Dark brown age spots sometimes appear on the face, hands and any other area of skin that has been exposed to the sun over the course of a lifetime. There are several treatments available to eliminate or reduce the appearance of age spots, including surgery, skin peels and topical creams and gels.
Identification
Age spots, which are sometimes called liver spots or sun spots, are a result of years of sun damage to the skin and usually appear after the age of 40. They are flat, with irregular edges, and are often dark brownish-black but can also be light or medium brown.
Function
Age spots are a result of sun damage to the skin but they are not dangerous to your health. Since age spots are permanent unless treated, treatment is performed for cosmetic reasons to improve the appearance of the skin. All treatments used to fade age spots are able to penetrate the depth of the top layer of skin, which is where age spots reside.
Types
Microdermabrasion treatments and mild skin peels are used to fade age spots on the face. Laser treatment similar to that used to remove tattoos can be used to treat age spots on the hand and face. Topical treatments for age spots include hydroquinone cream, a bleaching cream that is available over the counter and in prescription strength; tretinoin cream or gel, a prescription medication originally developed to treat acne and later used to treat premature aging of the skin; and adapalene gel, also used to treat acne but sometimes prescribed off-label for age spots.
Prevention
Blocking the sun with protective clothing, staying out of intense midday sun and using sunscreen on your skin throughout your life will help prevent age spots. These techniques will also help prevent age spots from reoccurring after treatment.
Warning
Age spots can be treated by dermatologists and aestheticians. Since some cancerous lesions may appear similar to age spots, it is best to have a medical doctor check your skin prior to treatment to be sure any pigment changes you experience are not malignant.
Considerations
Treatments for age spots vary in cost and may not be covered by your health insurance because they are considered cosmetic treatments that are not medically necessary.
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