Seeing liver spots on your face is a dark day for many people. Life is a gift, but no one likes getting reminded of how long they've been experiencing it. The wrinkles and crow's feet are bad enough, but sunspots are like the nail in the coffin.

Knowing how to treat sunspots is vital for reclaiming your skin's youthful and healthy look. The fact is UV rays cause the majority of skin issues that make you look older. Treating sunspots doesn't only get rid of the brown splotches.

It promotes healthier, rejuvenated skin with long-term results. Want to know how you can get more youthful skin? For a rundown of how to treat sunspots and keep them off, read our guide below.

 

What Are Sunspots?

Almost everyone gets sunspots as they get older, and they go by many names. They're also known as age spots or liver spots. Although the aging component is a factor, the liver plays no role in how or when you get sunspots.

Sunspots are the result of the gradual effect of UV rays. Frequent sun exposure, over a lifetime, increases your chances of developing them. Although they can show up all over your body, your face is a common site for them.

This makes sense, as the face is usually left exposed in daily life, whereas clothing offers protection for the rest of your body. Naked or swimsuit sunbathing and frequent trips to the beach also increase the risk.

 

How Getting Sunspots Works

It's important to stress that developing sunspots isn't like getting a sunburn or a tan. It's a slow process that picks up after the age of 40. It isn't associated with any pain or sensations and isn't dangerous for your health.

Sunspots are only cosmetic, and many find them unpleasant to have or look at from an aesthetic perspective. They often appear as flat areas and have a concentrated brown color. That said, white or pale discolored sunspots can also occur.

Your skin has naturally pigmented cells called melanocytes. If you've heard of melanin, the dark pigment that affects skin tone, these cells are responsible for making it. UV rays cause melanocytes to grow and multiply at faster rates.

The net result is an increased melanin level in certain spots of your face, leading to sunspots. As it turns out, exposure to UV rays is responsible for most aging-related skin conditions. These range from wrinkles to sunspots and, of course, skin cancers.

 

Sunspots Are Not Dangerous

It's worth reiterating that sunspots are not dangerous. However, they can appear in those younger than 40. Although this is somewhat uncommon, it does happen.

Aside from looking ugly and making you feel older, the worry around sunspots comes from fears they may be cancerous.

This is a fair concern since any sudden change or growth on your skin is often cause for alarm. The first thing you should do is consult your doctor, or better yet, your dermatologist. They'll be able to determine if your sunspots are signs of something else like cancer.

Dermatologists can also suggest which of the treatments in this guide may work best for you. If you need something to tide you over while you wait for your doctor, it's worth noticing the shape and texture of the spots. Sunspots should be flat, so if they're bumpy, raised, or have an asymmetrical shape, it could be a sign of a tumor.

Not all tumors are malignant or cancerous, so you don't need to panic. However, seeing a dermatologist as soon as is feasible for you is a good idea. It will give you peace of mind, whether your sunspots are suspicious-looking or not.

 

Laser Treatments

When it comes to getting rid of sunspots on the skin, laser treatments are a tried and tested method. Of these, photofacial treatment is quite common. Known as IPL, or Intense pulse light, this treatment is quick and convenient.

It involves several 30-minute sessions. How many of these sessions you'll need will depend on your specific case and needs. Consulting your specialist will give you a better idea.

IPL works by targeting the melanin causing the sunspots and destroying them. The laser will use specific wavelengths of light to heat up and remove problematic pigmented cells. New less pigmented melanocytes will grow in place of the ones you've lasered, getting rid of the spots.

 

Ablative and Non-Ablative Laser Treatment

Another common laser option is laser resurfacing. It goes by different names and variations but is generally ablative or a hybrid of ablative and non-ablative. Ablative laser treatments use thermal energy to "peel" off the top layer of skin where the pigmentation is.

The idea is to replace the old pigmented layer with a fresher and newly grown one. Healing takes anywhere from 10 to 21 days, depending on the severity and your natural healing. Non-ablative options, like Fraxel, are less intense with less downtime.

In non-ablative laser treatments, the goal isn't to slough off the skin so it can regrow. Instead, the laser affects deeper layers to improve your natural collagen production. Collagen is a major factor in keeping skin healthy and looking youthful.

As you get older, your skin produces less collagen. By stimulating your collagen production, treatments like Fraxel are playing the long game. You'll notice initial results in the first week, as your skin begins to revitalize thanks to the up-tick in collagen.

That said, you might need to wait around 3-6 months for your skin to complete the process and get rid of the sunspots. Non-ablative methods like this are super popular with celebrities.

 

Microneedling

If you're worried about sunspots on your face but lasers and chemical peels scare you, never fear. Although those treatments are effective and safe, they aren't everyone's cup of tea. Some feel they're too invasive or don't like the downtime of healing or the extra effort for aftercare.

