Age spots, also known as liver spots or brown spots, are a common occurrence among those 55 years and older. While these blemishes are neither cancerous nor precancerous, their presence alone can be quite a nuisance. As a result, many people search for a quick and easy treatment for age spots so they can regain their youthful appearance boost their self-confidence. There are roughly 4 different methods that have proven to be effective for removing age spots. We’ll take a brief look at each one so you can determine which one suits you best.

IPL Treatment

IPL, also known as photorejuvenation, stands for Intensed Pulsed Light. This treatment for age spots is a non-ablative which simply means it doesn’t damage the surface of the skin. With IPL, intense light is sent to the deeper layers of your skin (dermis) without touching the superficial layers (epidermis). This innovative method is good for removing age spots because it uses the pulsed light to stimulate new collagen growth while fading discoloration and evening your skin tone.

The only drawback about IPL is that it has to be performed by a trained medical professional. The procedure can be quite expensive, too. You’d have to have 4 to 6 IPL treatments to see real results. At $300 to 600 per session, you could easily end up spending $1200 to $2200 to reach your goals.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is still a fairly new procedure, but it’s relatively safe. Laser resurfacing is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines but also works well as a treatment for age spots. Because this procedure requires some sedation it has to be performed in in a doctor’s office. Laser resurfacing is a popular treatment many plastic surgeons offer to help with removing age spots and other deep blemishes.

Like IPL, laser resurfacing can be quite expensive. The national average for this procedure is nearly $3,000 but many doctors offer financing so patients can take advantage of monthly payments.

Bleaching Creams

Bleaching creams are great for bleaching large areas of discoloration. However, as a treatment for age spots, bleaching creams tend to bleach the areas surrounding the spots more than the spots themselves. You can either purchase bleaching creams from your dermatologist or get them over the counter at your local drug store. Some people say bleaching creams are slow at removing age spots while others swear by them. Either way you can see some results.

Home Chemical Peels

A home chemical peel is perhaps the most cost-efficient and effective treatment for age spots available. It works by removing layers of dead skin over a period of several days (usually less than a week) in order to reveal fresh, new skin that is both younger looking and more supple. Lighter peels remove fewer layers of dead skin while deeper peels can remove as many as four layers of dead skin.

Many home chemical peel kits provide dermatologist-quality results at a fraction of the cost. As a result, they tend to be one of the most sought after solutions for removing age spots. The average home chemical peel kit will cost you about $80 for a basic kit and $660 for a more advanced kit. This is significantly less than the $300 to $2000 you would pay to have the same treatment done in a dermatologist’s office. This turns out to be a savings of $220 to $1340.

Here’s a testimonial from an anonymous woman who used Skin Culture Peel treatments to get rid of age spots:

I am a 31 year old African American. When I was 25 I noticed two dark patches under my eyes. I first made an appointment to see my doctor, and he asked me if I was taking any medication or birth control pills. I told him that I had used birth control pills in the past, but was not on them at the time the marks occured. He suggested that I see a dermatologist. Here is my story after using your peeling cream.

I tried your weakest treatment first, not knowing that this would only remove the first layer of skin. I returned the cream to you telling you that this cream is not recommended for black skin. (You have a copy of my letter in your files). After about a week I saw a change in color in the area that I used the cream on (the darks patches under my eyes), it seems to be lighter. It was amazing, I couldn’t beleive my eyes. I have tried peeling creams and a chemical peel by a well known dermatologist, but the areas around my eyes only became darker. I even visited a plastic surgeon, who said that the marks were age spots and deep into my skin and that I would have to live with this for the rest of my life. He even suggested that I see a psychologist since I was so upset about what my skin was going through.

I tried everything, spent tons of money but to no avail until I tried your peeling cream #2 (Peel 2000). I must say this is my second time using the #2 peel and I can see a big change. Last week I ordered another treatment to remove the top layer of dead skin. All I can say to your African American readers is this peeling cream is the best for your skin. Thank God we can enjoy the skin we were born with. I would like to say to Skin Culture Institute, Thank you, Thank you.

