Age Spot Removal

If you’ve loved sitting in the sun all your life, you may be paying for that indulgence now as you age. Those little brown spots on your face and hands could be causing you distress. Perhaps you cover them up with makeup or maybe you’ve asked your dermatologist about removing those spots. Age spot removal is one option you may consider so you don’t have to cover them up with makeup on a daily basis. Age spots, also known as solar lentigines, are brown or gray areas that typically plague the face and hands, but can also appear on the neck, chest and shoulders. They may be called age spots, but they occur as a result of sun damage. As you get older, you’ll notice more and more of these popping up over time.

It’s best to seek out a dermatologist for the best age spot removal therapy for you and your particular skin type. Many can offer prescription-strength retinol and HQ creams, which are typically more effective than over-the-counter products for age spot treatment. Dermatologists also use microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser age spot removal and light therapy to lessen the appearance of those areas, or get rid of them altogether. Sometimes it takes just one age spot treatment to do the trick, while other times you may need to go back for a few more sessions of laser age spot removal procedures. This can all be done right in the office.

There are ways to lessen the appearance of age spots from the comfort of your home. You can try an OTC hydroquinone (HQ) preparation, which reduces the production of melanin in your skin. They’re typically used to treat melasma or other irregular pigmentations in the skin, but you can ask your doctor about using these products for age spots. Get your age spots checked once a year by your dermatologist to ensure they are not changing in color, size, shape, or texture. If you notice changes like these at home between appointments, call your skin specialist immediately.