Age spots, or solar lentigines, are flat, dark spots that develop on sun-exposed areas of skin. They occur when the skin increases production of melanin to protect against sun damage. Age spots are most common in those over the age of 40 years, but they affect men and women of all ages, according to the Mayo Clinic. Treatments for age spots focus on removing damaged and discolored skin or bleaching the areas of hyperpigmentation to make them closer in color to surrounding tissue.
Step 1
Use an over-the-counter topical cream to fade your age spots. Retinoid creams, vitamin C, lipoic acid and alpha hydroxy acids can help fade blotchy pigmentation, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society.
Step 2
Try a prescription-strength retinoid if over-the-counter creams are ineffective. Tretinoin is a topical medication typically used in the treatment of acne. Some tretinoin creams are effective at minimizing the effects of sun damage and fading age spots. The Mayo Clinic reports that tretinoin works against skin discoloration by lightening the skin and speeding the replacement of older, damaged skin.
Step 3
Lighten your age spots with hydroquinone. This prescription medication works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme necessary for melanin production. This slows the production and increases the breakdown of melanin pigment granules in the skin. Hydroquinone may be used in conjunction with glycolic acid or tretinoin, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Step 4
Get rid of your age spots by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. This treatment for age spots, called cryotherapy, works by destroying the pigment responsible for the skin discoloration. Cryotherapy is highly effective at lightening age spots, according to the Mayo Clinic, but the procedure poses some risk of permanent scarring.
Step 5
Undergo a chemical peel to get rid of your age spots and restore the natural color and texture of your skin. The University of Virginia states that peels are primarily used to treat irregular pigment and correct sun damage. Chemical peels work by burning the top layer of skin, causing it to separate and peel away, states the American Academy of Dermatology. This enables new, healthy skin to take its place.
Step 6
Try non-ablative laser surgery, a technique that uses a broad-spectrum pulse laser to heat the dermis layer of the skin and increase collagen production, according to Skin Care Guide. It can effectively minimize skin discoloration and age spots, but multiple treatments are typically necessary.
Step 7
Wear sunscreen at all times to prevent the formation of new age spots and help ensure the success of other treatment options. Apply sunscreen at least twice daily and after sweating or swimming.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Over-the-counter cream for skin discoloration
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