Trying Get Rid of Age Spots?

Removing Flat and Raised Age Spots

What Are Age Spots?

When you are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, your skins protective mechanism against this radiation is to builds up melanin - to protect and help prevent DNA damage….

By the way, this increase in melanin is what gives you that nice looking coco colored tan.

However, due to the combination of constant repeated UVA exposure and aging, the skin loses it’s ability to protect itself – resulting in long term damage – possibly at the DNA level. As a result melanin gets stored in concentrate areas – showing up as round age looking blotches over the most exposed areas of our body like face, hands, shoulders, and chest.

Now, sunbathing or UVA exposure are not the only causes of hyperpigmentation. Some say it could also be due to hormone imbalance, allergies, and post acne/breakouts. Learn about these the natural methods to rid them.

Starting to See Age Spots? Why Me?

There is also a genetic factor that is important to know….people with a history of melanoma or precursor to melanoma are more likely to develop lentigos.

Seborrheic keratoses is a type of disorder that often look similar to lentigos, but are slightly different in that they are sort of raised and have a waxy look. Almost as if a dab of melted wax was placed on the skin.

Seborrheic keratoses can vary in color from brown to a very light tan. Most people will develop a few of these as they age and while their not dangerous, you should always have a dermatologist check it anyway to be sure that is what they are and not something more serious.

Then there is Melasma, which shows up mostly in women as brown patches mostly on the face. A melasma cure might require a slightly different approach.

The other two common disorders Tinea Versicolor which look like tiny white spots on the skin and Vitiligo which is characterized as having large white spots where large sections seem to have total pigment loss (hypopigmentation)..................... Some say Michael Jackson had this disease, although he never admitted to it.

Removing Age Spots - How To Get Rid of Age Spots

If you don't have the time or patience to wait for them lighten, learn how to cover dark spots on the face and body with makeup.

By the time you see them, they have been developing for years and years and the damage is done. Think of them as tattoos – almost permanent and difficult to get rid of.

The quickest method to get rid of age spots is with a hyperpigmentation laser treatment. Laser treatments tend to work better for those slightly raised, waxy looking age spots. These aren't as dark as the flat ones and tend to respond to laser better than chemical or freezing methods....for most people.

The next method of choice and a little less expensive are chemical peels, and cryogenics which use liquid nitrogen to freeze them off. The best method for you really depends on where they’re located and how many you have.

For example, the thinner skin – like on the face – usually responses well to laser – which is quick and painless and heals pretty quickly. The areas on the arms, chest, shoulders, and legs may require several treatments to complete get rid of them.

However, if you have a lot them (like in clusters) your doctor may suggest a chemical peel which works slower and will take longer to see results. Your dermatologist will be able to determine the best course of action for you.

Keep in mind that with any of professional methods listed above, you will need to allow time for healing. If you want to try an aggressive method to get rid of age spots - do so during the winter time so you can keep covered up while the area heals. Also, it’s important to know that not everyone gets the desired results.

Some are still left with a reddish or discolored blotch. And, for a few people, sometimes they come back! I know this happened to a good friend of mine tried a chemical cream peel to get rid of age spots. It took months to heal and (sadly) within a year they were all back.

Another option is to try to lighten them so they’re less visible. Over-the-counter creams that contain certain ingredients can help inhibit melanin production by inhibiting tyrosinase enzyme activity….helping to reduce the brown and red discoloration and provide a more even tone complexion.

There are also over-the-counter creams that help reduce DNA damage and have shown to lighten the lentigos within a few weeks. Watch this video on Neova Skin Care Review. NOTE: Video starts right away...click on the video to pause it

The upside to reducing DNA damage is improving the condition of the complexion too – as in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Regardless of which method you try, it is very important to protect yourself now – so you won’t develop more.

The thing to remember - if you have them now and keep exposing yourself to the sun, you will see more. The damage is there, it’s just a matter of time and more abuse before the rest show up.

How do you protect yourself? Sunscreen, hats, SPF clothing and most important…….. sun avoidance whenever possible. I know this is sad to hear, because if you’re interested in how to get rid of age spots, you’re probably a diehard sun worshiper to begin with ………………………..

And nothing is sadder than to tell a sun worshiper to “stay out of the sun!”

Additional Reading