How To Get Rid of Age Spots, Dark Spots & Liver Spots on Hands, Arms, Legs, Body, Face

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Carrot & Stick Pigmentation Routine

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Formulyst Dark Spot Cream

A spray of freckles across the nose and cheeks looks undeniably cute, and a new wave of celebrities and supermodels are showing off their freckles. More and more women have stopped trying to camouflage freckles and are choosing to embrace them. But when freckles morph into age spots, they can quickly become not so cute. Here’s a look at what causes age spots, and how to treat them.

What Are The Best Age Spot Removers for Body, Hands, Legs, Arms, Chest, Neck & Face?

Getting rid of age spots comes down to two basic options- products, or in-office procedures. Products include creams and serums but they must be used religiously. In general if you stop using them, the dark spots will come back. The products often have to be applied twice a day and results may take a while. In-office procedures include lasers, cryotherapy (essentially freezing off the dark spot), chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Most people use a combination of approaches.

There are plenty of products which can help fade dark spots, but it is important to keep in mind that consistent and sustained use is key. Here are some of the best ingredients and strategies for getting rid of dark spots. Most products that help fade dark spots contain a cocktail of skin lightening ingredients, which helps boost their efficacy and prevents irritation. Here’s a breakdown.

Prescribed, Compounded Formulas
Compounded products are very powerful. They should be used with the skincare products mentioned below.

We recommend Formulyst Dark Spot Cream.

Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is effective at lightening dark spots as it is basically a bleach for the skin. It is found in many Asian lightening/brightening products and works by blocking the melanin-producing enzyme tyrosinase.

We recommend Formulyst Dark Spot Cream.

Vitamin C
The antioxidant vitamin C is a skin care ingredient all-star frequently found in brightening serums and cleansers. It helps fade discoloration and tackles hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C can be also be found in moisturizers and eye creams. It also works to smooth out skin texture and stabilize the skin after exposure to UV rays.

We recommend Carrot & Stick The Defense Serum

Natural Lighteners for Age Spots
If you want to avoid hydroquinone, look for naturally derived ingredients such as licorice root, mulberry extract and kojic acid, which comes from fungi. They all work on dark spots by helping to inhibit a melanin producing enzyme. Another ingredient to look for on labels is ellagic acid, a compound that can be found in some vegetables, nuts and fruits. It is a natural antioxidant containing polyphenolic, which helps inhibits the formation of sun and age spots.

We recommend Carrot & Stick The Multi Active Radiance Serum

Retinol
Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is another all-around star when it comes to skincare. It helps soften the look of fine lines and also works to fade dark spots and skin discoloration. It works by revving up skin cell turnover, to reveal fresher and smoother looking skin. Retinols also penetrate deeply into the skin’s surface. Using a retinol can cause irritation and peeling of the skin, so it is best to start slowly and build up to more frequent use. It can also make the skin more prone to sunburns, so be extra vigilant about applying sunscreen.

We recommend Carrot & Stick The Retinol Serum.

At Home Exfoliation
Exfoliation is one of the most important things you can do for the skin. It not only whisks away old, dead skin cells which clog pores and make the face look dull but it helps skin look more radiant as it removes a layer of skin. One of the most gentle ways to exfoliate the skin is with an AHA or BHA (beta hydroxy acid) laced product, such as a mask or peel. Look for ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid or lactic acid. Try starting with an AHA or BHA cleanser before ramping up to a mask. Exfoliators made from rice enzymes are also gentle on the skin. Another way to whisk away old skin cells is with a sonic cleansing brush but be careful not to overdo it, which could leave your face irritated.

Microdermabrasion and Peels
A doctor or medical professional can perform a deeper exfoliation with either a chemical peel, or microdermabrasion. This procedure buffs away the top layer of skin using a fine spray of crystals, leaving the skin soft and smooth – and helping to fade dark spots. Multiple treatments may be necessary to achieve the desired results. A chemical peel is another way to exfoliate by using acid to remove the top layer of skin. Healing times and results vary.

