What are Sun Spots?
Sun spots—also called age or liver spots—are flat, dark blemishes on your face, hands, arms, or neck that appear due to the accumulation of UV light exposure over the years. They’re very common in people over 50 but can occur in younger people who’ve gotten a lot of sun exposure. Sun spots can sometimes look like cancerous growths, but true sun spots are harmless.
How Do I Get Rid of Sunspots?
While sun spots aren’t dangerous, they can make you look old. Today, there are a variety of treatment options that either lighten the spots or remove them along with the surface layer of your skin. Some of these treatments include:
- Bleaching creams
- Laser and light therapies
- Chemical peels
- Microdermabrasion
Dr. Bingham has expert knowledge of all of these options and can help you determine which treatment will work best for your skin.
How Do I Prevent Sun Spots?
Sun exposure before age 20 is the major factor in determining how your skin will look later in life. Unfortunately for a lot of people, that’s already a done deal. But don’t lose all hope—you can still prevent sun spots from getting larger and darker by following these tips to limit sun exposure:
- Stay inside from 10am-2pm: The sun's rays are most intense during this period, so try to do your outdoor activities at other times of the day. If sunspots run in your family, take extra care to avoid UV exposure.
- Use the right sunscreen: Fifteen to 30 minutes before you go outside, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Make sure that it provides protection from both UVA and UVB light and has an SPF of at least 30.
- Cover yourself up: Wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, and a broad-brimmed hat. You can also buy clothes with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 40–50 to get the best protection.
Dr. Bingham can offer more advice on prevention and determine the sunspot treatment that will work for you. If sunspots are stopping you from looking and feeling your best, schedule an appointment at Coastal Hills Dermatology today.
