Age spots--sometimes called liver spots or sun spots--are usually harmless, the result of years spent outdoors without sunscreen protection. Your body produces melanin in response to ultraviolet light. When this happens often enough over a period of years, the melanin becomes trapped just under the top layer of your skin, resulting in black, brown or gray spots. The good news is that most methods of getting rid of them are perfectly safe. The down side is that there might be some minor discomfort, and some methods can be expensive.
Professional Methods
Since melanin is located under the top layer of your skin, all methods of removing it must be able to penetrate your skin. Dermatologists frequently use lasers for this reason. Melanin absorbs light, according to The Patient's Guide. When it absorbs laser light, decomposition of those cells occurs without damage to the surrounding cells, according to Dr. Jeffrey Melton, Director of Cosmetic Surgery at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dermabrasion and chemical peels both remove the top layer of your skin--and the melanin cells just below--so new skin can grow in.
Cost
MayoClinic.com advises that such procedures are cosmetic and therefore not usually covered by insurance, so you will probably have to pay for your age spot removal out-of-pocket. The Patient's Guide suggests that a single laser treatment on a small area of your skin might cost under $100, but this can vary depending on the dermatologist, what part of the country you live in and how many spots you are having removed.
Discomfort
Dermabrasion can cause redness and scabbing, according to MayoClinic.com, although both are temporary. Dr. Melton indicates that some lasers, particularly pulsed dye lasers, can cause bruising, and that some patients experience a slight stinging sensation when the laser light is applied. Laser treatment can cause redness as well, and possibly even swelling. While none of these side effects are particularly dangerous, you should take them into consideration when choosing a removal method.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter creams and lotions can be much less expensive than professional treatment, but MayoClinic.com warns that they are generally only successful in lightening age spots, not getting rid of them entirely. Because they have to penetrate your skin to do any good, you must apply them regularly, sometimes for months, before you begin to see results. They, too, can cause skin irritation after awhile.
Warnings
The most significant danger to any spot removal method is exposure to the sun afterward. This is especially true if you use any bleaching cream, either prescription or over-the-counter, that contains hydroquinone, tretinoin or steroids. MayoClinic.com also advises sun protection after chemical peels.
The Patient's Guide recommends seeing your doctor first before removing any spots. Only your physician can tell for sure if they are age spots or potentially cancerous. Once you have them removed, he will not be able to tell if you have a more serious problem. MayoClinic.com also urges that you have any treatment done by a professional who is specially trained in whatever method you choose.
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