We recommend Carrot & Stick Micro Peel Exfoliator

Age Spot Removal with Laser
Lasers can also help fade dark spots, and they work in different ways. With laser resurfacing, beams of light remove layers of skin to get rid of hyperpigmentation, and new skin grows in in its place. Healing time can range from 10 to 21 days. IPL (intense pulsed light) lasers target the melanin and break it up to get rid of it. Multiple sessions at a dermatologist’s office are usually needed to see results.

Cryotherapy for Age Spots
Another option for tackling age spots on the hands is cryotherapy, which can be done in a doctor’s office. Cryotherapy fades dark spots by freezing them with a liquid nitrogen solution, which then causes the dark skin to peel off. Every procedure carries risk, and some possible side effects include over lightening of the skin and permanent white scars, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

What Are The Best Age Spot Treatments to Try?

We recommend Carrot & Stick Pigmentation Routine for Age Spots.Carrot & Stick’s Pigmentation Routine contains a dark spot corrector serum, peel and brightening serum. This triple action kit is a powerful treatment for dark spots. Use daily.

And we recommend Formulyst Dark Spot Corrector, a custom, prescribed product, every second day. The combinator makes a powerful treatment.

FAQs

What causes dark spots?

Dark spots result from hyperpigmentation due to acne scarring or spending too much time in the sun. Other causes include hormonal issues, liver damage, genetics, and various skin disorders.

Where do dark spots occur?

Dark spots can occur anywhere on the body, though they’re mostly found on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip, or around the mouth. They can also appear on the neck, hands, and legs. But keep in mind: dark spots can pretty much pop up anywhere, especially areas of your body that are more often exposed to the sun.

What do dermatologists recommend for dark spots?

Dermatologists typically recommend laser treatments, chemical peels, cryotherapy, microdermabrasion, or a prescription cream — all of which lessen the appearance of dark spots faster than topical products.

Why won’t my dark spots fade?

You may be doing too much to fade stubborn spots. Suppose you’re using overly harsh products such as astringents or non-skin-safe spot correctors — or are trying to “scrub” marks away with an exfoliator. In that case, you can actually worsen the pigmentation. The skin can become darker and rougher in texture.

Is retinol or vitamin C better for dark spots?

Both are incredibly effective. Vitamin C brightens and improves pigmentation issues, while retinol stimulates collagen production, another way to remove dark spots. You have to be careful not to use retinol that’s too strong for your skin because it can cause inflammation and exacerbate dark spots. You can find some dark spot serums that are safely formulated to include both active ingredients, which is a win-win.

Those with darker skin tones may have a higher risk of discoloration or hyperpigmentation from the use of retinol, so this ingredient (along with prescription-strength ingredients) should be used sparingly.

How do I apply the best dark spot correctors?

There isn’t one answer to this question because it depends on the formula, strength, and size of the area(s) you’re treating. Generally, prescription-strength creams are applied only to areas of concern a few times a week. For the most part, OTC correctors such as those on our list can be applied daily and all over the face — but be sure to read the instructions on the package first. Don’t forget the sunscreen during the day.

How can I remove dark spots on my skin naturally?

While you shouldn’t expect any miracles, som

How can I remove dark spots on my skin naturally?

While you shouldn’t expect any miracles, som

Can age spots occur on hands, legs and arms?

The skin on the back of the hands is very thin and receives plenty of sun exposure, as most people don’t apply sunscreen to their hands every day. If you’re concerned about age spots on the hands, you can buy SPF gloves for everyday use.

Yes, age spots on legs are also common. Brown spots can appear anywhere on the body that has had sun exposure, especially in places where you may have missed a spot with sunscreen, such as the back of the legs and knees.

What are age spots?

Age spots are also called dark spots, hyperpigmentation, sun spots and liver spots. You may be wondering what an age spot looks like. In the most basic terms, they are flat brown, tan or black spots on the skin. A raised dark spot is most likely a mole (but anything suspicious looking should be checked out by a doctor). Some acne scars may also look like dark spots as skin creates melanin when it is inflamed.

A true age spot is called a “solar lentigine,” according to the Mayo Clinic, and is caused by repeated and prolonged sun exposure. A freckle, on the other hand, can be caused by genetics. Another key difference between a freckle and an age spot is that freckles tend to fade in the winter and come back in the summer. Old age spots don’t go away. They often just get bigger.