Age spots are the unsightly result of too much sun exposure. While feeling the warm glow of the sun on your skin is wonderful, the skin damage it can cause isn’t.

Luckily, simple treatments can help give your skin a younger, smoother appearance.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of age spots, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about how to remove them.

From non-invasive treatments to prevention, here’s a crash course in age spot removal 101.

What Are Age Spots?
Age spots are dark areas on the skin’s surface that are typically small and round. They may look similar to a large freckle. Depending on how much they are exposed to the sun, an age spot will vary in color and size.

You can develop age spots on your hands, face, arms, or shoulders. Age spots are also known as sunspots or liver spots.

They are called age spots because they most commonly occur in adults over 50 years old. If you don’t protect yourself from the sun, however, you can develop age spots at any time.

An age spot is a sign that your body is trying to protect itself from the sun’s harmful rays.

It is common to mistake an age spot for cancer. Although this can be alarming, a true age spot isn’t cancerous.

If you see a change in spots on your skin, contact your doctor as this can be a warning sign for potential melanoma.

Why You Should Remove Age Spots?
While age spots can appear at any age, they most often occur on older adults. As we age, we have more time exposed to the sun and more opportunities for damage.

Although age spots aren’t dangerous on their own, they are a sign of skin damage caused by the sun.

When you start to see age spots appear, it often means you have spent a little too much time in the sun unprotected. Unprotected skin exposure can cause further sun damage and even cancer.

Overactive pigment cells are what cause age spots. The UV light helps produce melanin and this is what gives our skin its natural color.

When you’re exposed to the sun too much, you’ll see high concentrations of melanin start to appear. Using a tanning bed can also have the same effect.

Sunspots or age spots can also cause premature aging. The smoother your skin, the younger you look.

Diagnosing Age Spots
An age spot will look similar to a freckle. Unlike a freckle, they won’t fade with time or limited sun exposure.

You will often see sunspots on people with lighter skin. Age spots are flat, oval areas that have darker pigmentation. An age spot is most commonly dark brown or tan.

Age spots are often seen in areas where you are most exposed to the sun. Common places include the tops of your shoulders, back of your hands, upper back, top of your feet, and on your face.

The size of an age spot ranges from a small freckle to half an inch. You will often see age spots grouped. This can make your spots more noticeable.

Age Spots Removal
Although age spots alone aren’t harmful, too much exposure to the sun is. Sun damage can cause more serious conditions that are worth monitoring.

Ape spots can be treated in a few different ways. Because age spots won’t fade on their own as a freckle can, if they are bothering you, you’ll want to get them removed by a professional dermatologist.

Age spots can make your skin appear older. When you want to remove brown spot clusters there are effective laser treatments that can be performed.

Treatments are non-invasive and they will work on any skin tone or pigment.

How to Get Rid of Age Spots Through Laser Treatments
Professional laser treatments will lighten dark spots and even out your skin tone.

These procedures can be done fairly quickly, and you can go home the same day.

Right after your treatments, you’ll see the skin start to crust over and shed. This is common and each day your skin will look noticeably clearer.

Within two weeks you’ll see visibly smoother and clearer skin.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of age spots on your face, laser treatments performed by a dermatologist are the most successful.

Age Spot Prevention
Prevention is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Age spots are caused by exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. In San Diego, you’re far more likely to be exposed to the sun throughout the year.

To protect yourself and your skin, always apply sunscreen with at least an SPF 15. This is especially important in areas where age spots are common.

Always apply sunscreen to your face, shoulders, neck, arms, as well as the top of your hands and feet. If your head or the back of your neck is exposed, lather up there as well.

Make sure you also reapply sunscreen often. When you’re getting in and out of the water, reapply every time.

In addition to sunscreen, wear protective clothing like hats and sunglasses. Cover your arms with sleeves and make sure your hat has a wide brim.

Even when you’re out running errands, you can wear sunscreen under your make-up and use products that have an SPF. When you’re at the beach, however, make-up won’t cut it.

When to Call a Professional
Removing sunspot damage will give your skin a significantly smoother appearance. When it comes to how to get rid of age spots, you’ll want to speak with a professional about laser treatments.

Laser treatments are fast and effective. After treatment, you can go home that same day.

Age spots don’t go away on their own. Thankfully, simple medical treatments can have your skin looking younger and smoother in no time.

If you see new skin changes involving black spots or spots that are getting bigger, have your doctor take a look.

If you’re ready to speak with a San Diego dermatologist about your age spots, fill out the contact form here to get more information.