Age Spots

 

 

Age spots, also known as liver spots and solar lentigines, these skin discolorations are usually a shade of brown or black and can vary in size. They most often appear in areas that are exposed to the sun (hands, face, arms and shoulders).

 

Though called age spots or liver spots, these brown spots are usually harmless and result from exposure to the sun over time. They are very common in people over the age of 35 and majority of adults can expect to experience skin age spots at some point during their lifetime.

 

Cause of Age Spots

 

Sun exposure is the overwhelming factor in the creation of age spots on the skin. Brown age spots usually occur more frequently in people with fair skin and are the result of hyperpigmentation. This is where the body increases the production of melanin (which is responsible for brown pigment of skin color) in response to prolonged exposure to the ultra-violet light given off by the sun.

 

This process is also responsible for causing the skin to tan. Age spots occur when the melanin groups together in higher concentrations than the surrounding skin.

 

To a lesser degree, hereditary factors play a roll in the development of age spots over time. It is also important to note that not only sun damaged skin is subject to these brown spots. Use of tanning salons and other artificial tanning lights can also accelerate the process.

 

Age Spot Treatment

 

Most people seek treatment for age-spots for purely cosmetic reasons. A number of skin treatments are available to fade age spots or even remove them entirely through the use of skin lightening products, microdermabrasion treatments and laser skin rejuvenation. Skin bleaching, Cryotherapy and deep chemical peels are also used to reduce age spots.

 

Age Spot Cream - These products vary in strength and effectiveness. Hydroquinone cream which is known as a skin bleaching agent, is often used to lighten age spots and can be strengthened when it is added with tretinoin. Over the counter solutions normally contain alphahydroxy acids such as glycolic or kojic acid. These are likely to be less effective than a prescription strength cream and normally take longer to achieve the desired fading.

 

Laser Skin Treatment - Laser skin rejuvenation and laser skin peels are two methods that use laser light to dissolve the excess pigmentation that is trapped in the derma causing uneven skin tone and are an effective way to get rid of age spots. Laser removal of age spots are medical procedures and should be performed by a licensed physician. They also require some recovery time since the skin is made raw during treatment. Multiple treatments may also be needed to remove age spots.

 

Microdermabrasion Treatments - Also known as dermaplaning, this procedure essentially uses an abrasive and rotating brushes to remove the layers of the skin where discoloration is taking place. The new layers of skin that are generated are free from blemishes. This treatment is relatively harsh on the skin and can cause temporary scabbing but is an effective age spot remover.

 

Chemical Peels - This treatment involves the use of chemicals (usually alphahydroxy acid, betahydroxy acid or phenol) to cause a mild chemical burn on the skin. The affected skin then blisters and peels off and remove discoloration caused by age-spots. Depending on the potency or "depth" of the peel, multiple treatments may be needed. It is very important to protect the skin from the sun after having a chemical peel.

 

Cryotherapy - This involves freezing the skin by applying liquid nitrogen or other extremely cold fluid onto the skin. This procedure is used on a more localized basis for age spot removal and only on a few dark spots at a time. It is also important to note that there is a risk that scars may result from cryotherapy treatment and you should consult your physician prior to using this method to treat age spots to avoid skin infections.

 

Pure lemon juice and its extracts are powerful exfoliants. Use directly on skin (non-sensitive skin) twice a day using a cotton ball or scrubbing pad to rejuvenate skin and help reduce the appearance of age spots and discoloration.