3 Treatment Options For Age Spots

AIf you spent time in the sun when you were younger, chances are that in your 30s and beyond you will begin to see dark spots appearing on your skin. Age spots, also known as sun spots, are not physically harmful but can certainly be annoying and difficult to cover up with makeup. Luckily, there are treatment options available that can help rid your face of pesky age spots. Here are a few to try:

Prescription Topical Treatments

For stubborn age spots, prescription creams and serums from a dermatologist tend to be much more effective than anything you can buy off the shelf at the drugstore. One popular option is prescription serums containing hydroquinone as the active ingredient. Hydroquinone lightens age spots and can also help prevent new ones from forming. Prescription retinoids, which accelerate your skin's natural process of cell regeneration, can also be helpful with age spots, as well as helping to fade wrinkles.

Just be sure to follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Prescription topical treatments can be quite strong. Your dermatologist will most likely suggest that you start off using a small amount every few days to allow your skin to adjust and avoid irritation.

Chemical Peels

Another great option for age spots as well as a host of other skin problems is to get a series of chemical peels at your dermatologist's office. Chemical peels use chemical exfoliation from glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, or other ingredients to gently lift away old, damaged skin cells. After a series of chemical peels, your skin should be younger-looking and more even, and your age spots should be significantly faded. 

Laser Facials

Finally, your dermatologist may suggest laser treatments, especially if your age spots are very deep and hard to get rid of. The laser facial will send targeted light particles to your sun spots, where they work to break up the extra pigment. Your skin may peel afterward, and it is also common for the sunspots to darken and form a crust before sloughing away to reveal unblemished skin underneath.

Remember to wear sunblock and try your best to stay out of the sun during the hottest times of day in order to help prevent future age spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Most treatment options for age spots make your skin even more vulnerable to sun damage, so it's important to be diligent with a high SPF sunblock.

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