What are age spots—and what causes them?
Also known as liver spots, sun spots, or solar lentigines, age spots are extra specks of pigment caused by too much exposure to the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays, explains Noelani González, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai West in New York.
How to find the right age spot remover for You?
Finding the right age spot remover is about striking the right balance of efficiency and gentleness on your skin. More gradual formulas, like this Vitamin C serum tend to be safer and provide longer-lasting results.
Is whitening Labs better than other age spot removers?
However, they can be drying or irritating to your skin as a result since most age spot removers are acidic. Meanwhile, creams like Whitening Labs are gentler and more soothing on your skin, but they’re often more diluted and therefore not as effective.
What are the side effects of age spot removal?
Some people need more than one treatment in order to dissolve an age spot completely, especially if it’s large or very dark. There are few adverse side effects with this treatment, the most common being mild skin irritation and scabbing.
What permanently removes age spots?
Laser and intense pulsed light. Some laser and intense pulsed light therapies destroy melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) without damaging the skin's surface. These approaches typically require two to three sessions. Wounding (ablative) lasers remove the top layer of skin (epidermis).
What is the number one age spot remover?
Best Overall: Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum It's gentle enough to be used twice a day and can be applied to lighten age spots on your face, neck, and chest.
Can you get rid of age spots on your hands?
Intense-pulsed light (IPL) “Hands down, the easiest and most effective option for age spots is IPL,” says Anthony Youn, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and author of The Age Fix. “This destroys the pigment, causing the age spot to turn darker and slough off after about a week,” he explains.
How does hydrogen peroxide remove age spots?
During this treatment, a doctor will apply highly concentrated liquid hydrogen peroxide to each age spot four times over four minutes. The hydrogen peroxide helps moisten age spots to dissolve them without damaging surrounding skin.
What is the strongest dark spot remover?
Best Dark Spot CorrectorsDr. ... Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector, $15.It Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots 4% Niacinamide Serum, $29.Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum, $72 to $75.Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment, $88.Skinfix Correct+ Dark Spot Corrector, $60.More items...•
Is there a dark spot remover that really works?
“Differin is really effective because it contains 2 percent hydroquinone, which is a powerful FDA-approved ingredient that interferes with melanin production in order to lighten dark spots,” says Dr. Engleman. At a 2 percent concentration, this is the most powerful hydroquinone you can get over the counter.
Can apple cider vinegar get rid of age spots?
Reduces age spots Regular use of apple cider vinegar can reduce age spots. The alpha hydroxy acids present in it will make your skin healthy and remove dead skin. Mix apple cider vinegar and water in 1:1 ratio and wash your face with it. You can also use a cotton ball to apply this solution on your face.
How can I remove dark spots at home permanently?
Nov 21, 2020. Home remedies to get rid of dark spots. ... Potato. Grate a potato and mix it with 1 teaspoon honey. ... Buttermilk. Take 4 teaspoons of buttermilk and mix it with 2 teaspoons of tomato juice. ... Lemon juice. Squeeze out some fresh lemon juice and rub it on your dark spots. ... Oatmeal. ... Milk. ... Aloe vera. ... Turmeric.More items...•
What is the fastest way to get rid of age spots?
If you want to get rid of dark spots fast, a procedure that removes layers of discolored skin may work better than a lightening cream. These techniques include laser treatments, freezing (cryotherapy), dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and chemical peels.
Does baking soda get rid of age spots?
Baking soda and lemon, both these home ingredients contain bleaching properties which can help to fade away the dark spots on the face. It helps to lighten the spots and also promotes healthy and glowing skin.
What does it mean when your skin turns white after using hydrogen peroxide?
Why does hydrogen peroxide turn white on the skin? Hydrogen peroxide turns white because of a chemical reaction that occurs when it comes into contact with the skin. The solution oxidizes, and the resulting oxygen bubbles create a white, foamy appearance.
How long does it take for apple cider vinegar to lighten dark spots?
Take one part of apple cider vinegar and one part of onion juice and mix them. Dab a cotton pad into the solution and apply it directly onto the age spots. Leave this on the skin for a minimum of 30 minutes. Repeat this once a day for approximately six weeks, and you should begin to notice a gradual improvement.
What is the best treatment for age spots?
The most popular at-home treatments are over-the-counter hydroquinone (HQ) preparations. These products inhibit melanin production in the skin. But they tend to be more effective for treating melasma or hormonally induced irregular pigmentations than for treating true age spots.
How many treatments do you need to lighten age spots?
Some of these procedures require just one treatment; others take two or three sessions.
What are age spots on the face?
Age spots, technically known as "solar lentigines," are well-defined, uniformly colored areas of brown or grayish pigment that generally show up on the hands, face, neck, and chest.
Can age spots be caused by sun damage?
Despite the name, these spots are not caused by age. Rather, they come from sun damage. You can treat age spots several ways. Dermatologists have great results with prescription-strength retinol and HQ creams. These work faster than over-the-counter formulations.
