Age spots are harmless and do not need treatment. These flat darkened skin spots commonly occur in adults over age 40 but can affect younger individuals as well. The spots appear on areas most often exposed to sun --face, hands, chest, shoulders and arms. Risk factors include light skin, frequent sunburn and genetics. Several treatment options can be used to eliminate old age spots.
Definition and Cause
Old age spots are usually grey, brown or black and can be confirmed by a doctor. Doctors call them age spots, liver spots or solar lentigines. These flattened oval areas appear due to ultraviolet light accelerating the production of melanin, or skin pigment. The melanin becomes clumped in small areas in higher than normal concentrations. It takes years of sun exposure and they typically develop very slowly.
Topical Medications
Pharmacies sell over-the-counter and prescription creams for treatment of old age spots. Hydroquinone and retinoids can fade spots over several months. Hydroquinone bleaches the spots by interfering with melanin production in the area of application. Retinoids gently exfoliate the skin, making the spots softer and less noticeable but not actually bleaching them. Always use sunscreen when using these creams as sun renders the products inactive and age spots will return.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is available using pigment removal lasers. Lasers destroy the malanocytes creating the excess pigment, without destroying the skin's surface. They are the treatment of choice because of less scarring, less pain and shorter recovery. Patients describe laser pulses feeling like the snap of a rubber band on the skin. After treatment, age spots fade over several weeks as the body's immune system carries away the broken melanocytes. It may take more than one laser treatment to eliminate the spots.
Other Treatments
Other treatment options comprise chemical peels, cryotherapy and dermabrasion. High laser costs, lack of laser training and no access to laser equipment lead many physicians to continue using liquid nitrogen as a method of freezing age spots. This method, albeit popular, may cause scarring or discoloration.
Chemical peels use acid to burn away the outer layers of skin, thus fading age spots. As the damaged skin peels off, newer skin takes it place. Superficial peels may require several treatments.
Dermabrasion functions similar to chemical peels in removing the surface layers of the skin. A rotating brush removes the skin surface and a new layer of skin grows in its place. Usually, only one treatment is needed but recovery may be a bit more intense.
Prevention
Protection from the sun will prevent most old age spots. Minimize sun exposure with sunscreen and protective clothing. Avoid tanning beds because the ultraviolet light promotes skin cell damage and pigment production. Use sunscreens with at least SPF 15, which has both UVA and UVB protection. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply about every hour. Also, avoid the sun during high-intensity hours, when it is the most damaging. Even those with dark skin will benefit from sunscreen protection.
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