So, what's the deal with sun spots?
Well, sun spots are those little flat areas on your skin that have more pigmentation, also known as age spots, liver spots, or solar lentigines. They like to pop up when you've had your fair share of exposure to UV light. The sun's rays can speed up the production of melanin, which is responsible for giving color to your skin. Over time, the melanin can clump together and create those darker spots.
You'll typically find them on areas that get the most sun exposure, like the cheeks, hands, bald heads, or shoulders. If your "sun spot" feels weird or has any texture, itches, bleeds, or has multiple colors going on, it's a good idea to have a dermatologist check it out.
So, can you make sun spots disappear?
Well, if you leave them alone, they're not gonna magically vanish. If they don't bother you, no need to stress. But sometimes they can appear in not-so-ideal spots. So, if you want to minimize their appearance, there are some options.
Now, what can you do to prevent sun spots in the first place?
The best line of defense is to protect your skin from the sun's rays. Slather on that zinc sunscreen, rock big hats and sunglasses, and throw on some long sleeves. Try to avoid exposing your skin between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Also, consider taking a supplement like Heliocare, and eating beta carotene rich foods (think orange and red fruits and veggies, eggs, wild salmon) which can help internally shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Trust me, limiting your skin's UV exposure now is the best way to prevent sun spots in the future and keep away other sun-related damage, including skin cancer!
Okay, but what if you already have sun spots and want to bid them farewell?
You don't HAVE to get rid of them, but hey, sometimes they can be annoying when they're in the wrong spot. I personally had 2 spots on the temple of each side of my face from years of fun in the sun. I'll share what treatment I chose to get rid of it and what products I use to prevent them from coming back.
Now, if you're not in a rush and prefer a gentle approach, there are natural solutions you can try. Look for products with ingredients that can help increase cell turnover and repair oxidative damage: Protect Oil, Regenerative oil, Deep Repair Serum, Face Polish. These products are great for sensitive and sun damaged skin since they're less likely to cause irritation or other side effects. I use these products daily and have created a scenario of cell turnover that slows the return of brown spots from 6 months to 24mos or more.
So, let's talk about some dermatological solutions for those pesky sun spots:
LASER AND IPL
These are the speedy superheroes of sun spot treatments, and my personal favorites. You'll see some pretty noticeable results in a relatively short time. But, keep in mind, they can be a bit pricey, uncomfortable and need a few days of down time (envision coffee grounds left on your face from the zapping of brown spots and their light scabbing). If you have darker skin, definitely have a chat with your dermatologist or skin tech before diving into lasers and IPL. Certain procedures can darken or scar skin with more melanin. IPL is usually painless and doesn't require much downtime. I personally do a laser treatment every other year in the winter when my skin tone is lighter. I had a pesky brown spot on both sides of my face near my temples and within 1 treatment, they disappeared. Ive managed to keep them from returning by using the entire glo line and its cellular regenerating compounds; so my treatments are more maintenance and for skin integrity than spot removal. Laser treatments help boost collagen and elasticity with regular use, however not all skin types can handle them.
Prescription Meds
From Retin-A to chemical peels to hydrogen peroxide, there are plenty of meds that can help fade those sun spots.These meds can be harsh and create redness, irritation, peeling and photo sensitivity (your skin burns easily in the sun). Most of these require a prescription or a visit to your dermatologist's office. Make sure to disclose any other skin or medical conditions you have so your doc can create a custom plan for you. Not all medications work for all skin types or tones though, so keep that in mind. Hydroquinone is a commonly used lightening med for melasma, but it can be a bit tricky for darker skin tones, as it can lighten normal pigmentation and leave a blotchy effect. On melasma, I highly recommend getting your hormones tested annually touring them into balance as high progesterone numbers often contribute to melasma (think pregnancy mask).
CRYOTHERAPY
This one's all about freezing those hyperpigmented skin cells with liquid nitrogen. After the treatment, the cells scab and slough off in about a week or two. The sun spot may end up a bit lighter once it heals, but be aware that this treatment can occasionally cause scarring.
DERMABRASION
Basically, this is like sanding down your face. It can help with sun spots, and if you go for microdermabrasion, it's a bit gentler. Just be cautious if you have sensitive skin or any concerns about rosacea, as it can potentially worsen those conditions. This treatment can also damage your skin barrier.
Ultimately though, you might decide to embrace your sun spots and rock them as part of your unique beauty. That could be the best option ever! Regardless of what you choose, approach the whole process with kindness and self-compassion because your beauty goes way beyond those sun spots. Oh, and don't forget to slather on that sunscreen!