5 Ways to Treat Age Spots
Many of us suffer from what are called “age spots” and hyperpigmentation. This unsightly discoloration is caused by the sun’s powerful UV rays and other environmental stressors or can simply be a side effect of aging. Whatever the cause, the result can do a number on our confidence. The good news is, you can fade them and sometimes even eliminate them altogether.
While procedures like chemical peels and laser therapy can help, they can be costly, require downtime and cause side effects. Just like facial exercises provide a natural, non-surgical way to combat other signs of aging, there are non-invasive methods for diminishing age spots. Read on to discover our favorite techniques.
Lightening Creams and Lotions
Many products lighten and fade age spots over time. Apply one religiously and you will most likely see results. Our Brightening Cream is a customer favorite because it noticeably lightens and brightens the skin yet is extremely gentle. Many who try more aggressive products containing hydroquinone suffer severe irritation and experience a worsening of the condition.
Vitamin C
When vitamin C is consumed internally and applied externally, it yields significant lightening results. It’s a potent antioxidant that reduces the number of sun damaged cells and can even reverse age-related damage. Our Vitamin C Complex Serum repairs UV damage while brightening the skin and imparting a youthful glow. Apply it all over the face, neck, décolletage, hands and wherever else you want to fade discoloration. Take an Ester-C supplement every day to boost the brightening process.
Retinol Skin Conditioner
Our Retinol Skin Conditioner is another powerful tool for combating age spots and hyperpigmentation. It gently exfoliates the skin, removing discolored cells that form sun spots while fighting free radical damage. It also promotes collagen and elastin production, which helps maintain skin’s elasticity and firmness.
Keep Cool
Whenever you’re overheated, melanin activity is stimulated, which leads to the formulation of spots. If you feel hot after exercising or spending time outdoors, immediately apply a cool cloth or ice pack to bring down your skin temperature.
Eat Right
Consume foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants such as beta-carotene and lycopene. These help the skin fight sun damage from the inside out and reduce inflammation. Eat lots of colorful produce such as tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, watermelon, grapefruit and green leafy veggies such as kale, spinach and broccoli.
If you ever have a spot that changes in size or color, bleeds, itches or turns red, see a board-certified dermatologist for a skin exam. Some forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, are often mistaken for age spots.
Keep in mind—prevention is key! Click here to learn ways to prevent age spots from occurring.
Age spots and hyperpigmentation can be hard to get rid of. These dark splotches appear in the most obvious places—our face, neck, hands, you name it! They’re a major sign of aging and sun damage and can grow worse with continued exposure to the sun and other elements. While treatments do exist to remove them, prevention is a much better route.