Age Spots : How to Prevent them

Every birthday brings with it a fair share of small dark spots on the skin. This is a result of sun exposure as and when one age. Normally seen around the age of 50, they can also arrive early in some cases, if a lot of time is spent in the sun. There are many things one can do to get rid of these spots. Let’s see what they are:

Home remedies & prescriptions from practitioners:

Prescriptions are given by certified skincare providers to treat these spots.
They facilitate in fading these age spots within few months. One should always apply sunscreen, more so when these treatments are on. SPF (sun protection factor) is the minimum that one needs to apply for good sun protection.
Some medication may come with a fair share of side effects such as temporary burning, itching, dryness, or redness.
Though it is not a great idea to buy over-the-counter fade creams one may look for those that contain hydroquinone, glycolic acid, and kojic acid. However its important to consult a skin specialist before starting any kind of medication.

Day-care or in-clinic treatments:

For results quicker than these creams, dermatologists have skincare procedures. They are:
Laser and intense pulsed light therapy. The laser destroys melanin-producing cells (these cells cause a change in color). The best bit is that they do not harm the skin surface. Though, they might require a few sittings. This will yield results over a few months or weeks. But, this also requires some self-care from the patient in the form of regular use of sunscreen.

Freezing (cryotherapy):

This treatment uses freezing solutions such as liquid nitrogen. This is applied with the help of a cotton-tipped swab on the skin. This gives results in the form of destruction of age spots. Normally for single or a group of age spots with side effects such as discoloration and skin irritation which may be temporary.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion:

This process is similar to using a sand-paper on the wall. This actually works on the upper layer of the skin with a fast-spinning brush that feels like soft sandpaper. This removes the upper layers and a new layer of skin comes that is age spot-free.
Temporary redness and scabbing are some side effects that patients experience. This process is to be avoided by those who have rosacea.

Chemical Peel:

Peels can be of varying intensity depending on the nature of the spots. They remove the top layer of the skin and new skin grows. This requires more than one sitting for the best results.
The substance used is a chemical mostly acid that is safe for the skin.

Skincare for prevention of age spots:

Avoid prolonging exposure to the sun. Avoid tanning beds. Try to live with them if they don’t bother you as they are harmless. However, a regular check-up is advised as it’s difficult to tell age spots from skin cancer. Regular check-ups and visits to the dermatologist’s clinic can help prevent and keep age spots in check.