Home Remedies – Age Spots

Age Spots

Age spots are not caused by age, nor are they a sign of aging. “Age spots are caused by overexposure to sunlight,” says Debra Price, M.D., dermatologist and clinical assis tant professor at the University of Miami’s department of der matology.

When continuously assaulted by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, the skin protects itself by stepping up production of a chemical hormone called melanin. Melanin makes the skin more pigmented, or darker, which blocks the dangerous UV light from penetrating too deeply into the vulnerable cells below the skin’s tough, outer surface. Unlike a suntan, however, age spots don’t fade away naturally.

Try This First

Screen your skin. Since exposure to sunlight is the primary cause of both age spots and melanomas, you need to get away from those damaging rays.

“Your first and most important line of therapy is to use a broad spectrum sunblock every day,” says Seth L. Matarasso, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco. “Sunblock not only will protect you against future spots but also it can lighten existing ones by preventing the sun from darkening them the same way it would the rest of your skin. This reduces the color contrast between your skin and the age spots.”

Your sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, dermatologists advise. Anything less will allow too many UV rays to penetrate.

Other Wise Ways

Try fading them away. Lightly pigmented spots can often be made even lighter, or sometimes removed, by bleaching preparations—what many people refer to as fade creams. Such products, which typically contain hydroquinone, interfere with your skin’s production of melanin. For many, hydroquinone can lighten spots to the point that they are either barely visible or easily hidden with a small amount of makeup, says Dr. Price.

Hydroquinone may irritate sensitive skin, so apply it to a small area beneath your chin the first day to see what reaction, if any, you might have. If you notice signs of redness, itching, or irritation, stop using it and contact your physician, she says.

Raze them from the surface. Exfoliating agents containing alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can loosen and remove darkened dead cells at the surface of your skin and promote the growth of new flesh-colored tissue. The most widely used AHA is glycolic acid, says Dr. Matarasso. It works for many people who have light brown spots.

Still, be careful when you apply such products. Even more than hydroquinone, glycolic acid can be irritating to sensitive skin. Start out by applying the exfoliant to a small area beneath your chin or some other less visible part of your neck or face. Wait a day to see if there is any sign of irritation or redness. If not, apply the lotion to your entire face, keeping it an inch or so away from your eyes. Very often, the lotion causes tingling of the skin that passes away within minutes, says Dr. Matarasso. Once it dries, apply a moisturizer and then a sunscreen with a moisturizing base.

Color them away. People often use AHAs for about two months before they see significant results. Some doctors recommend that while you are waiting for the glycolic acid to work, you can cover up the spots with a heavy foundation, such as Dermablend. They are available at many department stores. Salespeople can help you find the right shade to match your skin color.