Age Spots

One common aging sign for many people over the age of 55 is age spots. Some people call them liver spots and a more scientific name is solar lentigines. Whatever you call them, they are ugly. The spots can be various shades of brown, red or even black and are most often found on your hands, arms, face and shoulders.

Age spots are formed when too much melanin, the pigment in our skin, pools together to form deposits that darken over time. They are visible indications of free radical destruction in your body.

Like most visible signs of aging, these spots are caused by too much sun exposure. If you spent a lot of time laying out at the beach or working outside you will probably get sunspots later in life. The best prevention is to wear sunscreen when you are outside. It will help keep your skin from getting leathery and spotted as you age.

Photo Courtesy of Julie70

But what if it’s too late. You already have sunspots. There are several ways to lighten or remove them. I think some of them are too harsh, but you can see for yourself.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Liquid nitrogen therapy (also called freezing or cryotherapy) – Basically, liquid nitrogen is applied to the area and destroys the extra pigment. As the area heals, it will turn white and lighten. Side effects include stinging sensation on the skin (it’s -325 degrees), permanent scarring or white spots.
• Skin sanding (also known as dermabrasion) – This procedures uses a rapidly rotating brush (sort of like a sander) that removes the surface layer of the skin. When new skin grows back, the spots should be gone. Side effects include temporary scab formation (like brush burns) and redness.
• Chemical Peels – An acid is applied to the skin which burns the outer layer of skin (including the age spot) As your skin heals, new skin is formed. Side effects include the same as above, redness and scaring. Chemical peels are almost always done by a doctor or dermatologist due to the harsh chemicals that are involved.
• Laser treatments – This is one of the safer and more precise methods for dealing with sunspots. The laser can remove the pigment without damaging the surrounding skin. There are fewer side effects and less healing time. One “side effect” is that laser treatment can be expensive, and most insurances don’t cover cosmetic procedures.
• Bleaching – Some people prefer to use a bleaching solution such as hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is mainly for those with fair skin not for people with darker skin tones. Side effects include skin irritation and redness. Also the treated area cannot be exposed to sunlight for some time.
• Age Spot Creams – A slower, albeit safer method of lightening the spots is through a cream. There are many on the market, each with different ingredients that may lighten the spots. Alpha Hydroxy Acid has been found to be effective in lightening sunspots. Retinoids have also been a common treatment. Kojic acid, mandelic acid, and vitamin C are also ingredients that make up various treatment creams.

  A newer ingredient on the market is called SymWhite, which has been shown to be more effective than some of the other active ingredients previously used.

I’ve just started using a brightener on my hands and face that contain SymWhite. Although I don’t have any age spots yet, I want to take precautions and keep them from forming. You can read more about these brighteners here.

Photo Courtesy of McBeth

NOTE

Please note that age spots are simply excess pigment, however in some cases, melanoma might mistakenly be called sunspots. If you see spots that look different from the others on your body or increase in size or are very dark, please consult your doctor or a dermatologist. It’s better to ere on the side of caution.

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