Sunspots are caused by prolonged and direct exposure to ultraviolet sunlight and appear on the surface of the skin making it brown. They can appear at any age and generally pose no health risk. In general, they occur more frequently in people with fair complexions, but not only. Although they are not dangerous, many methods have been devised to eliminate them. Options include over-the-counter creams, natural remedies, and medical procedures that promise to remove them permanently.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using an Over-the-Counter Drug
Step 1. Reduce the visibility of sun spots with a retinol cream
Wait 20 minutes after washing your face, then squeeze a pea-sized amount of cream onto your finger. Spread the cream on the sun spots that have appeared on your face, neck, arms and hands. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is effective in progressively lightening sun spots. Reapply the cream once a day until the skin is visibly lighter.
You can buy retinol cream in all pharmacies and parapharmacies. If you find that over-the-counter creams are not effective enough for you, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a product with a higher concentration of retinol
Step 2. Purchase a hydroquinone-based galenic preparation at the pharmacy
Hydroquinone is also effective for lightening sun spots. Generally, hydroquinone creams should be applied with a pair of latex gloves on. Squeeze a small amount directly onto the stain, then smear the cream onto the skin with your gloved finger. Use the galenic preparation every day, as directed by the pharmacist, until the skin is visibly clearer.
- Hydroquinone acts slowly and progressively. You will need to apply the cream regularly for several weeks to get visible results.
- If you feel pain or burning after applying the hydroquinone-based galenic preparation, rinse your face immediately and stop using the cream.
Step 3. Reduce the appearance of dark spots with a kojic acid-based cream to apply in the evening before going to sleep
There are numerous over-the-counter products that contain this acid that is derived from the fermentation of rice and has been shown to be effective in lightening skin blemishes. Apply the cream 30 minutes before bedtime. Use a pea-sized amount for each spot on your face, arms and hands and rub it into your skin. Kojic acid works slowly and progressively, so you'll need to apply the cream regularly for several weeks before you see visible results.
- Kojic acid is contained in many cosmetic creams and lotions, albeit in a rather low concentration (generally between 1 and 4%). Ask for advice at the pharmacy or perfumery to buy the most suitable product for your needs.
- If you have sensitive skin, cosmetics that contain kojic acid may irritate it. If it becomes red or inflamed, stop using that product right away.
Method 2 of 4: Contact your doctor
Step 1. See a dermatologist if over-the-counter creams don't work
Stubborn sunspots are hard to get rid of, and over-the-counter medications are sometimes not strong enough. If you want to remove them or reduce their visibility for aesthetic reasons, make an appointment with a dermatologist to have them inspected. Describe when they appeared and what kind of treatments you have used up to that point to try to eliminate them.
Consult your general practitioner first for advice from a good dermatologist and obtain the necessary prescription to book the specialist visit
Step 2. Eliminate the spots with "laser resurfacing"
It is a treatment that the doctor can also perform in the clinic. Damaged skin is removed layer by layer using a laser beam. This is an expensive procedure, as it is generally not covered by the health insurance, but it is very effective in removing sun spots and many other skin defects. The recovery time can reach three weeks.
- Before starting treatment, your doctor may apply anesthetic cream to the area to be treated or give you a mild sedative; nevertheless, the operation does not require hospitalization.
- Your doctor will want to know your medical history in detail and will ask you if you have taken any particular medications in the past. This information will help him understand if it is actually sunspots or if the skin may have been damaged for other reasons.
Step 3. Remove stains with a chemical peel
Your doctor will need to confirm that this is a suitable solution for you. If so, it will apply an acid with an extremely delicate exfoliating action to the spots. The more superficial layers of skin, generally the damaged ones, will be eliminated; giving way to fresher and firmer skin. Treatment can be done in an outpatient or hospital setting.
The skin may remain red for several days. There may also be some slight pain that you can relieve by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or using a cold compress, as directed by your doctor
Step 4. Get rid of the spots with cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a localized treatment suitable for those who want to exfoliate only a limited area of the face. If sun spots are the only blemish to remove, this may be the solution for you. Nitrous oxide is generally used to freeze stains. After the surgery, scabs will form and will fall off within a week or so, giving way to clear, renewed skin.
Unlike chemical peels, cryotherapy is generally painless. Unless your doctor has to aggressively treat the spots with liquid nitrogen, the procedure will only take a few minutes and you will not have to follow any checks
Step 5. Try microdermabrasion if other treatments have not been successful
This is a rather aggressive intervention, so it needs a careful preventive visit. During the treatment, the doctor will remove the most superficial layers of skin using a special tool. The damaged skin will be eliminated and will give way to the new and toned one underneath. Microdermabrasion can be done on an outpatient basis.