Microneedling is safe, fast, effective, and non-invasive. It works by using a small roller or device to prick your face with super fine needles. These penetrate the skin on your face enough to trigger the repair and recovery response.

These don't leave any actual damage but stimulate your skin to create more collagen. Your skin's natural healing response requires collagen to function. Microneedling helps with an assortment of skin conditions beyond only sunspots.

Because it stimulates deeper collagen production, it's pretty similar to non-ablative laser methods. The treatment aims to help your body repair areas damaged by the sun or UV rays. Because of this, results will take time as your skin's healing response gets to work.

As a result of micro-needling, you'll notice firmer and younger-looking skin, as well as fewer sunspots. In most cases, sunspots will fade away to almost nothing, but in others, your skin will get rid of them completely.

 

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are another way of dealing with sunspots. Like with some laser treatments, chemical peels help encourage collagen growth. They also force your skin to shed its outer layer so that the healthier one underneath can grow and replace it.

It does this by applying a mild acid to your face to melt and peel that top-most layer where the sunspots are. The process of letting your dead skin fall off only takes a few days, and you'll get healthier, more vibrant skin. This treatment is safe for most people and allows for custom levels of intensity.

Your dermatologist will review your expectations, risks, and needs with you. Together you'll determine which concentration is both safe and necessary to achieve results. Some people are allergic or super-sensitive to chemical peels, so caution is key.

If your risk factor is low, as it is with most people, then chemical peels help with more than only sunspots. They allow your skin to rejuvenate, so you'll notice firmer skin with fewer wrinkles or fine lines. Even old scars will fade after a chemical peel.

 

Microdermabrasion

When looking into how to treat sunspots, microdermabrasion is a good method to consider. It's very gentle on the skin and doesn't come with the same sensitivity concerns as chemical peels. It works by spraying your face with very fine crystals that rub away the sun-damaged layer.

The goal is to get rid of that top layer so that a new one can replace it. It's the professional way of exfoliating your face and can even promote collagen. Your top layer of skin is the one that shows all the signs of aging and UV damage.

Microdermabrasion helps improve and accelerate the natural process of skin repair. Depending on the severity of your sunspots, it can be a great choice compared to other methods. It also doesn't have the same kinds of downtime as ablative laser alternatives or chemical peels.

Normal dermabrasion is also available but not recommended. It's rougher on the face than it needs to be and isn't usually required to get rid of facial sunspots. Dermabrasion also isn't ideal or even safe for all skin types.

Microdermabrasion is softer and effective enough as is. It's more powerful than your daily exfoliator but not as harsh on your skin as other options. Talk to your dermatologist to see if it's something that could work for you.

 

What You Can Do At Home

You'll find that there are a lot of DIY and home remedies available online. Most of them claim to be effective and a more "natural" way to get rid of sunspots. While they may sound promising, they won't compare to getting it done professionally.

That said, there are things you can and should do at home. Since sunspots, and most signs of aging, are a result of sun and UV exposure, getting a good SPF sunscreen is vital. There are many different skincare products and even makeup that help protect you.

Even during the winter months, or if it's cloudy, UV rays still reach you and damage your skin. Exposure to UV causes your skin to respond by upping the production of darker skin pigments. While this can be great for a tan, it catches up to you and creates a spiraling cycle.

 

Protecting Yourself Outside of and Alongside Treatment

Your treatments will reset the pigmentation but still open you to fresh UV damage. After treatment, damaging your skin again will cause your skin spots to come back with a vengeance. Shutting yourself inside isn't a vial option, so protecting yourself is essential.

When going outside, wear hats with brims to protect your face, and try to stay out of the sun for long periods. Sunscreen can help here, but so can a beach or sun umbrella. Incorporate skincare into your routine that helps resurface the skin and boost collagen production.

Retinols, vitamin C, and Bakuchiol are only some options you can research and use. It's important to remember two caveats, however. Firstly, these should be a part of an established routine with the rest of your skincare.

This means you can't forget or neglect to use them. They won't work after only 1 or 2 uses but through consistent use and upkeep for several months. Secondly, for optimal results, you should use these products alongside regular consultations.

This means having a dermatologist and visiting them on a regular basis to assess things. The treatments we've listed in this guide work very well, and you should pair them with appropriate home-use products. Skincare isn't a replacement for treatment or a doctor's opinion but supplements them.

 

How to Treat Sunspots

When it comes to how to treat sunspots on your face, there are several things to consider. A range of effective treatments exists, but only you and your dermatologist can pick one. In addition to researching and undergoing treatment, you need to take care of your skin after.

To keep your face sunspot-free and look younger and more vibrant, you'll need experts you can trust. At Theraderm, we know clinical skincare. Drop us a line today, and together let's embark on a younger, healthier you.