Health

Best Ways You Can Limit And Prevent Age Spots

Age spots are a common skin concern among people aged 40 and above. They’re also called sunspots or liver spots, and are usually brown or black and found on areas of the skin that have had the most exposure to the sun. While they don’t pose any health risks, age spots can be unsightly and make you look older than you are. If you’re looking for ways to get rid of them or prevent them from occurring in the first place, here are some of the best things you can do.

What are age spots?

Senior caucasian woman in bathroom, looking at her face in mirror

Age spots are flat, brown spots that usually occur on the face, hands, and chest. They’re also called liver spots and solar lentigines. Age spots are caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. They don’t pose any health risks, but some people don’t like how they look.

There are a few things you can do to limit your risk of getting age spots:

· Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.

· reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re outdoors, or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

· Wear protective clothing when you’re outside, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.

How do age spots form?

Aging female skin with melasma spots

As you age, your skin naturally becomes less efficient at shedding dead skin cells. These dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of your skin and start to form a patch, which is what we know as an age spot.

Age spots are also more likely to form if you have a history of sun exposure. The UV rays from the sun can damage the DNA in your skin cells, which can lead to the formation of an age spot.

There are a few things you can do to limit the formation of age spots. First, make sure you wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy outside. Second, try to avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. And third, exfoliate your skin regularly to help slough off dead skin cells that could otherwise turn into an age spot.

Who is at risk for developing age spots?

Unrecognizable woman showing her acne on face. Banner Close-up acne on woman's face with rash skin

Age spots are most commonly found on the face, hands, shoulders, and arms—areas of the body that get the most sun exposure. But they can occur anywhere on your body, including your legs, chest, and back.

While age spots are more common in adults over age 50, younger people can get them too. People with lighter skin tones are at greater risk for developing age spots because they have less melanin in their skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color and helps protect it from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Other risk factors for developing age spots include:

• A history of sun exposure: People who spend a lot of time outdoors without protective clothing or sunscreen are more likely to develop age spots.

• A history of tanning bed use: The UV rays from tanning beds can also cause age spots.

• A family history of age spots: If your parents or grandparents had age spots, you may be more likely to develop them as well.

How can you prevent age spots?

Closeup portrait of happy middle aged mature asian woman. Skin care ads.

Age spots, also known as solar lentigines, are flat, brown or black patches of skin that occur when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. They’re most common on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and hands.

Although age spots are harmless, some people may want to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons. There are a number of ways you can prevent and treat age spots:

Use sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your skin every day. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.

Wear protective clothing: Cover up with long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses when you’re outdoors.

Avoid tanning beds: The UV light from tanning beds can cause age spots and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Limit your time in the sun: Spend less time in the sun during peak hours (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). Seek shade when possible.

How can you treat age spots?

There are a number of ways you can treat age spots, depending on your preference and the severity of the spots.

For milder cases, you can try using a lightening cream or serum that contains ingredients like kojic acid, glycolic acid, or vitamin C. This help to brighten and even out the skin tone.

If the spots are more stubborn, you may need to consider a laser treatment. This will help to break up the melanin in the skin and improve the appearance of the spots.

In any case, it is important to use sunscreen when treating age spots as they can become more pronounced with sun exposure.

When should you see a doctor for age spots?

Senior woman taking care of her face

If you’re concerned about the development of age spots, it’s best to consult with a dermatologist. They can help you identify the cause and recommend the best course of treatment. In some cases, home remedies may be all that’s necessary to lighten the skin. However, if the spots are large or dark, your doctor may prescribe a topical cream or laser therapy to remove them.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – our top tips on how to limit and prevent age spots. We hope you found this information helpful and that you’ll start taking steps to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Remember, age spots are most common in people over the age of 40, so it’s never too early to start using sunscreen and other anti-aging products. Thanks for reading!