As we age, damage from the sun’s harmful rays becomes more apparent. One of the most common changes in our skin as we age is the development of age spots. Age spots are also known as solar lentigines, sun spots, dark spots or liver spots. They are flat brownish spots that appear on sun-exposed areas of skin. Although these spots are benign and require no treatment, many people choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons. There are several treatment options available, most of which require a visit to your dermatologist.
Topical Therapy
Bleaching creams containing hydroquinone may be effective in diminishing the appearance of age spots. They are available by prescription or over the counter. Results typically take several months. Retinoids may be used alone or combined with bleaching creams to even skin tone. Solage is a prescription topical solution approved by the FDA to treat age spots consisting of mequinol 2 percent, which is a depigmentation agent, and tretinoin 0.01 percent, which is a retinoid.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves destroying the top layer of the skin, or the epidermis, by freezing the skin with liquid nitrogen. This is the same technique used to freeze warts. The procedure is quick and the results last for about one to three years. This treatment is ideal for treating one spot or a small group of spots, but should not be used to treat a large number of spots. Risks include scarring, hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is done by applying an acid to the skin that results in a burn. The skin then peels afterward and is replaced by new skin. For age spots, trichloroacetic acid at 30 to 35 percent strength is recommended. According to Aging Skin Net, an extension of the American Academy of Dermatology, it may take 1 to 14 days for the skin to heal, depending on the depth of the peel. Risks include redness lasting for several months, permanent or temporary skin discoloration and scarring.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves “sanding” down the skin using a rotating abrasive tool to remove superficial skin layers. This results in a wound similar to an abrasion. New skin then grows to replace the old. Healing takes about 10 days and the skin will return to its normal coloration in about 8 to 12 days. Complications could include scarring or thickening of the skin.
Lasers and Light Therapy
Lasers may be the most effective method available today to remove age spots. They work by destroying melanocytes, or skin cells, which produce a dark pigment known as melanin. According to Aging Skin Net, age spots can be reduced by 50 percent with only one treatment and may be completely removed with several successive treatments.
Many laser therapies can be done in an hour or less and require minimal downtime. Some lasers and light therapies used to treat age spots include non-ablative laser rejuvenation, intense pulsed light, photodynamic therapy, fractional laser rejuvenation and ablative laser resurfacing. Risks include redness, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and scarring.
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