Age spots, also called liver spots, are marks on the skin that appear due to long periods of sun exposure. If you’re interested in how to get rid of age spots, you can remove them for cosmetic purposes, but this procedure is not necessary. You can remove age spots using home remedies and medical treatment options. However, before you get suggestions on how to get rid of age spots, you should make an appointment with your dermatologist to make sure the age spots are not a sign of skin cancer.
Below are some practical tips for removing age spots and keeping these spots for developing on your skin.
What Are Age Spots?
Sun spots are flat patches of dark skin. They don’t cause any pain and are usually harmless. Exposure to UV radiation is the primary cause of age spot development which is brought on by the production of melanin. When the body is producing melanin at a high rate, the chance of having age spots is higher. The darker the age spots are, the more difficult it will be to remove the spots.
Age spots are more likely to form on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun the most, such as the face, the backs of the hands, forearms, shoulders, and upper back.
People over the age of 40 are more likely to develop age spots than younger people. However, younger adults and even teenagers can get age spots if they spend too much time in the sun without proper protection. Age spots are also more common in people with lighter skin.
Treating Age Spots at Home
There are a few over-the-counter treatments in the form of lotions and creams that can help you get rid of age spots. These products will fade your age spots by lightening your skin. For best results, it’s best to look for products that contain ingredients like glycolic acid, 2% hydroquinone, azelaic acid, retinoid, kojic acid, and vitamin C.
Are Age Spot Removal Products Effective?
Products that bleach the skin, such as hydroquinone, can effectively treat age spots in some instances. Hydroquinone is not safe for seborrheic keratoses, which is a specific type of age spot.
Many dermatologists assert that many people will see results about a month after using hydroquinone. However, it is best to stop the treatment if you don’t see any improvement after about 12 weeks. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that people with age spots may need to apply hydroquinone up to twice a day for several weeks or even a few months before seeing results. If you have age spots, your dermatologist may also prescribe a stronger cream that may be more effective.
The Safety of Age Spot Treatments
Before you purchase a product to lighten your skin and get rid of age spots, you should know that some ingredients can cause side effects. Hydroquinone can use skin irritation for some people, so test a small amount of the product on your skin before you apply it to your entire face, arms, or legs. It is also important to know that skin lighteners with mercury can cause nerve and kidney damage.
Steer clear of skin lightening creams that contain quicksilver, cinnabaris, calomel, or hydragyrioxydum rubrum as well, along with any creams or lotions that have a derivative of mercury in them since these ingredients could be harmful to your health.
Medical Treatment for Age Spots
There are several medical teratments for treating age spots, such as microdermabrasion, which removes the top layer of skin and helps to even the skin tone. You may need a series of these treatments to see significant results. If you only have a few age spots, about five treatments may work well. However, for intense or multiple age spots, you could receive up to 16 treatments for best results. After your treatments, your skin will be especially sensitive so you should avoid going out in the sun as much as possible.
Cryotherapy is another method that can effectively get rid of age spots as well. Cold substances like nitrogen are used to freeze the age spots. The nitrogen is applied directly to the skin using a cotton swab. Cryotherapy eliminates pigment and reveals lighter skin in the treated area after some time. You may develop a blister or have minor pain after this treatment; be sure to Tello your dermatologist if you have a severe reaction.
Ekstata
If you’ve tried over-the-counter and medical treatments but haven’t gotten the result you want, you may want to try Ekstata, a recently FDA-approved treatment. This intense treatment could help you get the complexion you want by getting rid of your age spots quickly.
During the procedure, the doctor will apply a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution to each age spot four times in a span of four minutes. The solution moistens the age spots and help dissolve the spots without damaging the rest of the skin around the spot. You may need several treatments for the age spots to go away complete especially if your age spots or especially dark or large. Monitor your skin to ensure there is no scabbing or skin irritation.
Practical tips for Age Spots
To keep more age spots from developing, you should avoid being exposed to the sun for long periods of time. When you are outside in the sun, make sure you wear clothing that shields your skin from UV rays, and wear a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses to protect your face. You should also choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30to keep your skin safe. Your sunscreen should also offer broad-spectrum protection and be water-resistant so that you’ll still be protected if you sweat or go swimming.
Dermatologists recommend using clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label to ensure your skin is safe from the sun. Staying in the shade when you’re outside in warm weather can protect your skin as well. You should also stay away from tanning beds since tanning in this way can increase the likelihood of developing age spots. These tips are ideal for both preventing and treating age spots especially since age spots can return even after receiving treatment.
Again, it’s important to remember that age spots will not compromise your health. However, it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between age spots and skin cancer. See your dermatologist right away if you’re concerned about a new spot that has developed on your skin.
FAQ
If you need to know how to get rid of age spots, you can use natural products like Aloe vera gel and cocoa butter to even your skin tone and improve the overall health of your complexion. Shielding the skin from the harmful effects of the sun can also help to clear up age spots and prevent new ones from forming.
When you need remedies for how to get rid of age spots on face, the quickest way to improve your complexion is to meet with a dermatologist who can give you specific treatments for your face. Your dermatologist may be able to perform specific treatments on your skin during your visit or get a prescription for a cleanser or cream that can fade your age spots.
If you’ve noticed spots on your skin after spending time in the sun, you may be wondering how do you get rid of age spots in a simple and effective way. Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy for soothing and cleansing the skin while improving the appearance of the skin. Using the vinegar as a toner after cleansing the face can help fade age spots and remove toxins from the skin that lead to blemishes.
Tretinoin is one of the best age spots removers on the market but you have to get a prescription from your dermatologist. Other products that contain vitamin C and turmeric, as well as serums and moisturizers that are free of toxins and parabens may also be effective for getting rid of age spots.
If you want to know how to get rid of age spots naturally, apple cider vinegar is likely one of the options you’ve considered. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which helps remove bacteria from the skin. This natural ingredient is safe to use daily and you can add it to your skincare regimen in you’re trying to keep breakouts away while you remove age spots.
