Age spots: What are they, causes &
how to get rid of them
Age Spots
on Skin
Do you have brown spots on your hands or small, dark discolourations on your face? Don't worry, these age spots are natural and harmless skin reactions. However, if you'd like to reduce their appearance, this guide is for you. Discover what age spots are, their causes and handy tips on how to effectively prevent and reduce them.
What are age spots on the
face, hands and body?
Age spots are light brown to black discolourations of the skin. Because they increase in number and intensity over the years, they're called "age spots". Essentially, they're pigment spots that pop up as your skin ages and after years of sun exposure.
- Age spots on the face:
Age spots on the face are very common as it's an area frequently exposed to the sun, which is a primary trigger for them. Age spots on the face are darkened patches of skin that typically appear in areas such as the cheeks, forehead and nose.
- Age spots on the hands:
Age spots usually show up on the backs of your hands and, just like age spots on the face, can grow and merge together over time.
Age spots on hands can appear flat and brownish in colour, which can make them look like brown stains. Sometimes age spots on hands can appear as raised growths known as seborrhoeic keratosis.
- Age spots on the body:
Age spots can also appear on other parts of the body, commonly on the arms, shoulders and legs. They're the most common cause of discolouration and, just like on the face, these pigmentations develop from sun exposure, hormonal changes, pregnancy or some types of medications.
Whether on your face, hands or body, age spots usually appear from around the age of 40 and are a natural sign of ageing. After all, your skin has looked after you for many years. They can affect people of all skin types, but are more common in adults with light skin.
The different types of
age spots
Age spots typically fall into two main types based on their causes and appearance:
- Senile Lentigines:
Senile lentigines are age spots that are a result of the natural ageing process and not just sun exposure. They tend to be smaller and more numerous compared to sun-induced age spots. Senile lentigines may develop on areas of the body that are less frequently exposed to the sun, like the chest, abdomen and back.
- Solaris Lentigines:
These are the most common type of age spots and are caused by prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays. They appear as flat, oval or irregularly shaped spots with varying shades of brown, tan or black. These spots typically occur on areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, arms and upper back.
It's important to remember that age spots are generally harmless and not usually a cause for medical concern. However, it's essential to keep an eye on any changes in the appearance of spots on your skin and chat to a dermatologist if you're unsure about them or if they start to look irregular.
What causes
age spots?
Age spots are primarily caused by prolonged exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Here are the 4 main factors that contribute to their development:
1. Sun Exposure:
The main cause of age spots is excessive sun exposure over the years. UV rays trigger the production of melanin, which leads to darkening of the skin and can result in age spots.
2. Age:
As you get older, your skin becomes more prone to developing age spots. The skin's ability to regenerate and repair itself slows down, making it easier for melanin to build up in certain areas.
3. Genetics:
Your genes can play a role in the development of age spots. If your parents or close relatives have a history of age spots, you might be more likely to get them too.
4. Hormonal Changes:
Hormonal fluctuations, such as during pregnancy or menopause, can also trigger the appearance of age spots.
How to get rid of
age spots?
Getting rid of age spots completely can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do to help reduce them. Here are some effective approaches to minimise how noticeable they are (just keep in mind that some options can be invasive, so it's a good idea to get advice from your dermatologist where needed):
- Skincare Routine:
Follow a skincare routine that specifically targets this concern by using cleansers, serums, moisturisers and a sunscreen that can help fade and reduce the appearance of age spots over time. This is one of the safest and easiest ways to tackle skin concerns, and it’s the one we recommend most.
- Laser Therapy:
Laser treatments, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) or fractional laser therapy, can target and break down melanin in age spots, leading to a reduction in their appearance. These treatments are usually performed by dermatologists or trained professionals.
- Chemical Peels:
Chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to the skin to remove the top layers, encouraging new skin growth and helping reduce the appearance of age spots.
- Cryotherapy:
In this procedure, liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze and destroy the excess melanin in age spots, which can lead to them gradually fading.
- Microdermabrasion:
With this treatment, the upper layers of the skin are removed mechanically. Fine crystals are blasted onto the skin at high speed and then suctioned off again. This can help remove deeper discolourations and encourage the skin to regenerate.
