Old-age spots, which most people just call age spots, are a direct result of excess melanin. Ultraviolet light, age and genetics can increase the production of melanin, according to the Mayo Clinic. This causes clusters of the compound to accumulate in the skin, and age spots form. These spots aren't anything to worry about, but you can use a variety of products and procedures to remove them if you wish.
Step 1
Rub a thin layer of an over-the-counter fade cream on the spots. Hydroquinone is the most common skin-lightening agent in over-the-counter creams, but you can also see an improvement in age spots with other active ingredients, such as deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid or kojic acid, according to the Mayo Clinic. Daily use can provide results in several weeks.
Step 2
Apply a prescription fade cream to the spots each day. Prescription fade creams are typically formulated with higher dilutions of hydroquinone to break up the melanin and gradually fade the age spots.
Step 3
Lighten age spots with a topical retinoid, suggests the Cleveland Clinic. Retinoids can also break down excess melanin, causing age spots to become lighter. They're sometimes combined with corticosteroids and hydroquinone to improve their efficacy in fading age spots.
Step 4
Resurface areas of the skin affected by age spots. Chemical peels and dermabrasion are two rejuvenation techniques used to resurface the skin and improve the appearance of age spots. A chemical agent or a wire brush is used to remove the surface layer of the skin. This causes new skin that lacks the excess melanin to emerge.
Step 5
Freeze the age spots with cryotherapy, advises the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. This technique uses liquid nitrogen to break up the melanin. Spots are treated individually or in small groups.
Step 6
Have the age spots removed with a laser. The light energy emitted by the laser breaks up the melanin. A series of session is usually needed to fully remove the spots.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Some treatments make the skin more sensitive to the sun and counteract the fading effects of treatment.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Over-the-counter fade cream
- Prescription fade cream
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