Treatment of Sunspots

Sunspots are dark portions of the skin that develop after long exposure to the sun. While sunspots are not dangerous, they can be unsightly on the face because of the severe contrast that they can have with the rest of the facial skin. People of all ages are susceptible to acquiring sunspots, but those with lighter skin are more likely to develop them due to the lack of pigment in the skin. A dermatologist is your best solution if you are self conscious about the appearance of sunspots.

The first thing that any dermatologist will recommend for those who are sensitive to sunspots is to limit sun exposure. The sun’s UV rays can cause damage to any type of skin, and by limiting the time spent out in the sun you can protect your skin from sunspots. There are treatments available from the dermatologist to help fade and remove sunspots from the face. Laser resurfacing is used to remove several layers of damaged skin so new, healthier skin can replace the damaged skin. Chemical peels use a combination of different acids that are applied to the face to removed damaged skin. Both laser resurfacing and chemical peels are effective, but they can take a few weeks to recover from. Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses liquid nitrogen that is applied just to the sunspots. These areas will scab over, and after about a week the scabs will fall off leaving the skin clear.

There are at home remedies that some people swear by, but they have not proven effective for everyone at removing sunspots. If you have sunspots on your face that you are upset by, make an appointment with your dermatologist and see which professional treatment is best for removing or fading your sunspots.

Posted on behalf of Medical Dermatology Specialists

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