Top Five Age Spot Removal Treatments

Age spots as we all know are caused by too much sun exposure but that’s not the only reason why people have age spots. Age spots can also be caused by weakened skin cells and even bruises that are not healed completely which can also leave behind pigmented cells.
Age spots normally appear after the age of 55 and almost all of us can experience this when we reach this age. Some even can have age spots before the age of 55 depending on how exposed we are to the sun and how healthy we are with our lifestyle and food intake. But in this modern day and age, age spots are not much of a worry anymore. There are already a variety of cosmetic procedures available in the market today such as microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, and other methods that peel away the topmost layer of the skin and remove age spots.
If you are one of those suffering from unsightly age spots on your face, arms, neck and other areas that are more exposed to the sun, here are five age spot removal treatments that you can choose from:
Chemical Peels for Age Spot Removal
Chemical peels are one of the most powerful facial rejuvenation procedures. This kind of age spot removal treatment does not only help in reducing and removing age spots but can also stimulate the skin to increase collagen production. The most popular types of chemical peels are: AHAs, TCA, and Phenol. Among the three types, it’s Phenol that is really powerful and strong. So, it is not recommended to people who have darker skin tones. But most people, except those who really have very delicate and sensitive skin, can benefit from AHAs. AHAs is the mildest among the three types and it can surely help in removing rough patches and age spots as well after a few treatments.
Fraxel for Age Spot Removal
Fraxel, nowadays is one of the most prevalent age spot removal treatment. It is a kind of laser resurfacing treatment that helps in reducing pigmentation on the skin like age spots and also acne scars. Fraxel laser does not only remove age spots and smooth out the skin, but also rejuvenate the skin revealing a much youthful glow. This kind of age spot removal treatment is very simple and efficient and can surely be an answer to your pigmentation problems.
Laser Skin Resurfacing for Age Spot Removal
Laser skin resurfacing treatment is a kind of cosmetic procedure nowadays that peels away the topmost layer of the skin and stimulates the skin cells underneath for a faster turnover. The peeling of the top layer of the skin alone can already remove age spots but finishing the whole treatment sessions can ensure a much healthier and glowing skin. This kind of treatment is getting more and more affordable so this can be a good choice for you in maintaining a younger looking skin.
Obagi Blue Peels for Age Spot Removal
The Obagi Blue Peel is getting popular nowadays. This is because the treatment is less reactive compared to the other chemical peel treatments. The peel used is made of thrichloracetic acid (TC) that goes into the skin and helps in stimulating new cell growth. Obagi Blue Peel is commonly used by many to remove wrinkles, scars, and other pigmentation problems like age spots. This procedure has very less side effects so it’s a better choice for those individuals who have sensitive skin.
Microdermabrasion for Age Spot Removal
Microdermabrasion is a procedure that rejuvenates the skin and even reduces fine lines and wrinkles through sandblasting the skin with aluminum oxide crystals. This treatment gradually removes dead skin cells and also helps in lightening pigmentation.
Age spots are harmless but having many of them on our skin will take away the fresh appearance that we once have. Lotions, creams, and other beauty products are not really effective in removing age spots because these marks are already embedded deep within our skin’s outer layer. So, those treatments mentioned above are the best choices you can have for permanent age spot removal.

How to Get Rid of Age Spots

Causes of Age Spots

Age spots have many names, and over the years, you may have heard them all. Liver spots and sun spots are just a few alternate terms for the same pesky problem. While they are not dangerous, they are annoying because they can make you look older than you really are. Review some of the causes of these blemishes and learn how to get rid of age spots.

Stress Factor

Your age spots may have popped up because of stress. Stress affects the skin and in this case makes it spot. Reduce your daily stress levels and lower your chances of developing spots.

Sun Exposure

Melanin is a dark pigment in the skin that goes to work when the skin is exposed to too much sun. Harmless melanin works to heal sun damage, but unfortunately the dark coloration of the pigment causes spotting.

Aging

Melanin is triggered by aging skin, too. Aging bodies are not as adept at detoxifying the system as younger bodies. The liver, kidney and intestines do less work detoxing, relying instead on the skin to take up the task at least partially. This skin detox triggers dark pigmentation leaving stains or spots on the skin.

Genetics

Although studies are not yet complete, there is significant evidence available that suggest genetics may play a role in age spots. Chances are if your parents were plagued with them, then you will be too.

How to Get Rid of Age Spots

Although they are non-cancerous and certainly not dangerous, you may still wish to have them removed. Try some of these treatments to lighten or reduce the spots.

• Prescriptions – Your physician may be willing to give you a topical prescription for a bleaching cream. A bleaching cream will fade your spots gradually over time. In order to get the best results, you should practice safe sun protection during and after using the bleaching cream.
• Laser treatments – A dermatologist or plastic surgeon can give you laser treatments to fade the spots away. To be effective, you will need to undergo several consecutive sessions to see the difference. This can take just a few weeks or a few months. This procedure is expensive, and some women report that is slightly painful.
• Freezing – Freezing off spots and warts has garnered a lot of attention in recent years. The technical name is cryotherapy, and it involves the use of liquid nitrogen. The nitrogen is placed on the spot, destroying the dark pigmentation. There is a slight risk of scarring because of the procedure.
• Microdermabrasion – Buff those spots away with a microdermabrasion treatment. You can purchase a kit to use at home or visit a skin care specialist. Microdermabrasion sands down the skin with a tool or rough exfoliant, scrubbing away the dark spots. There will be some redness immediately after the treatment but this will not remain. An at-home microdermabrasion treatment is one of the cheapest methods for fading spots.
• Natural methods - Go natural and use lemon juice on your spots. Citric acid in the lemon juice burns away the spots over time. Dab fresh lemon juice on your spots twice a day for a month.

Age spots are a fact of life for some, but you can fade or even erase these spots. Keep your skin protected from the sun and keep those spots at bay longer.