Anti-Aging Skin Care: ‘Age’ Spot Treatment Options
Before describing the wide range of age spot treatments and remedies available today, it’s important to understand exactly what these brown, flat, blotchy spots really are. Because they typically show up on the skin (hands, neck, face, shoulders) of men and women over the age of 50 or so, they are most commonly known as ‘age’ spots, but they are also called ‘liver’ spots and, sometimes, ’sun’ spots. The medical term for these skin discolorations is ‘lentigines’ or ‘lentigos’. ‘Liver’ spots is, in reality, a misnomer; these spots are not related to liver function in any way.
Although age spots can give away your age, they are not caused by old age as such. The most accurate name for age spots is ‘photo-aging spots’ – because they are the result of many years of unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light (staying out in the sun, using tanning beds or lamps etc). UV light speeds up the production of melanin (the natural coloring pigment in the outer layer of the skin) and age spots occur as a result of the higher concentrations of melanin. They develop slowly and take years to form, which explains why they occur on older people – but they are not caused by aging. So, while you may suddenly notice age spots on your skin, the truth is that they have been developing underneath the skin surface over a period of several years.
According to the Mayo Clinic staff, however, genetics can also affect the development of age spots. Dermatologists also warn that taking certain medications (some antibiotics, diuretics and antipsychotic medicines), using certain fragrances or handling specific foods could increase the chances of age spot occurence after unprotected exposure to ultraviolate light.
Age Spot Treatment Options:
Your ’sun’ spots, ‘age’ spots or ‘photo-aging’ spots normally take years to develop. Don’t expect to eliminating them overnight! Whether you decide to use one of the hundreds of available home remedies, an OTC product, prescription medications or more invasive skincare procedures, the treatment must penetrate through the topmost layer of skin (epidermis) where the extra melanin is located, meaning that topical applications require several weeks or even months before you notice results.
• Home remedies for age spots abound on the Internet. Apple cider vinegar and onion juice, castor oil, olive oil, lemon juice, cucumber and butter milk are among the most popular, but there are literally hundreds of these remedies. Most home remedies contain ingredients (such as lemon juice) that act as bleches to help lighten the color of age spots, making them less apparent. The different remedies should be applied solely on the spots.
• Like home remedies, OTC non-prescription preparations such as fade creams or bleaching lotions work by lightening age spots, and are therefore most suitable for use on lighter color, newer age spots. If you decide to try this option, select a product that contains hydroquinone, deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid or kojic acid. Non-prescription products contain only 2% concentration of hydroquinone and will not effectively fade darker age spots. OTC fade creams that may, with prolonged use, successfully lighten age spots until they actually become unnoticeable include Porcelana and Esoterica. Always follow package directions to the letter; over-use of these products may cause skin irritations.By exfoliating the outer skin layer, Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) lotions also can lighten age spots while improving skin texture and tone.
• Prescription Medication: Dermatologists may prescribe bleaching creams (that contain a higher concentration of hydroquinone, such as Lustra that has a 4% concentration of hydroquinone) used alone or in combination with retinoids (Tretinoin) and / or a mild steroid to gradually diminish the appearance of small or lighter-color age spots. Treatment usually lasts several months, sometimes longer than a year.
• The above treatments all require time and will only fade age spots. For more immediate results, you could opt for a chemical peel. This involves applying a chemical solution to the affected area. Chemical peels using glycolic acid remove the outer layers of skin, along with the age spots. In most cases several treatments are necessary. It’s important that a qualified practitioner perform this procedure; if not done correctly, it can result in scarring. Following treatment, there is usually a 1 to 2-week healing period.
• Cryotherapy (freezing) involves applying a freezing agent, usually liquid nitrogen, directly on the age spots or to get rid of the extra melanin, making the skin appear lighter in color. A somewhat drastic measure, it is only suitable for use on closely grouped age spots and, again, there is a slight risk of scarring if the procedure is not well done. However, you may see results after only one week.
• Dermabrasion refers to sanding down the top most layer of skin using a rotating brush to remove the skin surface (and any blemishes and age spots). Before the new layer of skin grows (usually over a week or so) expect redness and scabs to form on the treated area.
• Laser surgery or laser resurfacing: recent advances in laser surgery techniques make it possible to successfully treat age spots and, in the vast majority of cases, eliminate them forever. A number of new techniques use various lasers remove age spots completely. The laser light is precisely aimed at each spot to eliminate the blemished skin by destroying the additional melanocytes (melanin) that create the age spots. Several sessions are required and there should be no side effects. Laser surgery is arguably the most effective of the age spot treatments described above, but it is also expensive, with costs ranging between $2000 and $6000, according to the surface area treated. Also, healing time is longer, usually between 3 and 6 weeks.
It is essential that you consult a dermatologist before deciding on any age spot treatment, including OTC products – or even home remedies. Age spot procedures and treatments are typically performed by a derma-surgeon on an out-patient basis. Always make sure that any procedure you decide to try is performed by a qualified and experienced derma-surgeon. When deciding on an appropriate treatment, you should also keep in mind that because age spots are not harmful to your health, their treatment is a cosmetic procedure that is usually not covered by insurance.
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