The little, flat, brown or gray blotches and patches of darker pigment that appear as we age are known by many names - sun spots, age spots, liver spots. But one name we can all agree on is “unwanted.” Caused by overexposure to the sun’s UV rays, sun spots most commonly appear on the exposed areas of the skin like the face, shoulders, arms, hands and chest. As always, be sure to tell your doctor if the spots have a raised texture or change in appearance, as this may be a sign of melanoma.
Causes
Sun spots form when melanin – the pigment that darkens our skin to protect deeper layers from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays – builds up in high concentration. While normal production of melanin tends to produce an even tan, as we age it is common for the pigment to become over-produced and “clump,” especially where our skin has seen the most sun and can cause the most skin damage. They are more common in people who have freckles or who easily burn.
Prevention
While sun spots can be lightened, the best treatment is prevention, which means reduce skin’s exposure to sun damage. Avoid the sun when rays are most intense, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you do go out, wear protective clothing and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen – which blocks both UVA and UVB rays – with an SPF of at least 25. To ensure that your skin absorbs the sunscreen fully, apply generously 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply as often as recommended on the label. This will help prevent skin damage and sun spots.
For a complete sunscreen that helps slow the aging process, we recommend AB Sun by AB Skincare, which provides full coverage SPF 45 protection with a shot of moisturizing antioxidants. This non-greasy formula uses Glycolic Acid, Green Tea Polyphenols and Caffeine to even skintone while blocking UVA/UVB rays to prevent sun spots from forming, while maintaining younger, clearer skin.
Treatments
Sun spots can be lightened or removed through a variety of treatments ranging from over-the-counter creams and supplements to chemical peels and laser therapy to reduce damage. Depending on a sun spot’s coloring, non-prescription fade creams can produce dramatic results. Since melanin gathers in the base of the epidermis – our outermost layer of skin – topical treatments must penetrate through this layer of skin to be effective. For this reason, regular application of the cream for several weeks or months is necessary for cream treatments to succeed.
Dermatologists can prescribe Vitamin A creams like Retin-a or Retinova, which fade discolorations from sun spots while stimulating cell turnover, but these can sometimes be too harsh for sensitive or aging skin. Hydroquione is another lightening ingredient commonly used in concentrations up to 4% in over-the-counter skin brighteners, as it suppresses the production of melanin, helping to keep new sun spots from forming. But it can be overdrying, so it’s best used as a spot treatment only. Phloretin, an antioxidant derived from apples, has shown results at inhibiting the formation of brown spots and wrinkles when combined with Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid. And natural skin lighteners like Licorice, Bilberry, Mushroom, Coffeeberry and Green Tea offer brightening benefits without some of the drying side effects of other ingredients.
The following non-prescription skincare products can fade sun spots and other skin discolorations in as little as a few weeks:
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