Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Over-the-counter and prescription drugs
• Method 2 of 3: Home remedies
• Method 3 of 3: Professional Skin Treatment
• Tips
• Warnings

Pigmented spots are flat brown, black, or yellow spots that appear on the neck, arms, and face. They are primarily caused by the sun and usually begin to appear when a person reaches 40 years of age. Age spots are not dangerous at all, so there is no medical reason to get rid of them. However, they give away a person's age, so many men and women want to remove them for aesthetic reasons. You can get rid of age spots using a number of different methods: with prescription and over-the-counter topical products, home remedies, or professional treatments.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Over-the-counter and prescription drugs

1. 1 Use hydroquinone. It is a highly effective whitening cream that can significantly reduce the appearance of age spots.
   • Hydroquinone is a toxic substance. A concentration of up to 2% is considered safe enough. 4% hydroquinone should not be used without medical supervision.
   • Be aware that hydroquinone has been banned in many European and Asian countries due to its potential carcinogenic properties. However, it is still widespread in the United States. In Russia, there is no unequivocal ban on it, but it is not included in the list of registered medicines either.
2. 2 Use tretinoin if available. Tretinoin ("Retin-A") is an excellent remedy for skin aging.This product is used to combat wrinkles, improve skin texture and elasticity, and eliminate skin blemishes, including those caused by sun damage.
   • Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative available as a cream or gel in various concentrations. At the moment, there are no drugs with tretinoin registered in Russia, but if they are available in your country, consult your doctor about their use. It is a drug, not just a cosmetic cream.
   • Tretinoin helps to eliminate age spots by exfoliating the skin, removing the outer layer of hyperpigmented skin and revealing its new, fresh layer.
3. 3 Use products containing glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid commonly used for chemical peels. It exfoliates the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.
   • Glycolic acid comes in the form of a cream or lotion that usually needs to be applied and left on the skin for a few minutes and then washed off.
   • Glycolic acid is quite aggressive and sometimes causes redness and discomfort. After using products containing glycolic acid, the skin should always be moisturized.
4. 4 Use products containing salicylic acid and ellagic acid. The combination of these ingredients has been found to help lighten age spots. Ask a dermatologist or beautician for advice on the right remedy for you, or read the ingredients to find one where both of these compounds are present.
   • You may be able to find a cream or lotion that contains both salicylic acid and ellagic acid.
5. 5 Use sunscreen. It will certainly not get rid of existing age spots, but it will prevent the formation of new ones (as they are mainly caused by the sun).
   • In addition, sunscreen will prevent existing age spots from darkening and becoming more visible.
   • You should use a zinc oxide sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day, even if it's not hot or bright outside.

Method 2 of 3: Home remedies

1. 1 Use lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which helps to whiten age spots. Simply dab some fresh lemon juice directly on the stain and leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse off. Do this twice a day and you should see results in one to two months.
   • Lemon juice makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight (and can make your age spots even worse), so never leave lemon juice on your skin if you go outside.
   • If you have very sensitive skin, lemon juice can be irritating, so try diluting it halfway with water before use.
2. 2 Use buttermilk. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which whitens the skin in the same way as citric acid from lemon juice. Apply a little directly to your age spot and leave it on for 15-30 minutes, then rinse. Do this twice a day.
   • If you have very oily skin, it is a good idea to add a little lemon juice to the buttermilk before using to prevent the skin from becoming greasy.
   • Tomato juice can be added to buttermilk for best results, as tomato also has bleaching properties that can help reduce age spots.
3. 3 Use honey and yogurt. The combination of honey and yogurt is believed to help reduce age spots.
   • Just mix equal amounts of honey and yogurt and apply directly to the age spot.
   • Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse. Do this twice a day.
4. 4 Use apple cider vinegar. This home remedy serves a wide variety of ceoia, including age spots! Apply some apple cider vinegar directly to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse it off.
   • Use apple cider vinegar only once a day, as it can dry out your skin a lot.You should see improvement in about six weeks.
   • For more effect, mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part onion juice (which can be obtained by rubbing finely chopped onions through a sieve) and apply this mixture to age spots.
5. 5 Use aloe vera. Aloe is widely used to treat a variety of skin problems, including age spots. Simply dab some fresh aloe vera juice (if you have this plant, also called an agave, just break off a leaf) over the stain and leave it on until it is absorbed.
   • Since aloe vera is very mild, there is no need to rinse it off. However, you can do this if you feel the skin is still clammy.
   • If you don't have an aloe plant, you can buy aloe vera gel from a beauty supply store or drug store that sells natural remedies. It will work just as well.
6. 6 Use castor oil. Castor oil is known for its healing properties for the skin and has been proven to be effective in treating age spots. Apply some castor oil directly to the age spot and massage for a minute or two until completely absorbed.
   • Do this twice a day, morning and evening, and in about a month you should see results.
   • If you suffer from dry skin, you can mix some coconut, olive, or almond oil with castor oil for extra hydration.
7. 7 Use sandalwood. Sandalwood is believed to have effective anti-aging properties and is often used to reduce the appearance of age spots.
   • Mix a pinch of sandalwood powder with a couple of drops of rose water, glycerin, and lemon juice. Apply this paste to the age spot and leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse off with cold water.
   • Alternatively, you can massage a drop of pure sandalwood essential oil directly into the age spot.

Method 3 of 3: Professional Skin Treatment

1. 1 Talk to your beautician or dermatologist about laser removal of age spots. The IPL (Intense Pulsed) laser is especially effective for lightening age spots. During the treatment, an intense beam of light penetrates the epidermis and rejuvenates the skin by breaking down pigment and destroying blemishes.
   • Laser removal of age spots is not painful, but may cause some discomfort. Therefore, 30–45 before the procedure, an anesthetic cream is applied to the skin.
   • The number of sessions required will depend on the size and number of stains that need to be treated. Typically, 2-3 sessions are required, each of which can last from 30 to 45 minutes.
   • Although you do not need recovery time after the procedure, you may still experience redness, swelling, and sensitivity to sunlight.
   • Although laser treatments are extremely effective, their main disadvantage is cost. Depending on the type of laser used (electro-optical ruby, alexandrite, Fraxel double laser) and the number of age spots, prices may differ significantly, but usually start from 2500 rubles per session.
2. 2 Try microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that uses high air pressure. Through a nozzle from a special apparatus, a stream of microcrystals is directed to the skin, which exfoliate the upper layer of the skin, removing dark cells with hyperpigmentation.
   • Microdermabrasion does not require recovery time and has no side effects.
   • A session takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the area being treated. Treatment sessions are carried out at intervals of 2-3 weeks.
   • As a rule, it takes 2-3 sessions to get rid of a small age spot.
3. 3 Try chemical peels. During chemical peeling, old, dead skin particles dissolve, and a new, radiant skin appears in its place.The area to be treated is thoroughly cleaned and an acidic gel-like substance is applied to it. Then it is neutralized to stop the process.
   • Side effects include redness, flaking, and tenderness of the skin. It may take a while to recover when it is best to stay at home.
   • As a rule, two sessions are sufficient, between which 3-4 weeks should elapse.
   • One study found that combining Jessner's peel with a trichloroacetic acid peel was more effective in removing acne scars than either peel alone, so this may be true for removing age spots as well. Ask your beautician if this peel can help you.

Tips

• Age spots are also called liver spots, sun spots, or lentigo.
• In addition to using sunscreen, sun damage can be prevented by wearing long sleeves and hats.

Warnings

• If your age spot has changed in size or color, see your doctor as it could be a sign of skin cancer.