Age spots, sometimes referred to as liver spots, are small, flat, round dots that appear on the skin. While age spots are more prevalent in adults over 40 years old, they can occur in younger people too. The spots, which also can appear gray or black, typically form on the backs of the hands, face, arms and shoulders.
Step 1
See a dermatologist for a prescription skin-lightening cream. Bleaching products that contain hydroquinone and tretinoin erase age spots gradually when used with steroidal cream. To be effective, creams must be able to reach the lower layers of the top epidermis. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic say that sunscreen should be used liberally when using prescription-strength creams.
Step 2
Find a therapist or dermatologist to perform laser therapy on your skin. Lasers destroy the melanocytes that turn the skin darker in spots. Laser treatments typically must be performed over a series of sessions for several weeks, or even months. While there are little or no side effects from laser therapy, the treatment can be expensive.
Step 3
Check into the availability of cryotherapy in your area. Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the dark spots and destroy the extra pigment that creates the darkness. New skin underneath returns fresh and pink. Freezing is usually done on batches of spots. While it is safe, the treatment can leave permanent scarring.
Step 4
Get a dermatologist or cosmetic technician to sand your skin down through a procedure called dermabrasion. Professionals use a brush that turns rapidly and planes the dark areas away. A new layer of skin grows in, free of discoloration. Like cryotherapy, however, dermabrasion can leave scabs and scars.
Step 5
Use a chemical peel to slowly remove age spots. Chemical peels, common treatment for aging facial skin, use acid to lightly burn away the top layer of skin. Since the acid must be applied lightly, the treatment takes several sessions to completely remove the spots.
Tips and Warnings
- Save money by trying an over-the-counter age spot remover cream. The most effective brands contain hydroquinone and glycolic acid, among other ingredients. The doses are much lower than prescription strength creams and must be applied diligently for weeks or months to get results.
- Use sunscreen on fresh skin where age spots have been burned or scraped off to protect the fresh skin and avoid more spots.
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