Luckily for you, microdermabrasion is not a painful treatment and lasts about 60 minutes. At the end of the session, you may feel the skin tighten and feel that it is very dry. If your symptoms are bothersome, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Method 3 of 4: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Apply aloe vera gel twice a day to sun damaged skin
Aloe vera is known for its healing properties on the skin and is a great natural remedy for getting rid of sun spots. Apply a generous amount of aloe vera cream or gel to the face, arms and other parts of the body where the skin has been damaged by the sun. Repeat the application twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. You can make aloe vera gel directly from the plant by carving a leaf and squeezing it gently.
- Alternatively, you can buy aloe vera gel from health food stores, drugstores and well-stocked supermarkets. Make sure it's 100% pure.
- If you'd rather buy an aloe vera plant, go to a store that sells gardening supplies.
Step 2. Take vitamin E capsules twice a day to reduce the visibility of the spots
Vitamin E has been shown to be effective in lightening dark spots caused by the sun. Take one vitamin E capsule in the morning and one in the evening to make them progressively less visible. Alternatively, you can increase your intake of vitamin E by eating foods that are rich in vitamin E, such as citrus fruits, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, and papaya.
- Vitamin E capsules can be opened to massage the contents directly onto the spots. Apply the gel to sun-damaged skin before bed and let the vitamin E work overnight.
- Vitamin E is also available in chewable tablets or drops.
Step 3. Slice a lemon and apply it directly to the spots
Cut a lemon into quarters and keep it on the skin for 10-15 minutes a day. The acids contained in lemon work by lightening the skin slowly and progressively, so you will have to repeat the application every day for about two months before getting visible results.
- After cutting the lemon into four parts, use a wedge and keep the remaining ones for the following days. Put them in a food bag and store them in the refrigerator.
- Used every day, lemon also has a light exfoliating action. You can use it to remove dead skin cells from your face, arms and shoulders.
Step 4. Slice an onion and rub it on the sun spots
Cut a large red onion into 6-8 pieces using a sharp knife. Rub the onion pieces on the spots caused by ultraviolet rays for about thirty seconds. The acids contained in the onion help to reduce the visibility of dark spots. Since they act slowly and progressively, you will have to repeat the application every day for several months before getting any noticeable results.
The ability of red onion to lighten the skin and reduce the visibility of sun spots has been proven by the results of a scientific study. If the idea of rubbing an onion on your face makes you turn up your nose, you can buy a cosmetic cream that contains it in powder
Method 4 of 4: Prevention
Step 1. Shelter from direct sunlight between 10:00 and 15:00
During the central hours of the day, the sun's rays are more powerful and direct. You will be exposed to a very high amount of ultraviolet rays if you stay outdoors during those hours, running the risk of existing spots darkening and new ones forming at the same time. The best thing to do is to postpone your commitments and outdoor sports activities after three in the afternoon or bring them up early in the morning before ten.
If you are struggling with sun spots, never use a suntan cream. Beyond the aesthetic reasons (the spots may darken), tanning creams put the overall health of the skin at risk
Step 2. Use a protective sunscreen outdoors
The SPF must not be less than 15. The main cause of dark spots is exposure to the sun. To protect your skin from further damage, whenever you intend to stay outdoors for more than 15 minutes, apply a protective sunscreen with a high SPF where the body is directly exposed to the rays (e.g. face, neck, hands and arms). In addition to preventing new spots from forming, using adequate sunscreen will not risk those present from darkening further.
If your skin has been damaged by the sun, using sunscreen will support its natural healing process, as well as prevent further damage
Step 3. Protect yourself with a hat and long dresses when you go out in the sun
Even if you have applied sunscreen, it is best to protect your skin by wearing long clothing that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays. Choose light-colored, tightly woven fabrics that reflect the sun's rays. Keeping the skin sheltered will favor the progressive lightening of existing spots and prevent new ones from forming.
A sun umbrella can also be useful to protect you from harmful rays
Advice
- Check with your doctor to find out what medications may have contributed to the spots. Many medicines, for example antibiotics and the contraceptive pill, can cause hyperpigmentation of the skin.
- If you are in the habit of using foundation or tinted cream, choose products with SPF. In addition to minimizing imperfections and smoothing the complexion, you will protect the skin from ultraviolet rays which can give rise to further imperfections.
- If you want to use lemon juice to reduce the visibility of skin spots, remember to wash your face before you leave the house and expose yourself to the sun. Left on the skin, lemon juice makes the skin hypersensitive to the sun's rays, so the blemish situation may worsen rather than improve.
