Age spots are patches of dark skin that usually appear on the face and hands and, less frequently, on the arms and shoulders. People over 40 are more likely to notice them, although they can appear at any age given the right circumstances. Age spots are caused by exposure to UV rays, regardless of whether this occurs in a tanning bed or in direct sunlight. Creams and skin procedures can fade age spots.
Prescription Drugs
While bleaching creams are available over the counter, they are unlikely to be strong enough to make a difference. Your doctor can prescribe something stronger to help fade age spots. Prescription creams usually contain hydroquinone, a powerful bleaching agent available in strengths of up to 4 percent. Hydroquinone might produce results in up to four weeks, although treatment for up to three months might be needed to see improvements in serious cases. Doctors sometimes prescribe retinoids like tretinoin to use along with hydroquinone. Retinoids help thin and renew the skin, so they help with discoloration, as well as facilitating the absorption of other products like hydroquinone.
Dermabrasion and Chemical Peels
The next step up from creams are procedures that will sand down or burn away the surface layer of your skin, which is where dark spots and wrinkles are located. Dermabrasion can leave your skin irritated, but eventually a new layer of skin forms. Chemical peels are available in a number of strengths, from superficial to deep. Superficial peels might require several treatments before you see any results, but they’re also less likely to cause irritation. Deeper peels completely burn the upper layer of skin and often don’t require more than one treatment. Sunscreen is important after treatment, as the skin becomes sensitive and more likely to burn when exposed to the sun.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy works by destroying the cells that produce the dark pigment. Age spots fade gradually after treatment with a laser, and several visits to your doctor might be needed in order to achieve significant results. Laser therapy is more painful than other forms of treatment, and must be performed by a skilled professional to ensure that you don’t end up with blotches of white skin because the wrong area of the skin was treated.
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