More than a third of the U.S. population is age 50 or older. Since liver spots tend to start showing up around 50, this means there are a lot of people who may be in need of liver spot removal. Are you one of them?

Even though those dark spots on your skin are harmless, there are many reasons to want them gone. With liver spot removal, you can restore a more youthful appearance by getting rid of this common sign of aging. Age spot treatment is a simple, noninvasive procedure that works on all skin types.

Not familiar with age spots removal yet? We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know about liver spots on the skin, and how to get rid of them.

What Are Liver Spots?
Age spots appear as flat, dark spots on the skin. They might be black, brown, or gray in color, and come in a variety of sizes.

While these spots are commonly associated with age, they actually have more to do with sun exposure than with aging. Even people under 50 can get age spots (also called liver spots) if they’ve spent a lot of time in the sun.

Sun exposure is why you’re most likely to see liver spots on the hands, face, arms, and neck. Those areas tend to get more time in the sun. And while it’s easy to remember to put sunscreen on areas that rarely see the sun, few people remember to put sunscreen on their face, neck, and hands daily.

Age spots can mimic skin cancer, but they’re actually harmless. Still, many people will want these clear signs of aging removed from their skin.

What Causes Liver Spots on Skin?
So, how does sun exposure create these dark spots on your skin?

In truth, researchers aren’t yet quite sure why they develop. We do know that they’re caused by excess production of melanin — the pigment of the skin. Something about prolonged sun exposure seems to cause excess melanin production in these individual spots.

If you have fair skin, spend a lot of time in the sun, or use tanning beds, you’re more likely to develop age spots. Once the spots show up, they won’t go away on their own. However, there are ways to get them removed.

Your Options for Liver Spot Removal
Don’t like those spots on your skin? You’re not alone. Many people opt for age spot removal. Here’s what you can do to get rid of them.

Skin-Lightening Cream
Many people turn to over-the-counter skin bleaching treatments for age spot removal. However, there are some reasons why these treatments aren’t the best way to get results.

These products slowly lighten age spots over time. They take a very long time to work, though, and aren’t always completely effective. You’ll need to carefully apply the bleaching cream to your skin twice daily. Then, you’ll see results in about six months to a year.

Many people don’t want to wait that long to get rid of their age spots, of course. Luckily, there are faster and more effective liver spot removal treatments out there.

Laser Removal
Laser removal gives you fast, straightforward results — no waiting for months to see if your age spots will go away. For many people, this is a much better treatment option.

These FDA-approved laser treatments transform your skin from the inside out, for natural-looking results. During your treatment, the laser will briefly pulse beneath your skin to make your dark spots disappear.

While laser treatment may sound intense, it’s actually not invasive and has minimal recovery time. Many people find it painless. In just 10 to 15 minutes per session, you’ll see those unsightly dark spots disappear.

The treatment actually works by removing the top layer of damaged skin. Then, new skin will grow where your age spots were, giving you fresh, even, undamaged skin.

The spots won’t disappear right way, but this treatment does work much faster than bleaching creams do. Immediately after treatment, the treated area will actually look a bit darker. Then, the treated skin will crust over, and the dark spot will shed away. In just two weeks, you’ll see clearer, more even skin.

How to Prepare for Age Spot Treatment
Preparing for your liver spot removal is just as easy as recovering from it.

You’ll want to arrive freshly showered so your skin is clean. However, you should avoid applying lotions or other cosmetic products to the area. If there’s a lot of hair in the area, you may also need to shave before your treatment.

For a few days before your appointment, you should avoid products that produce light sensitivity in your skin. This can include anti-aging topical treatments like retinol and AHAs.

You should also make sure to tell your treatment provider about any medications you’re taking. If you need to stop taking any of them before your treatment, they’ll be able to tell you. If you’ve had other treatments, like dermal fillers, in the area, your laser treatment provider will need to know that too.

Also, plan to avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for several weeks after the treatment. Protecting your skin from the sun and UV rays is always a good idea to prevent age spots. But while your skin is recovering from the laser treatment, it’s especially important to avoid this exposure.

Finding the Best Spa to Remove Dark Spots
Ready to sign up for liver spot removal and get rid of dark spots for good? Now, all you need to do is find an experienced treatment provider who will give you great results.

While many locations offer these services, the best ones have an experienced staff of nurse practitioners and certified laser technicians. You’ll want your treatment provider to have this experience, so they can create a custom treatment plan and deliver the results you want.

Need to narrow down your options in the San Diego area? Look no further — Better Off has what you need! Contact us today to get started with natural, effective liver spot removal.