Age spots, also known as solar lentigines and liver spots, are dark spots that appear on widely exposed areas of the skin such as your face, hands and shoulders, according to the Mayo Clinic. Age spots are more common in adults over age 40, since they typically result from years of exposure to the sun, but they can also affect younger people. Age spots are considered harmless, but you may be bothered by their appearance. Some treatments and lifestyle changes help rejuvenate your skin.
Step 1
Apply a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor or SPF of at least 15. Daily use of sunscreen reduces your daily exposure to UV rays. This gives your immune system a chance to repair previous sun damage and reduces your chances of developing more age spots in the future, notes the Skin Cancer Foundation.
The Mayo Clinic recommends buying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, meaning it will block both UVA and UVB rays, and suggests applying it 30 minutes before you go outdoors, reapplying it as the product label directs.
Step 2
Apply an over-the-counter fade cream. Products that contain hydroquinone, glycolic acid, kojic acid and deoxyarbutin may cause a noticeable difference, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, you may need to use the product for weeks or months before you notice any results, because the treatment needs to reach the base of your top layer of skin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Ask a dermatologist about prescription-strength fade creams. He may prescribe a bleaching cream that contains a stronger concentration of hydroquinone or pair the prescription cream with retinoids and a mild steroid, notes the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Discuss other treatment options with your dermatologist. She may tell you about: laser therapy, which destroys the melanocytes that create darker pigment; freezing, or cryotherapy, which destroys extra pigment; dermabrasion, which sands the surface layer of skin; and chemical peels, which burn the outer layer of skin and cause new, lighter skin to form in its place.
Things You'll Need
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher
- Over-the-counter fade cream
- Prescription strength fade cream
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