Age spots, also called liver spots, have very little to do with age or the liver. Instead, the light grayish-brown spots are a reaction to overexposure to the sun and thin skin. Although they tend to be more prominent in people over age 50, they show up on the face, neck and hands on people of all ages. Age spots typically are not cancerous though they can be unsightly.
Step 1
See a dermatologist or other trained practitioner to have the spots sanded off by a procedure called microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion utilizes a diamond-tip instrument to remove the top layer of the epidermis while stimulating new skin growth. There is little discomfort with the procedure, although it may take three or four sessions to reduce the appearance of the liver spots.
Step 2
Try a chemical peel to remove the top layer of skin more thoroughly than can be done with microdermabrasion. The chemical peel leaves skin red and peeling, but it removes more of the layer of skin than the sanding technique and can produce results in one session.
Step 3
Get phototherapy treatments, which utilize a cream that's placed on the skin and treated with lasers. The topical medicinal lotion 5-aminolevulinic, when hit with the laser, can remove age spots and skin moles that could lead to cancer.
Step 4
Ask your doctor for a prescription for bleaching cream. According to the Mayo Clinic, products that contain hydroquinone, retinoids and steroids can be effective in treating age spots. Treatment will be gradual and may take as long as three months.
Step 5
Freeze the skin to kill the top layer of epidermis where the dark spots are. Cryotherapy utilizes liquid nitrogen or a similar freezing agent to destroy the pigment and allows lighter skin to grow in. There is a risk of permanent scarring from a freezing procedure, however.
Tips and Warnings
- If you buy over-the-counter fade creams, look for those that contain hydroquinone, glycolic acid or deoxyarbutin. The dosage will not be as strong as prescription strength creams, which means you will have to continue with the treatments for a longer period to see results.
- Cover your skin and wear sunscreen when going outside to prevent age spots from returning after you've had treatments for their reduction. Avoid age spots in the first place by refraining from sunning.
Things You'll Need
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peel
- Phototherapy
- Bleaching cream
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