Age spots are flat spots on the skin that are normally brown, black or gray. They develop after years of sun exposure and are most often found on the face, hands and arms. While harmless, it is important to have them evaluated by a physician, as they are easy to confuse with melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Many people want a remedy for age spots because, although harmless, they do make the skin appear older. Removing age spots can help restore a more youthful look to skin.
Step 1
Try an over-the-counter bleaching cream containing glycolic or kojic acid. These creams gradually destroy the excess melanin in the skin that leads to discoloration. They are not always strong enough to be effective and it can take four to six weeks to see results, but they are a safe first step when fading age spots.
Step 2
Ask your dermatologist for a prescription-strength cream containing hydroquinone. Hydroquinone, particularly when combined with alpha or beta hydroxy acids, can eliminate the buildup of melanin in the skin that causes age spots. These creams generally work more quickly than over-the-counter preparations, but are still considered safe.
Step 3
Consider dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is a medical procedure where the upper layers of skin are sanded off of the face with a rotary brush. Dermabrasion not only treats age spots but fine lines and areas of uneven complexion that make people look older.
Step 4
Use laser therapy. While it takes more than one session to completely eliminate age spots, laser therapy is an excellent choice for people who don't feel comfortable with dermabrasion. The laser destroys the excessive melanin without damaging the surrounding skin. The process is expensive, and the age spots fade over time.
Step 5
Treat small areas of discoloration with cryotherapy. For someone with small areas affected by age spots, cryotherapy can be a good choice. A solution that freezes the skin, such as liquid nitrogen, is applied to the affected areas to destroy the excess pigment. Cryotherapy can result in total loss of pigment or other inconsistencies in skin tone.
Tips and Warnings
- It's never too late to use sunscreen. Regardless of the method used for fading sunspots, sunscreen during and after treatment will allow the products to work their best.
- Any skin treatments that are strong enough to fade age spots run the risk of irritating the skin. Proceed carefully and, in the case of dermabrasion, laser therapy and cryotherapy, visit a physician rather than a beauty spa.
Things You'll Need
- Bleaching cream that contains glycolic or kojic acid
- Hydroquinone cream
- Lotion with alpha or beta hydroxy acid
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