Can Sun Damage Cause Age Spots? How To Reverse Them

Spending hours in the sunshine and feeling the natural heat may feel good, but spending too much time near the sun can take a toll on your skin. Sunlight affects your skin because the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) light that damages your skin and can lead to sunburn. Over time, these rays often lead to wrinkles, dark spots, and other problems. Due to sun rays, you can add more years to your look. As per research, UV exposure can be the reason behind 80% of your skin's ageing.

However, you do not need to get disheartened as there is a way you can turn back the clock and reverse the problem caused by the sun. Though it is impossible to let go of the damage caused by the sun, there are ways to reduce it. To give you a detailed analysis, we have been in conversation with Dr. Rohit Batra at DermaWorld Skin & Hair Clinics In Delhi. Due to his proven success record of successful treatments, he is renowned as the best skin specialist in India. So, let's start!

What Do You Understand By Age Spots?

Age spots are those marks that commonly appear on your skin after prolonged exposure to the sun. They are generally harmless but can affect your appearance, so most people wish to remove them. These marks are usually flat and darker than the surrounding skin. They can be tan, brown, or black and may resemble freckles.

Causes of Age Spots

• Age spots are the result of your body producing excess melanin (a pigment that gives your skin its color)

• The more melanin produced, the darker your skin will become 

• When your skin gets exposed to sunlight, your body will produce extra melanin to protect the skin from UV rays 

• Age spots look more on your skin when melanin in the skin becomes clumped together 

Symptoms 

Age spots usually appear in the areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun; these areas are: 

• Face 

• Back

• Shoulders

• Back 

• Arms 

• Tops of the feet

You can get age spots singly or in clusters. They may also vary in size and can range from 0.2-2.0 centimetres in diameter.

Age spots usually form in people aged 40 and over, though they can also develop in younger people who primarily use tanning beds or get sunburns. Moreover, they are common in people with lighter skin, which is more sensitive to the sun.

Diagnosis 

A dermatologist will diagnose age spots with a visual examination. They may use the help of a dermatoscope (a hand-held magnifying tool that medical professionals use to examine the skin area).

This will involve taking a small sample of the affected skin and sending it to the laboratory for further examination to determine the type of growth.

Are There Any Home Remedies For Age-Spots?

Natural remedies may also help to lighten age spots, and they include: 

• Red Onion: Dried onion can help lighten age spots. You can look for topical creams containing Allium Cepa.

• Orchid Extract: Orchid extracts may also reduce age spots. Even the extracts are ingredients in some skin care products. 

• Aloe Vera: As per the latest study, applying aloe vera can help to lighten the marks when you use them regularly.

Medications 

You may treat your age spots with topical medicated creams. However, to get these creams from a medical store, you will need a prescription from your doctor. They usually prescribe:

• Mild Steriods

• Hydroquinone (a bleaching cream)

• Retinoids, such as tretinoin (an acne cream)  

Opt for over-the-counter topical fade creams with glycolic acid and kojic acid. These homemade remedies and medications may show results after several months of constant usage, but they do not guarantee success. So, in these cases, you can go for medical treatments.

Laser-Toning Treatment 

The laser-toning method removes unwanted age spots, sun spots, and brown spots from the skin. This treatment is generally not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with herpes or cold sores. During the laser-toning procedure, dark pigments causing sunspots are targeted and broken down with a laser energy pulse that operates in intervals of billions of seconds. Subsequently, the dark pigments are naturally absorbed and eliminated by the body's immune system. The energy released during the laser treatment may feel like numerous minor, hot dots on the skin. To alleviate discomfort, a cold air system is directed at the sunspots.

What Prevention Steps You Should Take For Age Spots?

• Use SPF daily to prevent age spots from getting darker 

• Reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours or after sweating, or being in the water

• Wearing when cycling or gardening if going outside 

• Protecting yourself from sunscreen 

• Covering your skin with hats, sunglasses, long sleeves, and long trousers 

• Refrain from using tanning beds 

Conclusion  

Age spots are completely harmless, but they can affect your appearance. Moreover, they are hard to differentiate from skin cancer, which is why it is essential to consult a skin care specialist and plan your treatment to recover from age spots caused by sun damage.

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Created on Feb 27th 2024 03:12. Viewed 93 times.

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