How to Get Rid of Age Spots Fast on Face, Hands and Legs

Age spots give away your age. As you get into the middle age, it is common to notice appearance of age spots on your face, hands and neck. Here is more on how to get rid of age spots fast. Learn more on effective natural remedies.

Age Spots

What are age spots? Age spots are flat, brown or black flat patches on skin. They may be rounded or with sharp definitions. Age spots vary in size. They appear on areas that are exposed to the sun commonly on the face, back of the hands, shoulders or legs. They may appear singly as patches of hyper pigmented skin.

What causes age spots? The primary cause of age spots is years of exposure to the sun without sun protection. Use of tanning bed and lamps can also contribute to the development of age spots.

How do age spots occur? Our skin produces the skin pigment melanin. Age spots appear as a result of excess production of this skin pigment.

Do age spots affect young people? Can appear in any age, sex and race. However, they commonly affect adults above the age of 50. They can appear in younger people especially if they spend lots of time exposed to the sun without proper protection. Age spots are more likely to develop in people who have fair skin complexion.

Can age spots become cancerous? Age spots are harmless and do not require any treatment. The need to get rid of age spots is purely cosmetic. Remedies discussed in this articles are meant to promote better skin health, improve appearance and enhance self-esteem.

Note that prevention is the best way to deal with age spots. Use proper sun protection to maintain flawless youthful skin even as you age.

How to Get Rid of Age Spots on Fast

Prevention is the best way to deal with age spots. Use proper sun protection to maintain youthful skin even as you age. Here is how to get rid of age spots fast:

Laser to Get Rid of Age Spots Fast

Laser therapy uses intense light produced in pulsed to destroy melanocytes (melanin producing cells). This is done carefully without damaging the skin surface. This therapy requires several sessions over several weeks or months.

Ablative laser removes the upper layer of the skin. More like peeling off the top layer of the skin to reveal newer youthful skin cells.

It promotes collagen production thus the skin in that area heals smoothly with an even appearance.

Side Effects include:

• Bleeding
• Pain
• Crusting/ scarring
• Discoloration
• Swelling

Healing takes two to three weeks depending on size and location of the procedure.

Cryotherapy

This is freezing age spots using liquid nitrogen. It involves application of liquid nitrogen on the age spots to destroy extra melanin pigment. This causes the affected the skin to peel off the body.

This method is best used on small single or small clusters of age spots.

Cryotherapy is a safe, fast and effective age spots remedy if done by an experienced dermatologist. Skin irritation, scarring and discoloration are common effects of using cryotherapy for age spots. The skin will appear lighter as it heals.

The cost of cryotherapy ranges between $500 and $900 depending on the size and location of the age spots.

Dermabrasion for Age Spots on Face

Microdermabrassion is a cosmetic procedure that mimics sanding. It sprays the skin with tiny mineral crystals which causes abrasion of the outer layer of the skin to remove age spots. This for many is not the best treatment for age spots on the face.

This method breaks down melanin deposits that contribute to hyperpigmentation. It also promotes an even skin tone. Dermabrasion.

The cost of dermabrasion for age spots depends on the extent of treatment.

According to Kristin J. Tarbet, FACS, a Bellevue Oculoplastic Surgeon, microdermabrasion works better if used together with mild lightening products such as kojic acid.

Peter A. Aldea, MD a plastic surgeon from Memphis, dermabrasion removes 10-15 microns of the skin. Most age spots are deeper than 10 microns and may not be erased using this method.

Chemical Peel to Get Rid of Age Spots Hands and Shoulders

Used to improve and diminish the appearance of sun spots. A chemical solution is used to remove the outer layer of skin. The treated area dries then peels off to reveal newer cells beneath. New cells regenerate to form new skin that is smoother without brown spots.

Most plastic surgeons recommend TCA peel as it enhances skin turnover to significantly reduce the appearance of age spots.

Prescription Treatments and Creams

These removal creams contain skin lightening agents that diminish and gradually remove spots on the skin.

Hydroquinone- a skin lightening agent used to fade common skin blemishes. It is found in products such as Murad’s Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel.

Kojic Acid is derived from a variety of fungi and organic substances such as mushrooms. It is found in many skin lightening products.

Vitamin C- Ascorbic acid, the most active form of Vitamin C has ability to diminish blemishes such as age spots.

Retin A is a topical retinoid derived from vitamin A. It gently exfoliates and breaks down melanin deposits.

Camouflage Make-up

Makeup is a quick fix that can be used daily to mask the appearance of age spots. Most people however prefer more permanent options.

How to Get Rid of Age Spots Naturally

The medical/ cosmetic procedures discussed above are fast and promising. However, each one of them comes with potential side effects and complications. They are also costly. How would you like to try out more natural methods? These home remedies are cheap and easy to use.

Note that home remedies do not promise overnight results. You may need to use them several times to see desired results. Here is more;

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV contains alpha hydroxyl acids that are excellent for skin exfoliation. It is an effective remedy.

• Simply a dab of apple cider vinegar on affected skin and leave it overnight.
• For best results, DO this every day for the next four weeks

This may sting a little.

If you have sensitive skin dilute ACV with equal amount of water or olive oil. It will prevent excess drying on the skin. Apply the mixture on affected skin, allow it to dry before washing it off.

Sandalwood for Age Spots on the Face

Sandalwood is used to remove blemishes and for skin lightening in Hindi.

1. Mix sandalwood powder and turmeric powder in equal amounts
2. Add in some Milk or Rosewater to make a paste
3. Massage this paste on your face or affected skin and leave it overnight

You can use this remedy to get rid of other blemishes such as acne scars.

Onion Juice

Squeeze fresh onions to get juice and use it to get of age spots, mole and skin tags.

1. Use a cotton swab to apply onion juice directly to age spots.
2. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes
3. Wash off with warm water
4. DO this at least 3 times in a week

Aloe Vera to Get Rid of Age Spots

Aloe vera has healing properties that aid in regeneration and renewal of skin cells. Use it regularly to get rid of brown spots from sun damage.

1. Get fresh sap or gel from Aloe Vera
2. Gently rub it onto the face
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes
4. Rinse off with cold water
5. DO this once or twice daily for best results

Yogurt has a mild skin bleaching properties that help to lighten and diminish the appearance of age spots. It also exfoliates and moisturizes skin leaving it smooth and glowing.

1. Apply plain yogurt directly on age spots
2. Allow it to dry on the skin for 15-20 minutes
3. Rinse off with cold water.
4. Alternatively, you can apply yogurt before going to bed and leave it on overnight.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Lightening Age Spots

Hydrogen peroxide is used to lighten skin and fade skin spots. Apply it on affected areas of the skin to reduce the appearance of blemishes. If you want to use in on small areas of the skin use a cotton ball or Q-tip.

Apply once every three days for 3- 4 weeks. Application of hydrogen peroxide may sting a little. Places you’ve applied hydrogen peroxide may appear white for a while. The spots will become red or pink and with time dry out. These scabs will finally fall of exposing newer skin beneath.

Note:

Age spots that are dark or change in size and shape should be evaluated by a doctor. They may be early signs of skin cancer. Consult a doctor if an age spot:

• Is itchy, red, tender or bleeding
• Has a very dark pigment
• Is fast changing in size
• Presents with an irregular border