With each year that goes by, does your collection of freckles and age spots grow and grow? Well, you’re not alone. This is a completely normal part of the aging process and your exposure to the sun over time.
However, the prevalence of age spots starts to ramp up when you hit the age of 50 and this is where sun protection really becomes important.
If you’re looking to restore a touch of youthfulness to your skin and want to know how to get rid of age spots, just keep on reading.
How to Get Rid of Age Spots: Treatments, Therapy, and Peels
Sun damage plays a major role in how your skin ages over time. Excessive exposure to UV rays on the sun can not only cause age spots and wrinkles but also increase your risk of cancer.
While there are many treatments for age spots on the market, it’s important to do your own research on the pros and cons of each.
Topical creams take time and discipline. Whereas laser therapy, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion offer speedier results, but also carry a few side-effects.
Here’s what you should know about treatment options for age spots:
1. Topical Medications
Popular options for at-home topical treatments include hydroquinone (also known as bleaching cream), tretinoin (a form of retinoid), and mild steroidal cream.
The application of these creams takes discipline and is required one to two times a day. It’s no quick-fix solution to fading your age spots, but these topical treatments do work over time.
If you’re going to use these creams, it’s important to wear sunscreen and a hat when you spend time in the sun as they can make your skin extra sensitive.
2. Laser Light Therapy
Laser and intense pulsed light therapies also take several weeks or months, but the results are worth the wait.
This is because laser light therapy breaks down melanocytes in the skin which cause age spots. This is a slow process which reveals positive results later on down the line. Laser light therapy takes two-three sessions before any results can be seen.
If you are not a candidate for laser there are alternative treatments, such as Skin Classic. This machine uses a high frequency heat source to targeted areas of pigmentation.
It’s also extremely important to use sun protection when undergoing laser therapy as affected areas of the skin are super sensitive.
3. Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy literally involves freezing your age spots in order to destroy them.
Basically, liquid nitrogen is applied with a cotton-tip swab to individual age spots in order to break down the pigment under the skin. As the area heals, your age spots lighten over time.
Cryotherapy is usually applied to just one age spot at a time or a small grouping of age spots.
4. Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning involves a planing technique of the skin. In essence, the surface layer of your skin is removed by scraping it gently with a medical-grade scalpel.
As your dead skin is scraped away, this makes room for fresh, new skin to grow in its place and fade age spots along with it.
Dermaplaning may take a few sessions before you see any positive results, depending on the pigment of your age spots. This is a less aggressive treatment if your age spots or pigmentation are on the mild side.
5. Chemical Peels
A chemical peel involves the application of a form of acid to the top layer of the skin in order to peel away this layer and fade age spots. This may sound daunting, but chemical peel acids are specifically designed to treat the skin, and not damage it.
This being said, it’s important to consult with a skincare professional before this type of treatment if you have extra sensitive skin or certain skin conditions.
You’ll need to undergo several chemical peel treatments in order to achieve noticeable results.
Find Flawless Skin with Beauty Made Simply
If you’re wondering how to get rid of age spots, Beauty Made Simply is your flawless skin guru, just a click away.
Book an appointment with us for your next peel, facial or advanced treatment and uncover beautiful skin!
