Liver spots, also known as sun spots or age spots, are non-cancerous flat blemishes with a brown or black color. According to the Medline Plus website, common areas where they appear are the face, forehead, arms, hands and shoulders.
Liver spots typically occur more often in individuals over the age of 40 and are caused from prolonged sun exposure. The melanin formed from sun exposure clumps together and results in liver spots. A doctor should examine the blemishes to confirm they are liver spots and not a more serious skin condition.
Step 1
Purchase a skin lightening cream. The Mayo Clinic recommends brands that contain kojic acid, hydroquinone, deoxyarbutin or glycolic acid. Apply the cream twice a day after you have cleaned and dried the affected area. You may need to continue use of the cream for several weeks or months for the ingredients to penetrate the epidermis.
Step 2
Receive a prescription for a stronger lightening cream. A doctor can recommend lightening creams with a higher concentration of medicine to use, along with a topical retinoid.
Step 3
Request a referral to a dermatologist. Discuss available liver spot removal options, including dermabrasion, laser therapy and cryotherapy. If you opt for dermabrasion, a rotating brush sands down the top layers of the skin to stimulate new growth.
To destroy the extra pigment in the skin, a laser can be used on the skin.
Cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to the affected area to get rid of the excess pigment. You may require multiple sessions of each procedure until the liver spot is successfully removed.
Tips and Warnings
- You must have the right skin tone to use a skin lightening cream for liver spot removal. Light skin tones with darker spots can use this method. Since liver spots are a cosmetic concern, your insurance company is not likely to cover any type of treatment method.
Things You'll Need
- Skin lightening cream