- Home Remedies:
Some natural remedies like lemon juice, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar and green tea extract may help lighten age spots when applied topically. However, it's really important to use these with care and always do a patch test first to avoid skin irritation.
Before you go ahead with any invasive treatment (like laser therapy, chemical peels, cryotherapy or microdermabrasion), have a chat with a dermatologist to work out the best approach for your skin type and how strong your age spots are. And remember, consistent sun protection is key to stopping new age spots from forming and keeping your skin healthy overall.
NIVEA Luminous630 Skincare Routine
to reduce age spots:
Cleanse and Tone: Start your skincare routine with a thorough cleanse and tone to remove dirt and impurities, so your skin is ready to soak up the nourishing ingredients in the rest of your routine.
Serum:
Choose a serum that can help brighten your skin and fade dark spots, including age spots. Choose a serum that could help brighten your skin and fade dark spots, including age spots. Products like the NIVEA LUMINOUS630 Skin Glow Serum 30ml contains an innovative formula with Thiamidol®, the highly effective anti-spot ingredient.
The NIVEA MEN HYDROCARE Power Serum replenishes moisture and provides long-lasting hydration to your skin. Powered by 2X Hyaluron (2) + Vitamin B5+C+E to intensely hydrate the skin's surface and boost the skin's moisture.
Day Cream:
A day cream provides essential moisture and hydration throughout the day, helping restore the skin's natural barrier and shielding it from environmental aggressors like UV rays, pollution and other stressors that can contribute to age spots and other skin concerns.
Night Cream:
At night, to support your skin's natural regeneration process while you sleep, consider using a night cream with ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of age spots.
Sunscreen:
During the day, make sure you protect your skin from further sun damage and shield it from harmful UV rays by applying a sunscreen with a high SPF.
How does Thiamidol
help age spots?
After 10 years of research and testing, NIVEA has introduced a breakthrough solution for dark spot treatment with the patented ingredient Thiamidol, designed to help address melanin production at a cellular level.
Thiamidol is NIVEA's patented ingredient that can help fade and prevent dark spots and age spots, developed by a team of skincare experts. Thiamidol works to safely fade dark spots and help prevent future pigmentation.
The range is also enriched with effective ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which can be found in the advanced treatment serum to brighten the skin. There is also a collagen booster infused in the anti-age and spot serum to help fill deep wrinkles.
How to get rid of
age spots on hands
To minimise age spots on your hands, make a habit of applying sunscreen to the backs of them. Regularly using sunscreen can help prevent further age spots caused by sun exposure.
How to prevent
age spots?
Preventing age spots is all about protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and taking good care of it day to day. Here are some simple ways to help prevent age spots:
Sunscreen:
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher every day, even when it's cloudy. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Sunscreen creates a protective barrier that helps shield your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation.
Seek Shade:
Try to limit your time in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours when the sun's rays are strongest (usually between 10 am and 4 pm). Seek shade under trees, umbrellas or head for cover when you can.
Protective Clothing:
Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts and pants made from tightly woven fabrics to help shield your skin from the sun. By making these simple habits part of your routine and putting sun protection first, you can really cut down your risk of developing age spots and help keep your skin looking healthier and more youthful over time.
Keep Hydrated:
Staying hydrated helps maintain your skin's moisture barrier, which acts as a protective shield against external factors like UV radiation, pollution and free radicals. A strong moisture barrier can help prevent damage that may lead to age spots. To stay hydrated, it's recommended you drink at least 1.2 litres of water a day.
Age spot
Takeaway
Age spots are a common skin condition that many people notice as they get older. They're natural and usually show up on sun-exposed areas like your face, hands and legs. Even though they're a harmless reaction of the skin, they can still be frustrating if you'd really like to fade or remove them.
The good news is that you can help prevent and treat age spots by applying sunscreen regularly and avoiding sunbeds to protect your skin from UV rays. There are also a range of treatment options, including creams, serums, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser therapy and home remedies.
While age spots are generally not dangerous, it's strongly recommended that you get any changing or unusual skin discolouration checked by a dermatologist to rule out more serious skin conditions.
