What are Age Spots and How Do You Get Rid of Them?

One of the most common skin conditions that people can get are age spots. Age spots are small marks on the skin of the body, which typically appear to be brownish or grey. They are generally bigger than freckles and at times could be mistaken for moles.

Age spots are not necessarily directly caused by the aging of the body, but instead occur due to prolonged sun exposure over a long period of time. The likelihood that you will get age spots increases considerably if you spend a lot of time in the sun without wearing sunscreen. Overall skin pigmentation and genetics also play a part in determining whether or not your get age spots and how significant they are.

Age spots typically show up on the hands, face, and neck, which are three areas of the body that are most commonly exposed to the sun. In most cases, age spots are not something to worry about, but can still look unattractive on your skin. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to help get rid of your age spots and prevent them from coming back.

The most effective way to get rid of your age spots is to work with a dermatologist to have a minor procedure completed. Dermatologists have a wide range of methods that they follow to help get rid of age spots. Some of the most common include chemical peels, laser treatment, and light therapy. These treatments, which are completely cosmetic and safe procedures, can drastically lighten age spots to the point where they are no longer visible by the naked eye.

While there are plenty of procedures that could help to lighten age spots, there are some at-home treatments that could be followed as well. The most popular treatments include using hydroquinone products, which are available without a prescription. These products encourage melanin production in your skin, which can then help to bring the skin back to its natural color. This will ultimately lighten the age spots.

Going forward, it would also be a good idea to take preventative measures to prevent the age spots from coming back. Those that have suffered from age spots in the past are far more likely to get them going forward. Therefore, you should try to limit the amount of time that you spend in the sun. When you are in the sun, you should always wear plenty of sunscreen on any area of the body that is not covered.

While age spots are not normally something to be concerned about, you do need to keep your eye on the spots. You should have a dermatologist look at your spots at least once every year and should immediately notify the doctor if you notice a change in the spot’s color or size.