If you have noticed a brown spot on your skin, it may be an age spot. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, age spots occur when the skin has been badly damaged by the sun and the pigment melanin clumps together beneath the surface of the skin. These are typically flat markings with a brown color. If you are unsure of the cause of the skin discoloration, speak to your doctor to rule out more serious skin conditions such as skin cancer.
Step 1
Purchase a fade cream. Age spots may be removed with an over-the-counter fade cream. The Mayo Clinic suggests that you choose a product with kojic acid, hydroquinone, glycolic acid or deoxyarbutin as the active ingredient.
Step 2
Clean the skin. Put the fade cream directly on the brown spot twice a day in a thin and even layer. Avoid touching any of the surrounding areas of the skin. Wash your hands immediately after application.
Step 3
Apply sunscreen daily. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying sunscreen daily to all exposed areas of the skin while you are treating age spots. The product you choose should have SPF 30 or higher and provide UVA and UVB protection.
Step 4
Continue to use the fade cream on a regular basis. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may take several weeks to several months to prove effective. It takes this long because the ingredients in the cream need to penetrate the layers of the skin until it reaches the excess pigment.
Tips and Warnings
- You can speak to a dermatologist about more aggressive treatments to remove brown spots on the skin. Prescription strength fade creams, chemical peels, laser therapy and cryotherapy are examples of procedures available to treat skin discoloration.
- Stop using the fade cream and speak to your doctor if you experience any side effects, like skin irritation.
Things You'll Need
- Fade cream
- Sunscreen
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