Age Spots – How To Prevent And Treat Them?

The appearance of age spots is a prominent sign of skin aging. Just like wrinkles and fine lines, age spots appear on the skin surface and stay there as a tell-tale sign of your age, or in some cases cause you to look older than your actual age.

Age spots can make you look much older than you actually are. However, the damage is not irreversible. With appropriate prevention measures and treatment methodologies, you can seek to diminish the appearance of age spots and acquire clean and toned skin.

Age spots are flat brown or gray specks on the skin that either appears on its own or along with other spots on the skin. They are most common on areas of your body that are exposed most frequently to the sun like your face, arms, hands etc.

Formation of Age Spots
As we age, the exposure of our bodies to sunlight increases and age spots develop. This is because the ultraviolet radiation of the sun accelerates melanin synthesis. Melanin is a chemical responsible for the color or pigment of the skin. When the production of melanin increases, age spots are formed as a natural consequence. Because melanin levels in individuals depend on genetics, age spots can be hereditary feature.

Prevention of Age Spots
Prevention is always better than the cure. Therefore, it is better you take appropriate steps and prevent the occurrence of age spots rather than trying to cure them after they have appeared on the skin surface. Here are some tips to help prevent their occurrence.

Use Sunscreens
Age spots are a direct consequence of unprotected sun exposure. Therefore, you should make sure that you always apply a good quality sunscreen when venturing out in the sun. Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or more that guarantees broad spectrum protection against the UVA as well as the UVB rays of the sun.

Make sure you apply sunscreen at least 15-20 minutes before your venture out in the sun. Slather sunscreen on all the exposed parts of your face and body like neck, ears, hands and feet. Be sure to reapply sunscreens after every 2-3 hours.

Here are some popular sunscreens you can choose from:

Nia 24 Sun Damage Prevention SPF 30 – This is a physician recommended sunscreen that has a double-action formula that protects the skin against sun damage and at the same time also heals it. It is weightless, oil free, and a 100% mineral sunscreen lotion that gets absorbed into the skin instantly and begins work. It is suitable for all skin types and delivers Pro-Niacin to the various skin layers strengthening the barrier function. The Pro Niacin improves the skin texture and tone and heals pigmentation conditions. It contains micronized Titanium Dioxide and micronized Zinc Oxide in addition to Vitamin C that repairs and protects the skin. Moreover, it contains Alpha Bisabolol that soothes the skin and hydrates it.

Obagi C-Sunguard SPF 30 – It is a unique formulation that contains ultra-sheer Z-Cote, an effective barrier that provides superior protection against the ultraviolet radiation of the sun that are responsible for premature aging of the skin.

iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen – It is a revolutionary powder sunscreen formulation that contains special UV blockers comprising of 25% titanium dioxide and 20% zinc oxide in a special nanotechnology formulation. It protects the skin against a broad spectrum of sunlight and contains micronized mineral filters that prevent sun burn and protect the skin against harmful UVA and UVB radiation that cause premature aging and skin damage. It is non-comedogenic and does not clog skin pores.

Avoid Unprotected Sun Exposure
Never venture out in the sun without applying sunscreen. If possible, try to avoid sun exposure between 10 am. and 4 pm. This is because during this time the sun's rays are the strongest and most damaging. Always wear protective clothing along with sunglasses and scarves if necessary.


Treatment of Age Spots
There are many skin care products that aim to treat signs of aging such as age spots, wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. These products have specialized ingredients to solve the specific problems of the skin. Here are some ingredients that can effectively treat age spots.

Hydroquinone – A popular lightening agent, hydroquinone reduces the formation of melanin and has a bleaching effect on the skin.

Obagi C-Clarifying Serum – It is a one of its kind clarifying serum that contains 4% hydroquinone and Vitamin C serum along with L-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C reduces the melanosome activity and promotes an even skin tone. It also provides potent antioxidant therapy.

Retinols and Retinoids – Both retinols and retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A. They hamper the melanin production within the skin and helps reduce age spots and enhance the skins tone.

iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum – It is a powerful serum that contains Retinol along with Vitamin C and Vitamin E. It heals the skin and lightens the age spots. Apart from this, it also has anti-aging properties to it.

Alpha hydroxy acids – Another great topical option for the treatment of age spots is Alpha Hydroxy Acids. It scrapes off dead skin cells and pigmented cells that form age spots. These are found in chemical peels.