There are many anti-aging skin care products these days to counter age spots. In spite of the rage for anti-aging skin care, many have mistaken facts in regards to age spots. First and foremost, age spots are not the result of aging but by the exposure of UV sunlight. Age spots are also known as ‘liver spots’ but they are not related to the liver as some may misinterpret.
Age Spots (An Overview)
The accurate name for age spots is ‘solar lentigo’ and it means spots caused by sunlight. Basically, age spots are large freckles and can emerge anywhere on the face, arms, hands, feet and back. Fair-skinned people are more apt to this skin condition. In general, people have frequently misunderstood that age spots is only a beauty problem not knowing that age spots can bring about dryness, rough skin and thinning of the skin which can lead to bruising.
Age Spots Causes and Risk Factors
Age spots are a result of overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) rays hasten the production of melanin, which is a natural pigment responsible for skin colour. Concerning this, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped.
Moreover, the use of commercial tanning lamps and beds can also cause age spots, due to melanin produced in high concentration.
Age spots are more likely to occur when one has light skin, or have a history of frequent or intense sun exposure or sunburn.
Symptoms of Age Spots
Unlike freckles, age spots do not fade even without sun exposure. With this, age spots are usually flat, oval spots of increased pigmentation with colour that ranges from tan to dark brown.
Age spots occur on skin which had the most sun exposure through the years, particularly the back of the hands, top of one’s feet, shoulders, upper back, and face. It runs across the area in about one-half of an inch or 13 millimetres. Most importantly, these may come in groups, which makes them more noticeable.
Preventive Measures Against Age Spots
In general, the best prevention will always be to avoid sun exposure. Age spots can be prevented by reducing your exposure to sunlight. Another effective method would be to use sunscreens, e.g. face and hand cream which contain SPF 15 are currently popular in the market. This can prevent direct UV lights to penetrate the skin and having age spots at noticeable parts of your body such as the face, arms and hands.
At least 15 to 30 minutes before heading outdoors, one should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF30. This should be done generously, and it is recommended to reapply every two hours, and more often when swimming or sweating.
One should also avoid the sun around 10 AM and 2 PM because the sun’s rays are most extreme during this time. So, one should go out and have activities in other possible times of the day.
Another way to prevent age spots is to provide sun protection. Clothes labelled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 40 to 50 for the best, optimum protection.
Age Spots Treatment
Age spot treatments can be performed by a dermatologist who will determine the appropriate method after taking into account the location, skin and amount of age spots which need to be treated. They include simple face cream application to Cryotherapy to freeze off the age spots. There are also lasers and tretinoin to eliminate age spots and all these are done with prescription. Over-the-counter creams may work but are not entirely dependable as they are less effective than creams given by your dermatologist.
Hot and sunny days are most common in Singapore. Concerning this, some of the best clinics for age spots removal are made available in the country. In total, 12 clinics provide the best quality of services in age spots removal for the best prices.
Most treatments available in Singapore include topical creams, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. However, when it comes to treating dark spots, a Ruvy Touch Treatment works best as it effectively treats epidermal pigmentations to give the individuals a clearer and brighter skin.
