Figuring out how to get rid of age spots is like a rite of passage—albeit one that occurs a little later in life. Also known as sun spots (or solar lentigines), these common spots “are pigment your skin made in response to years of sun exposure,” says Aderonke Obayomi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
Vogue’s Favorite Products to Fade Age Spots:
Unlike acne scars that eventually fade or melasma that emerges when you’re pregnant, age spots are directly linked to sunlight. “Ultraviolet light signals melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, to go into overdrive in specific spots—and over time those cells stay switched on even when you are out of the sun,” she says. That’s why a spot that appears after decades in the sun doesn’t disappear after a week or two.
Age spots aren’t just a matter of color, either. While their darker pigmentation can lean red and brown, there’s also “a textural change that can be seen with many age spots—dry texture and for some people, rough patches of skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
Keep in mind, however, that age spots can sometimes be a case of mistaken identity; after all, there are plenty of other brown spots on the skin. For instance, “melasma shows up as larger, symmetric patches, usually on the cheeks, upper lip, and forehead, and is driven by hormones and heat as much as by sun,” says Dr. Obayomi. “Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the mark left behind after acne, a bug bite, or a scratch.” All three require very different approaches. And on top of that, some lookalikes could also be skin cancer. “If a spot is changing in size, shape, or color, or simply looks different from everything else on your skin, that needs a professional eye promptly, because some skin cancers present as a dark spot,” says Dr. Obayomi. All to say: It’s worth starting with a trip to a dermatologist to understand what you’re working with.
The Best Products to Get Rid of Age Spots
Starting with the good news: Topical serums and creams can go a long way in minimizing age spots. However, in-office treatments tend to be more powerful and yield results more quickly, so the ideal approach would be to pair them. Lasers, chemical peels, and treatments like intense pulsed light (IPL) can also go a long way in lightening age spots, according to Dr. Nazarian.
