What Causes Age Spots?

Age spots are also known as sunspots. You might also know them as liver spots because, way back when, it was believed that the presence of these little marks indicated trouble with the liver. We now know that that’s not true, but the name lives on.

They typically occur in people aged 50 or older because they take many years of repeated sun exposure to form. Hence: age spots!

There are a few steps you can take to prevent age spots from occurring, and if and when they do show up, you have some options for fading them as well!

WHY DO I HAVE AGE SPOTS ON MY SKIN?

Age spot formation is caused by UV ray exposure from the sun over time. It increases the production of melanin in small areas of the skin, which eventually accumulate so much melanin that you can see the spot.

What this means is that the areas of the body most exposed to sun, like the face, neck, upper shoulders, upper chest, backs of hands, tops of feet, and bald areas of the head are most likely to exhibit these spots.

Unless you live in a cave or remember to use SPF lotion or clothing every time you see the sun, even indoors, you will likely develop these spots as you age. They are completely harmless and don’t even turn into cancer over time! They’re simply some overly-melanated skin spots.

Tanning beds are also a huge risk factor for developing age spots. Of course, tanning beds can also increase your risk of skin cancer, so they should be avoided.

There may also be a genetic component to how susceptible you are to developing spots. Other types of hyperpigmentation are more likely in people with naturally darker skin, but age spots tend to affect lighter skin more.

HOW TO PREVENT AGE SPOTS

As mentioned before, age spots will likely appear on your skin as you age no matter what. But, you can take some preventive measures to stave off these spots for a longer period of time.

Wear SPF and Protective Clothing

The first and most effective measure is to protect your skin from the sun as much as you can.

Wear and reapply sunscreen that has a minimum of 30 SPF. Wear hats and cover-ups, and maybe even use a parasol to reduce the amount of direct sun that hits your skin. If possible, try to avoid the sun altogether during its peak hours (usually 10 am -4 pm, depending on the time of year).

And, to reiterate: avoid tanning beds!

Choose the Right Skin Products

One of the factors that cause age spots on the face is thin skin. Face skin is thinner than most of the skin on the rest of the body, meaning the sun’s rays go deeper into face skin than other types of skin, comparatively. 

Avoid using harsh products that make the skin more vulnerable to the sun if you know you aren’t going to be certain to avoid sun exposure in the recovery phase afterwards.

If you do know that you will protect your recovering skin, then choosing the right age spot serums, lotions, and cleansers and using them at the right frequency can help with skin turnover, leading to strong, healthy skin.

A basic routine of scrubs and moisturisers can also go a long way in helping to prevent age spots.

HOW TO FADE AGE SPOTS

While age spots can’t usually be completely removed, they can be lightened over time with treatments. They will not disappear on their own, even if you never spend another day outside.

There are many treatments to choose from. Some require a medical professional, and some are over-the-counter products. You can also help fade age spots with products at home.

Medical Procedures

These treatments require a medical professional in order to be performed correctly. They are very intense procedures and can cause skin sensitivity afterwards, meaning you must protect your skin from the sun diligently in the recovery phase!

These treatments generally work by stripping away layers of skin to expose the overly-melanated skin cells and encourage new, normally-melanated skin to grow in its place. This means the skin on the face will be even thinner than usual.

• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Treatment and Laser Treatment: Light waves pass through lighter skin to destroy the excess melanin that causes spots.

• Chemical Peels: Using very strong concentrations of acids, the outer layer of skin is removed, which encourages new skin to grow. If used incorrectly, these acid peels can be very damaging to the skin and even internal organs, so it’s important to have an experienced professional perform them. Different acids used include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and lactic acid.

• Cryotherapy: Spots are frozen with liquid nitrogen, which destroys excess melanin.

• Dermabrasion: This procedure is literally like using sandpaper to remove the outer layers of skin. Of course, special tools are used. This is a harsh procedure which does often cause bleeding. Skin usually grows back smoother and more even-toned.

• Microdermabrasion: A milder form of dermabrasion, there is no bleeding and recovery time is much shorter, but the outer layer of skin is still removed.

Over The Counter Creams

You can find products that contain a higher concentration of ingredients intended to reduce dark spots without a prescription. Be forewarned however that using the wrong product for your personal skin or using the product improperly might result in damaged skin!

If you want to pursue this route, look for products that contain deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and kojic acid in concentrations higher than you’d find in a standard skincare product.

Most of these ingredients can be found in lower concentrations in many exfoliating scrubs and hydrating creams, sometimes from natural sources like pumpkin extract (contains AHA).

Nourishing Skincare Products

Gentler skincare products can help prevent and fade age spots with regular use.

There are many natural forms of the ingredients that help prevent and fade age spots. In fact, many of the ingredients we use in skincare today are derived or inspired by natural sources!

In your scrubs, exfoliants, and creams look for aloe, witch hazel, vitamin E (found in jojoba oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil), glycerin, citric acid, rosemary, astragalus, chamomile, propolis, gotu kola, wild geranium, dandelion, lavender, reishi, eucalyptus, tea tree, vitamin b5 (panthenol), white willow bark extract (salicylic acid), rosehip seed oil & meadowfoam seed oil (vitamin C), neem, pumpkin extract (AHAs), cocoa butter, shea butter, and green tea.

Age spots may appear unsightly, or they might make you feel old. While it’s possible to help make them less noticeable, remember to embrace your natural appearance. It just means you’ve lived an exciting life!