Age Spots: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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One of the drawbacks of the aging process on your skin can be the appearance of age spots. While the pigment in your skin is produced by melanin, any exposure to ultraviolet or UV light accelerates melanin production. At the same time, the aging process itself can also increase the production of melanin. Age spots are also known as liver spots or sun spots.

Table of contents

Causes & Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Medical Procedures

 

Causes and Symptoms

Too much exposure to the sun. Sunlight is very beneficial but over exposure can lead to sunburn. Protect those vulnerable areas (the face and the hands) by keeping them shaded from the sun. A selenium deficiency can be another cause. Selenium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in protecting cells from free radicals. Raw Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium. 

Another reason can be a deficiency in potassium. This can be avoided by including potassium-rich foods in your diet - apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, dates, figs, kiwi fruit and melons. A healthier lifestyle will always help with improving any type of unwanted condition so, along with those fresh fruits, include as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible while making sure to drink plenty of pure, filtered water to keep the system cleansed. Always make a conscious effort to avoid or eliminate processed foods, junk and fast foods, sodas, sweets, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

How to Identify Age Spots

Age spots are usually harmless but, with any skin condition that changes in appearance, it is advisable to have these changes checked by a dermatologist or doctor. For example, age spots becoming irregularly shaped, itchy, tender or even growing larger should be checked. An unusual combination of colors is something else to look out for. Common in age spots is dryness, roughness and even thinning of the skin where they occur. If your medical practitioner is worried that a dark area is not an age spot, he/she may perform a biopsy. A small piece of skin will be removed and checked for any abnormalities.

Customer submitted age spots picture

Treatment of Age Spots

Many people find age spots unsightly and would like to have them removed, particularly when there is dryness, roughness and even thinning of the skin at the site of the age spot. You don't have to live with age spots if you would rather not. There are several methods for such removal including chemical peel, dermabrasion, electrosurgery, laser treatment, cryotherapy - or you can go for a more natural, gentler route which can be less expensive and risky but still come with successful results. Over the counter or prescription bleaching creams are not recommended because of their harshness to skin and even dangerous toxins. There is no need to accept age spots as inevitable. 

Medical Procedures 

There are several medical procedures that can treat age spots. As any medical procedure can carry a risk of side effects, you need to ask your medical practitioner what these are. Medical procedures for age spots include:

Laser treatment to destroy the cells that produce melanin. Chemical peels burn the outer layer of your skin, allowing new skin to grow in its place. Dermabrasion which sands off the outer layers of the skin so new skin can grow. Cryosurgery which freezes age spots with liquid nitrogen.

Some women will use cosmetics to successfully conceal age spots but it is not recommended to use over-the-counter or prescription bleaching creams because they can be harsh and even toxic to the skin. Bleaching creams usually take several months to fade age spots. During this time of use, your skin will be even more sensitive to UV damage.

A Safer and More Gentle Alternative Age Spot Remover

Healing Natural Oils has produced the H-Age Spots Formula to diminish the appearance of age spots quickly by evening out skin tone and working to fade those dark spots. The formula has the highest quality homeopathic ingredients and natural essential oils (extracted from plants), allowing for deep penetration and to assist in balancing skin tone to get a more even tone without the use of harmful additives or chemicals.

How H-Age Spots Reduces the appearance of Age Spots

The H-Age Spots formula contains a variety of ingredients designed to help reduce the appearance of age spots. These ingredients include:

• Thuja Occidentalis: A homeopathic ingredient used for its skin-balancing properties.
• Corylus Avellana (Hazelnut) Nut Oil: Known for its moisturizing benefits.
• Essential Oil Blend:
  • Citrus Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil
  • Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil: Rich in antioxidants
  • Lavandula Officinalis (Lavender) Flower Bud Oil
  • Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Seed Oil
  • Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil

These ingredients work together to moisturize, nourish, and improve the skin's appearance by targeting age spots and uneven skin tone. The essential oils provide a natural way to lighten the appearance of dark spots, while the base oils ensure the skin remains hydrated and healthy-looking

Finally, any unwanted skin condition will improve and benefit with a healthier lifestyle. Include plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and other whole foods in your diet while making sure to drink plenty of pure, filtered water to keep the system cleansed. Avoid, eliminate or at least limit processed foods, junk and fast foods, sodas, sweets, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

Recent advancements in age spots treatment

Recent research has introduced several promising treatments for age spots (solar lentigines), focusing on both topical applications and advanced dermatological procedures. Here's a summary of the latest findings:

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Topical Treatments

1. Human Platelet Extract (HPE) vs. Vitamin C Serums

A clinical trial compared the efficacy of HPE and vitamin C serums in treating age spots on the hands. Over 12 to 26 weeks, both treatments resulted in similar reductions in brown spots and improvements in skin luminosity. HPE was noted for its stability and skin-friendly properties, making it a viable alternative to vitamin C, which can sometimes cause photosensitivity and pH imbalance. Read more

2. Hydroquinone and Retinoids

Prescription creams containing hydroquinone, alone or combined with retinoids like tretinoin and mild steroids, have been shown to gradually fade age spots over several months. However, these treatments may cause temporary side effects such as itching, redness, or dryness. Read more

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Advanced Dermatological Procedures

1. Laser and Light-Based Therapies

• CO₂ Ablative Lasers: These lasers remove the outer skin layers, promoting new skin growth and significantly reducing deep-set pigmentation. Read more
  
• LaseMD: A semi-ablative laser that creates microchannels in the skin, enhancing the absorption of serums like tranexamic acid, which is effective against hyperpigmentation. Read more
  
• BroadBand Light (BBL): Utilizes intense pulsed light to rejuvenate the skin and break down pigmentation, leading to the fading of age spots over time. Read more
  

2. Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion

These procedures exfoliate the skin, removing the outer layers and reducing the appearance of age spots. Chemical peels use a chemical solution, while microdermabrasion employs a mechanical device to achieve similar results. Read more

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Emerging Therapies

1. Stem Cell Treatments

Research into stem cell therapies suggests potential in reducing age spots by promoting skin regeneration and correcting pigmentation irregularities. While promising, these treatments are still in the early stages of clinical evaluation. Read more

2. Laser-Assisted Drug Delivery (LADD)

LADD enhances the penetration of topical agents into the skin by using lasers to create microchannels, improving the efficacy of treatments for hyperpigmentation. This method is being explored for its potential to deliver various skin-lightening agents more effectively. Read more

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These advancements offer a range of options for individuals seeking to treat or reduce age spots. It's advisable to consult with a dermatologist to determine the most appropriate treatment based on individual skin type and condition.

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