Dark sunspots cause unsightly blemishes on the face. Similar to many conditions that affect the appearance of the skin, these spots can make you feel unattractive or insecure.
Fortunately, you don’t need to live with unsightly discolored skin on the face. Many excellent treatments effectively even the skin tone and remove sunspots. But what are the treatment options? Do they work for everyone?
It’s normal to have questions about sunspots which is why we’ll answer your most pressing questions in this article. Our goal is to ensure you’re well informed and equipped to best care for your skin and get the glowing, even skin tone you desire.
Related: Spring Skin Care 101
What Are Sunspots?
Sunspots are flat brown painless spots that appear on the skin after increased exposure to the sun and UV rays. Although anyone can get sunspots, they mainly affect women with lighter complexions after forty. You may know sunspots as liver or aging spots.
When the melanocytes (color-enhancing cells) receive too much sunlight, they can produce too much color unevenly. UV rays trigger a hyperpigmentation response below the skin, leaving discoloration and blotchy patches. Unfortunately, these spots are rarely uniform and affect everyone differently.
While these spots are benign, they can cause some distress to those who live with sunspots. As opposed to commonly held beliefs, you do not have to live with sunspots. You don’t have to find new ways to cover them or get an even skin tone again.
Are you unsure of what’s going on with your skin? We have a guide to help!
How to Remove Sunspots on Your Face
Many treatment options are available for those suffering from sunspots on the face. Sunspots affect the outermost layer of the skin or the base of the epidermis. Most treatment options will lighten or remove the spots. However, treatments that do not penetrate the topmost layer of the skin will not work.
Here are some treatment options to consider for removing these sunspots.
Natural Treatments
Vitamins, plant-based products, and over-the-counter medicines are all commonly-used at-home remedies for sunspots. Although some of these methods won’t remove sunspots entirely, they can serve to lighten them.
- Aloe Vera - The Aloe Vera plant helps many skin conditions, including sunspots. Applied topically, the aloesin and aloin that occur naturally in the plant can reverse hyperpigmentation like sunspots.
- Vitamin C - Among its many health benefits, Vitamin C can lighten dark spots. This vitamin's natural antioxidants promote collagen production and protect the skin from harmful sunlight.
- Vitamin E - Combined with Vitamin C, Vitamin E promotes healthier, more radiant skin. Consuming a Vitamin E supplement with your daily vitamin routine can minimize the appearance of spots on the face.
- Licorice Extract - Often found in over-the-counter creams, Licorice extract has many uses, including evening the skin tone.
- Honey - Honey is another antioxidant like Vitamin C. Honey promotes skin cell growth which may remove discoloration.
- Lemon Juice - The natural acids in lemon juice can make the skin tone more even and lighten the appearance of blots and patches.
While many home remedies are convenient, they may only remove sunspots partially. You may need to supplement your daily skincare routine with more potent formulas. Fortunately, there are other, more effective options.
Related: Which Skin Care Problem Would You Like to Fix or Improve? Anti-Aging
Serums and Chemical Peels
Like natural remedies, many serums and chemical peels are available for consumers to use at home. But rather than relying on natural vitamins to tackle the skin’s more complex problems, these products are specially formulated by experts to be more effective and easier to use.
Serums and chemical peels are often more effective than natural remedies because they contain proven chemical compounds that remove the damaged outer layer of the epidermis, revealing a uniform, even skin tone.
Experts formulate these products to target specific conditions. They are minimally invasive and work well for most people. Of course, those with sensitive skin may experience adverse reactions so reading the instructions is vital.
Getting Help from Professionals
Perhaps you’ve tried at-home remedies, or you thought there was no hope for getting your brilliant, even skin tone back. Professionals understand your needs and how to remove sunspots entirely. Here are some options to consider when seeking an expert for help:
- Cryotherapy
- Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
- Microneedling
- Microdermabrasion & Dermabrasion
While many of these treatments are highly effective, they’re also much more invasive and costly than at-home remedies, serums, and chemical peels. If you’ve tried more natural methods or serums and chemical peels, yet you’re still unhappy with your appearance, consider speaking with a professional for more support.
Have you discovered how peels can bring your skin back to life? You can read more about them here!
Sun Spot Prevention
Removing sunspots is possible with the right products. But how can you prevent these spots from appearing in the first place? The skin, tasked with protecting your most vital organs and tissue, is a sensitive organ. Exposure to harsh lights, environmental pollution, and toxins can lead to problems like sunspots, melasma, and even more severe medical conditions.
But a great daily skincare routine prevents sunspots altogether. You can use moisturizers, chemical peels, and serums every day. You can also combine products that work well for more substantial results.
Sunscreen is effective for keeping your skin glowing and healthy. But it also minimizes discoloration because the harsh UV rays can’t encourage the cells to produce more pigment.
Aside from sunscreen, exfoliating and moisturizing, `caring for your skin is essential too.
Related: Hyaluronic Acid, the “Fountain of Youth”
Goodbye Sunspots
Hiding your sunspots with expensive cosmetics is time-consuming, tedious, and unnecessary. You can tackle the condition at the source and defeat the discoloration caused by years of sun damage.
Sunspots are a common problem, especially for those who don't adequately protect their skin from harmful UV Rays. Adding specially-formulated products to your skin routine is typically enough to make the spots fade.
Sunspots, unlike other conditions resulting from over-exposure to sunlight, are benign. Preventing sunspots from appearing is easy. When you find the right solution, use sunscreen and stay hydrated.