Age spots appear later in life on skin with many years of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, tanning beds or sun lamps. They are most common after age 55, notes Aetna InteliHealth. While true age or sun spots are benign, you should still have your arms examined by a dermatologist. Malignant or pre-cancerous spots on the skin may resemble age spots, warns the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD, on its website, Skin Care Physicians. There are steps you can take to get rid of the age spots on your arm.
Step 1
Shield your arms from further exposure to ultraviolet radiation. As AAD points out, results will not materialize with age-spot treatments if the marks continue to grow or darken from ongoing UV exposure. Stop using tanning beds or sun lamps, and avoid unprotected sunlight exposure. Apply a sunblock of SPF 30 or greater to your arms about 20 minutes before going out, and put more on after every two hours outdoors. Long sleeves are another option, of course.
Step 2
Ask your dermatologist for a recommendation for an over-the-counter skin lightening cream, or for a stronger prescription topical skin lightener if deemed necessary. Hydroquinone-based skin bleachers are often the most effective, particularly in prescription-strength products. Deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid and kojic acid are other active ingredients recommended by MayoClinic.com.
Step 3
Consult your dermatologist or plastic surgeon about procedures that can eliminate the age spots on your arm. Chemical peels burn off darkened skin. These are performed with alpha hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid or phenol, depending on the depth and darkness of the age spots on your arm. Cryosurgery is another option that eliminates discolored skin with a freezing agent, usually liquid nitrogen. Age spots may also be sanded off with dermabrasion. The pigment can be destroyed with laser treatments as well.
Tips and Warnings
- There are many ingredients used in skin lightening products. Others that may work for you include soy, azelaic acid, gluconic acid, dithiaoctanediol, licorice extract, mitracarpus scaber extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract, beta carotene, paper mulberry and vitamin C, according to DermaDoctor. Skin lightening creams need significant time to reach pigment below the surface of the skin. They generally take many weeks or months of consistent use to show results, advises MayoClinic.com.
- Don't use skin lightening products imported from outside the United States, warns AAD. They are known to have inaccurate ingredient lists. They may also contain mercury or powerful steroids, causing unforeseen side effects on skin's appearance and on your health. Topical skin lightening products can cause irritation, especially with prolonged use, cautions MayoClinic.com.
Things You'll Need
- Sunblock
- Topical skin lightener
Member Comments