Age spots, also known as liver spots, brown spots, or solar lentigines, are flat, brown or black spots that appear on the skin as we age. They are caused by prolonged sun exposure and are most commonly found on areas of the skin that receive the most sun, such as the face, hands, and arms. For the most part, they aren’t harmful. But they can be an eye sore and they’re relatively simple to get rid of. Here’s our ultimate guide to every treatment that effectively removes age spots.
Sunscreen
The best place to start is prevention. Avoiding age spots in the first place is all about protecting your skin from the sun. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Before your sunscreen, add an antioxidant serum to combat free radicals that can lead to UV damage.
Lightening creams
Hydroquinone is a common ingredient in lightening creams that can help to fade age spots. These creams work by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to your skin. They are available over the counter or by prescription and can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients, such as retinoids or glycolic acid.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a type of exfoliation treatment that uses a chemical solution to remove the top layers of skin. They can help to lighten age spots and improve the overall appearance of the skin, but we have one that specifically targets age spots called the Brightening Peel, and just a series with this peel will yield incredible results. And the best part? You won’t actually see much (if any) peeling skin during recovery. There are several types of chemical peels, ranging from mild to deep, and the type of peel chosen will depend on the severity of the age spots and the desired results.
Laser treatments
Laser treatments, such as IPL (intense pulsed light) or Fraxel, use targeted beams of light to remove the top layers of skin and stimulate collagen production. They can be effective at fading age spots and improving the overall appearance of the skin. Forever Young BBL is one of our patient-favorites for age spots, specifically because this laser has one focus only: targeting brown pigment and lightening it.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells. It is often used to treat age spots, warts, and other skin imperfections. While it isn’t typically our first step in treating age spots, it is highly effective.
No matter which treatment you choose, it is important to protect your skin from the sun to prevent new age spots from forming. In addition to wearing sunscreen, you should also wear protective clothing, such as a hat and long sleeves, when you are outside for extended periods of time.
Want to get rid of your age spots? Contact our office today at 561.805.9399 or info@supriyamd.com if you haven’t seen the results you want from your home skincare routine. Dr. Tomar can help you determine the best treatment option for your skin and ensure that you are using the right products and techniques.
