment.
About The Online GP by The Wellness. The Online GP by The Wellness is a private healthcare group providing doctor-led medical services from our Marylebone clinic adjacent to Harley Street. All doctors are GMC-registered. The clinic is CQC-registered. Contact us on WhatsApp at +44 7961 280835, email team@thewellnesslondon.com, or call 020 3951 3429.
References.
Cancer Research UK. Skin cancer prevention. Updated 2024 and 2025.
British Association of Dermatologists. Position statement on cosmetic dermatology and pigmented lesion management. Updated 2024.
Pratt M et al. Solar lentigines. A review of pathogenesis, dermoscopy, and treatment. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Updated 2024.
Tanaka M et al. Dermoscopic features of lentigo maligna and solar lentigo. A systematic review. Journal of Dermatological Science. Updated 2020.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO). Solar and ultraviolet radiation. Monograph. Updated 2024.
Hofmann-Wellenhof R et al. Dermoscopy of facial lesions. British Journal of Dermatology. Updated 2024.
NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary. Solar lentigo and pigmentation. Updated 2025.
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