9 Ways to Reduce the Appearance of Age Spots

Age spots are blemishes on the skin that may be associated with having too much sun exposure, poor diet, smoking, liver disease and aging. These are flat brown areas that are found normally on the face, hands, arms and other regions of the body. For some, these marks give the impression of aging. There are ways to reduce the appearance of age spots. Keep in mind however, that it is always best to seek the advice of a medical professional before deciding on a method of treatment.

1. Use a Fade Cream

There are several types of fade creams on the market, many of which contain some sort of bleaching agent to help reduce age spots.

2. Use a Sunscreen when Going Outdoors or Diminish Sun Exposure

Staying out of the sun's damaging rays for an extended period of time is one way to combat age spots. Avoid tanning beds. Always wear a sunscreen lotion or cream with an SPF of at least 45 to block the sun's harmful rays. This will not only protect the skin from possibly getting cancer, but will help to prevent age spots and diminish preexisting ones.

3. Use an Alpha-Hydroxy Cleanser

Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs) can be found naturally in foods such as citric fruits and milk. Lotions may be purchased that contain these beneficial ingredients. When this substance is applied to the skin, its natural exfoliating action gets rid of dead skin cells, revealing a newer fresh skin underneath. This process minimizes the appearance of age spots. Because the skin may be more sensitive from the use of AHAs, it is strongly recommended to wear sunscreen or there could be a risk of sunburn. Skin that is burned may also turn into skin cancer.

4. Use Retin-A Cream

Creams that contain Retinol and Vitamin A are known to not only rejuvenate the skin and fight off wrinkles, but may reduce age spots as well. Exposure to the sun should be avoided with Retin-A creams, as they increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun.

5. Use Vitamins C and E

Vitamins C and E have great antioxidant capabilities. Vitamin C is known for its amazing properties to brighten and even out skin tone. Vitamin E moisturizes and protects the skin. Creams and lotions that contain Vitamins C and E may decrease the appearance of age spots.

6. Reduce Age Spots with Fraxel Treatments

Because Fraxel is a fractional laser treatment, only as much as about 20 percent of the skin is treated by the light. Fraxel is then less likely to damage healthy tissue, unlike traditional laser therapy methods. With Fraxel, age spots will be reduced dramatically, but age spots will not normally disappear completely with this treatment.

7. Remove Age Spots with Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is the removal of age spots with freezing. This process involves a gentle spray of liquid nitrogen.

8. Remove Age Spots with Laser Treatments

Lasers generate beams of light to remove unwanted cells from the body. Laser treatments have been known to be a safe and effective way to remove age spots. Normally only two treatments are necessary for this procedure.

9. Remove Age Spots with IPL

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser is often considered the best option for removing age spots. With this treatment, the spots will literally dry up, peel off and disappear.

No matter which way the age spots are removed, they will most likely return if a healthy lifestyle and diet are not maintained with sun-avoidance and the regular use of sunscreen.