-Anonymous

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Home Remedies to Get Rid of Age Spots
By Juliet Cohen

Age spots are collections of pigment caused by exposure to the sun. (also called liver spots and solar lentigo) Age Spots also called is Liver spots and solar lentigo. Age spots are flat, gray, brown or black spots. Liver spots are flat brown-black spots that usually occur in sun-exposed areas of the body. Liver spots are extremely common after the age of 55 and occur most commonly on the backs of hands or the forehead. True age spots are harmless and don’t need treatment, but they can look like cancerous growths. For cosmetic reasons, age spots can be lightened with skin-bleaching products or removed. Liver spots mostly appear in areas consistently exposed to sunlight (the face and backs of hands, for example), although they also are occasionally found on less exposed areas. Ultraviolet (UV) light accelerates the production of melanin. Melanin is the dark pigment in the epidermis that gives your skin its normal color. The extra melanin is produced to protect the deeper layers of your skin — creates the darker color of a tan. Age spots develop when the extra melanin becomes “clumped” or is produced in higher concentrations than normal. Skin discoloration is caused by increased pigmentation. Sun avoidance and the use of good sun screen protection can help lessen the appearance of both lentigines and freckles.

Age spots are harmless. Age spots range from freckle-size to more than a centimeter across and can group together, making them more prominent. Often, age spots are accompanied by other signs of sun damage. Symptom is a skin lesion that is a painless, flat patch or macule (area of skin color change). Liver spots are the result of a “ceroid” pigment build up in the skin of older people. These latter spots are the outward signs of free radical destruction within the body. There is pre-oxidation of fats—in the cells instead of in the liver. Free radical damage produces waste materials in cells throughout the body, including the brain and liver. Liver spots do not become cancerous. Still, if a spot changes in color, size, or shape. Age spots can be treated with freezing, acids, skin sanding, electric needle and any other methods which causes a superficial destruction of the skin. Lasers are much more precise and less damaging to the skin because light is used to selectively remove the pigment without damaging the normal surrounding skin. There is also less pain and less healing time required to recover from laser treatment than with non-laser treatments. Liver spots can be lightened with skin-bleaching products or removed by freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Cryotherapy (freezing) or laser treatment may be recommended to destroy the liver spots.

Age spots home remedies Tips

1.Aloe Rubbing fresh aloe vera juice or gel on the spots will help fade them. Use the gel twice a day for a month or two. Juice from the aloe plant is excellent for healing burns and is also beneficial as a general healing agent.

2.Apple cider vinegar Combine two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with one teaspoon of orange juice and apply to the spots, preferably on a cloth or cotton pad that is secured to the area.

3.Bilberry herb slows some of the aging processes and acts as an antioxidant. Take 4-8 oz. of fresh berries, 80-160 mg of bilberry extract (25% anthocyanidin), or 20-40 mg anthocyanosides daily.

4.Buttermilk Dab buttermilk on the spots. The lactic acid and other ingredients in the milk are beneficial to the skin. Buttermilk has been used for generations as a skin cleanser and as a beauty aid.

5.Castor oil Apply castor oil on the spots in the morning and in the evening, and rub well into the skin. The spots should disappear within a month.

6. Take fresh or canned chick peas (garbanzo beans), mash about 1/3 cupful and add a little water. Smear this paste on the spots and leave it there until it dries.

7.Dandelion Break open a dandelion stem and rub the sap on the spots 2-3x per day. Good for warts, too. Will Greer (Grandpa Walton) used this method successfully.

8.Using the ancient Chinese herb gotu kola. Mix 1/8 teaspoon of powdered herb into a cup of herbal tea or add it to plain hot water along with 1/8 teaspoon of ginseng and a pinch of cayenne. This remedy should clear the spots in a few days.

9. Mix one teaspoon grated horseradish root, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, and 3 drops rosemary essential oil. Dab onto your age spots with a cotton ball once or twice a day (less if you have sensitive skin); it will exfoliate the top layer of skin and your spot should lighten. Jeanette Jacknin, M.D. in Smart Medicine for Your Skin.

10.Some fresh lemon juice on the spots twice daily. If you are going outdoors, wait for the juice to dry as it increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. It may take a few months, but the acidity in the juice will cause the spots to fade away.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for health care clinic and home remedies. She also writes articles on beauty tips.

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