What are age spots?
Age spots are marks that commonly appear on the skin after prolonged sun exposure. They are harmless, but some people wish to remove them for cosmetic reasons. Other names for age spots include solar lentigines and liver spots, though they have no connection to the liver. These marks are flat and darker than surrounding skin.
How to prevent age spots?
Other ways to protect the skin and prevent age spots include: reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours or after sweating or being in the water. covering the skin with a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, long trousers, and sunglasses. staying out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
How to prevent age spots from getting darker?
Apply the sunscreen to exposed skin 15 minutes before going outdoors. indicate that using an SPF 30 cream every day can also prevent age spots from getting darker in the spring and summer. staying out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
What is the best way to lighten age spots?
retinoids, such as tretinoin. cortisone. hydroquinone. These creams lighten spots gradually over time. They can sometimes irritate the skin, so it is best to discuss side effects with a doctor before deciding upon the right cream. Some cosmetic procedures can also lighten or remove age spots.
How big are age spots?
Age spots can develop singly or in clusters. They vary in size and may range from 0.2–2.0 centimeters in diameter . Age spots tend to form in people aged 40 and over, though they can also develop in younger people who frequently get sunburns or use tanning beds.
How to identify age spots?
A doctor will be able to identify age spots with a visual examination. They may use a dermatoscope, which is a hand-held magnifying tool that medical professionals use to examine areas of skin.
Can you use topical cream to remove age spots?
If a person wants to remove a confirmed age spot for cosmetic reasons, they have a variety of options. Topical creams can lighten age spots. However, avoid lighteners that contain mercury, as they may pose a serious health risk. A healthcare professional can prescribe a product that is safe.
Laser and intense pulsed light therapy
These treatments help destroy melanin-making cells (the cells that color age spots) without harming the surface of the skin. Typically, you’ll need to see your doctor two or three times for treatment.
Freezing (cryotherapy)
For this treatment, your doctor will apply liquid nitrogen or another freezing solution to your age spots using a cotton-tipped swab. This should destroy some of the color (pigment) of your age spots.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves planing (sanding down) the surface layer of your skin with a fast-spinning brush. This treatment removes the surface of the skin, allowing a new layer of skin to grow in its place.
Chemical peel
During a chemical peel, your doctor will apply acid to your face, which destroys the very outer layer of your skin down to your age spots. When the outer layer peels off, new skin will grow in to replace it.
Ekstata
This is an in-office treatment for age spots just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after a clinical trial.
What are age spots?
Get Rid of the Rest with Topical Cream. One unfortunate result of years of sun exposure is age spots — also known, for no good reason, as liver spots (they have absolutely nothing to do with the liver). Generally small and flat, these are usually brown, all of one shade, which may be anywhere from the color of dark coffee to light tan.
What age do you get a brown tan?
They tend to appear in people over the age of 40, most commonly on skin that’s been most exposed to sun — the face, arms, backs of the hands and shoulders.
Who is Audrey Kunin?
Dr. Kunin is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, associa te clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Kansas Medical School, the founder and president of DERMAdoctor.com and author of DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual (Simon & Schuster). www.DermaDoctor.com.
How to stop age spots?
Use high SPF sunscreen. Sun damage is the leading trigger of age spots so stopping sun damage is the best thing you can do to stop age spots. 30 SPF is ideal and getting a separate one for face and body will help prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
How to prevent age spots on hydroquinone?
Use a high SPF sunscreen during the day for the duration of your hydroquinone treatment. Stick with the sunscreen after to prevent age spots in the future. When your age spots have disappeared, stop using hydroquinone. Switch to a safer, gentler alternative like the Gold Bond cream to maintain age spot-free skin.
What is the best way to remove age spots?
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Vitamin C serums like InstaNatural are one of the more popular age spot removers because they work by blocking tyrosinase, the enzyme that triggers excess melanin production in response to scars or frequent sun exposure.
Does Terez and Honor dark spot fade?
Lighter age spots will disappear, but the darker spots will probably only fade a little. The rich moisturization effects and the mild dark spot correction make this a great addition to your routine, but you’ll probably want to invest in a more concentrated serum like Terez & Honor for more serious dark spot correction.
Does 4-butylresorcinol help with age spots?
The 4-Butylresorcinol reverses hyperpigmentation and new age spots from appearing by blocking the melanin production process. Then, your overall skin tone is evened out and brightened by the salicylic acid, lactic acid, and kojic acid.
Can you remove age spots?
Age spots are a common occurrence as we get older, but with proper care and management it is possible to minimize or even erase them. However, when shopping for an age spot remover, you’ll see loads of harsh bleaching creams with serious side effects, alongside mild formulas that don’t provide real results.
Does ferulic acid help fade age spots?
The stars of the show are retinol and ferulic acid. These ingredients will gradually fade your age spots while giving you overall brighter skin. The aloe and shea provide deep moisturization so that the retinol and antioxidant blend can get to work on your age spots without irritating your skin.
