As the signs of aging become more prevalent among individuals, one of the common questions asked is ‘how can I get rid of age spots?’.  Removing the visible signs of aging such as age spots is a very common procedure, one that is quickly growing in popularity.  As we age, our skin tone and texture seems to change and alter; exposure to the sun and other daily elements can change our skin pigmentation, creating sun spots, age spots, freckles, pigmented lesions and other imperfections on the skin.  The most common areas affected by this change are the face, neck, chest arms and hands, however age spots can appear anywhere on the body.  As men and women continue to become more conscious of the outward appearance of the body, the demand for blemish free skin continues to increase.  The answer to this demand has come in the form of several skin rejuvenation techniques; techniques developed to help reduce and/or remove unwanted skin blemishes such as age spots.

The appearance of age spots are easy to see, they are the darkened areas on the epidermis that are caused by the overproduction of melanin—this overproduction is in direct response to repeated sun exposure.  Age spots and sun spots do in many ways resemble freckles, but unlike freckles, which remain completely harmless, age spots, if continually exposed to the sun, can become more serious.  The most efficient way to stop the formation of age spots is to limit your exposure to the sun, but this can be difficult for some individuals.  Wearing a sunscreen of SPF of 30 or higher will reduce your chances of changes in pigmentation, but for those who already have age spots, there are other alternatives.

There are a few skin rejuvenation treatments that can help remove age spots, they range from non-invasive to mildly invasive.  Topical bleaching creams such as hydroquinone, azelaic or kojic acid can help to reduce the visible appearance of age spots by bleaching the skin, but this does not effectively remove the age spots.  In addition, while these products can bring success, it can take up to 6 months to see significant results.  Abrading techniques such as microdermabrasion are also used by many to rejuvenate the skin.  By abrading the outer layers of skin, new skin cell growth and collagen growth is stimulated.  This helps to visibly reduce age spots for a younger, smoother appearance.  Patients who utilize this method will see results faster than with creams, but a series of treatments will still be needed.

The most successful treatments patients have undergone for age spot removal are laser treatments.  Laser treatments are truly revolutionary because they are non-invasive way to create a more uniform appearance on your skin.  The laser works by penetrating through the outer layers of skin to target the pigmented spots below.  The heat from the laser light effectively breaks apart or fragments the targeted pigment; once broken apart, the pigment is naturally absorbed and removed by the body’s lymphatic system.  Patients will need to undergo a series of laser sessions in order to target and treat all age spots, but for those looking to reduce the visible signs of aging, laser treatments are the way to go.  Stop asking ‘how can I get rid of age spots?’, and start searching for a reputable laser age spot removal center in your area.  It’s time to regain smooth, evenly pigmented skin that will give you a younger look and feel that lasts!