Having sun spots removed: what do you need to know?
Het Nieuwsblad, 9 April 2026
Dr Griet Voet in Het Nieuwsblad on sun spots: how they develop, how to have them treated and what aftercare is needed.
Prompted by Astrid Coppens, who is having her sun spots treated, Dr Griet Voet and a fellow dermatologist answer the most frequently asked questions in Het Nieuwsblad.
Pigmentation spots are mainly caused by the sun, but hormones, skin ageing and inflammation also play a part. Daily sun protection limits the risk. Spots can be treated with creams, peels or lasers such as the picosecond laser and the fractional CO₂ laser; the number of sessions differs per technique. After treatment, redness and a temporarily darker spot are normal.
The result is permanent for that spot, but the skin remains prone to new pigmentation. That is why autumn and winter are the best time, and strict sun protection afterwards is essential.
Key advice
Apply SPF 50 sunscreen daily, including after treatment.
Preferably schedule laser treatment in autumn or winter.
After laser treatment, avoid scratching, saunas, swimming pools and active ingredients such as retinol.
“That is why autumn and winter are ideal for laser treatments.” — Dr Griet Voet
Want to know more? Read about Laser treatment consultation at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.