How do you get rid of age spots?
If you have noticed kind of a large dark mark that is similar to a freckle on the skin, that’s probably a age spot.
Age spots, also called liver spots occur on sun-exposed areas causing flat brown, gray, or black spots on the skin. It’s common that more than one spots appear on the skin.
Here’s everything that you need to know about age spots:
Possible Causes:
- Age spots tend to happen due to an excess production of melanin, or skin pigment.
- It can be hereditary; you may have a higher chance of age spots to appear if your family have them too.
- Skin aging is another cause, UV light exposure, such as tanning and sun exposure.
Symptoms to put an eye on:
- Age spots are flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation.
- Age spots range from light brown to black in color. They may darken after time in the sun.
- Can occur in group together, making them more noticeable
- The spots have the same texture as the rest of your skin. They typically appear on sun-exposed areas.
- Age spots can vary from the size of a very small freckle to an inch in diameter.
- Age spots are typically round or oval, with very defined.
Age spots can happen on skin that has had the most sun exposure over the years, such as the backs of hands, tops of feet, face, shoulders and upper back.
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Candidates at risk for age spots:
While anyone can develop age spots, they tend to appear in people with certain skin conditions, such as:
- People older than 40 years old
- People with fair skin
- People frequently exposed to sun or tanning
Options for Age Spots Treatment.
Medical Prescriptions:
A dermatologist may prescribe bleaching creams to help fade the age spots gradually. These creams usually contain hydroquinone and sometimes retinoids, such as tretinoin. Applying prescription bleaching creams might gradually fade the spots over several months. Just keep in mind that these creams might cause temporary itching, redness, burning or dryness and the skin can get more sensitive to UV damage. Therefore, it’s essential to wear sunscreen at all times, both during treatment and afterward, all year round.
Medical Treatments:
Since the pigment is located at the base of the epidermis there are treatments available to lighten or remove age spots.
You should ask your dermatologist or skin care professional about which treatment may be most effective for your skin. However, here it a list of a number of medical treatments available for age spots reduction:
Chemical peels:
A dermatologist may prescribe bleaching creams to help fade the age spots gradually. These creams usually contain hydroquinone and sometimes retinoids, such as tretinoin. Applying prescription bleaching creams might gradually fade the spots over several months. Just keep in mind that these creams might cause temporary itching, redness, burning or dryness and the skin can get more sensitive to UV damage. Therefore, it’s essential to wear sunscreen at all times, both during treatment and afterward, all year round.
Medical Microneedling:
It can help improve the appearance of dark or age spots on the skin. The collagen therapy results in the creation of newer skin cells that are healthier, this process breaks up melanin in the skin absorbing it into the body, so it is an effective treatment for age spots. After this procedure, your skin will likely appear red and swollen, and it can take from 3 days to 1 week for skin to fully heal.
Laser treatment
This treatment works by using a focused beam of light that has a specific target to break up and eliminate the pigment particles in the skin. Side effects include temporary darkening of the spot. After treatment, you’ll need to keep the area clean and hydrate the area thoroughly.
Microdermabrasion
This procedure smooths away the outer layer of skin by exfoliating the skin and destroying skin tissue. Microdermabrasion is best for milder age spots conditions, since the results are moderate. It involves little to no recovery time, but you’ll want to stay hydrated and keep your skin moisturized afterward.
Wearing sunscreen every day is essential, especially after any skin treatments or procedures are done. This step is important not only to protect the skin but also to help the skin healing after the treatment and preventing age spots to reappear.
These age spot treatments are done in a doctor’s office or medical Spa. The length of each procedure and the time it takes to see results varies according to the treatment and require from 3 to 4 months.
Also, you need to discuss your post care instructions carefully with your professional skin care specialist who specializes in skin types and conditions. Also, make sure that the professional you choose is specially trained and experienced in the field
Preventing age spots
While you can’t always prevent some skin conditions, you can follow some steps to avoid age spots to happen or develop:
- Avoid sun exposure, especially when the sun’s rays are most intense.
- Wear sunscreen every day. It should have a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 30 and contain both UVA and UVB protection. Reapply every 2 hours if needed.
- Follow a skincare routine customized to your skin type and needs.
- Visit a Skincare Specialist frequently to have your skin health in shape.
At Renew Esthetics Medical SPA, we have the treatments that include any of the procedures above, however, in order to provide a personalized package, we invite you to an initial consultation so our skincare experts can evaluate and determine the best course of the treatment that suits your needs.
We are the best Medical Spa in Astoria NY!
IDALIS BAILEY
Medical Facial Expert
Nurse, MBA – Marketing, NYS Licensed Medical Aesthetician & Certified Laser with more of 15 Years Experience
