As we age, many of us tend to become plagued with age spots. Also called liver spot, these unattractive, flat brown spots can appear on our face, hands and other body parts that have frequently been overexposed to the sun. While age spots are harmless pigment changes, they are ugly and can make us look older than we are. The good news is that it is possible to get rid of age spots, or at least considerably fade them.

RETINOIDS

A topical retinoid such as Retin-a, a form of vitamin A available by prescription only, has been shown to be highly effective in getting rid of age spots. Retinoids work by blocking the production of melanin (our skin pigmentation), increasing cell turnover and exfoliation by stimulating new collagen production. This process does not happen overnight; you will have to use retinol daily for up to several months to see change. Most people experience some side affects with Retin-a, including itchy skin, peeling and redness. Generally they subside in a few weeks. Some people prefer to use an over-the-counter retinoid product such as retinyl palmitate, which can fade age spots with fewer side effects. While over-the-counter retinols are not as strong and it will take longer to get rid of your age spots, this may be a good place to start.

TRY ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS(AHA

As we age, our outer skin layers regenerate more slowly. You can help the process of sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal new, softer and smoother skin with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane, is one of the most popular AHAs and it’s available in a number of over-the-counter products. Glycolic acid is a natural skin exfoliator and has been well researched and shown to be effective for skin cell renewal, especially for UV-damaged skin.

HYDROQUINONE

Hydroquinone has long been the preferred treatment for fading age spots, but new studies have indicated it may cause cancer in rats. While this has not been confirmed in human studies, it is not a product I can recommend.

DERMATOLOGIST

Age spots can also be treated with microdermabrasion, laser, freezing, or chemical peel. These methods can be quite costly, so many women prefer to try a less expensive method, such as one of the products mentioned above, first.

HOW TO PREVENT AGE SPOTS

The number one thing you can do to prevent new age spots from forming is to minimize your exposure to the sun and wear UVA/UVB sun protection – a minimum of SPF 30 -- every day of the year.