How to Remove Age Spots Naturally

​Another birthday, another year around the sun — you are older, wiser, and grateful. But not all aspects of aging are quite so enjoyable: each time you look in the mirror, you may notice more and more evidence of your years. One of the most noticeable signs of the aging process is facial age spots.

Also called liver spots, dark spots, senile lentigo, melasma, or sun spots on skin, these blemishes are mostly seen on the face, hands, arms, shoulders, and upper back.

While facial age spots are usually associated with getting older, the main culprit (as you might have guessed) is sun damage. When skin is overexposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, the body produces more of the naturally occurring pigment, melanin, to protect itself. That melanin clumps together, leading to flat brown, black, or gray spots.

That means especially for those of us in San Diego, our carefree youth spent soaking up the California sunshine has come back to haunt us.

While age spots are harmless, their appearance can be distressing. Fortunately, there are plenty of tricks for how to remove age spots naturally and get back to looking and feeling your best.

Protect Your Skin

​I wouldn’t be doing my job as a holistic skincare specialist if I didn’t start by saying that the best offense is a good defense. Products and treatments can only go so far in removing age spots on the face if you’re not also working to prevent new facial age spots from occurring.

Avoid the sun, especially at times when it’s most intense (usually from 10am-2pm). Use a good, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF before you go outside, and reapply often. Cover up with gloves, a hat, or other clothing — especially in areas where you already have sun spots on your skin. The best way to remove age spots naturally is to be proactive first.

At Home Remedies

If you’re looking to treat melasma naturally or address other facial age spots at home, you may have seen that certain ingredients in your kitchen like lemon juice, oatmeal, or honey can help. While these things aren’t going to hurt your skin, they probably won’t do much to remove age spots on the face. Because the pigment is located at the base of the epidermis — the topmost layer of skin — any treatments meant remove sun spots on the skin must penetrate this layer. So, if you really want to remove age spots naturally, you may need to look beyond the kitchen cupboard.

Topical Options

You can attempt to treat facial age spots at home using over-the-counter (OTC) topical creams and lotions. There are a plethora of products that may help lighten the skin and cause the age spots to fade gradually. However, these products contain chemicals that range from hydroquinone to niacinamide to kojic acid to retinol… and it can be challenging to know which cream is actually safe and effective.

Before purchasing any skin lighteners, it is important to note that some ingredients may cause side effects. For example, products that contain hydroquinone may cause skin irritation. 

At the very least, first test the cream or lotion on a small part of the skin before applying it to a large area. Better yet, work with a skincare professional before trying anything to determine how to remove age spots naturally given your unique skin type

Facials for Dark Spots

​When it comes to sun spots on the skin, people don’t always think of a spa treatment first — but anti-aging facials are a great way to accelerate the removal of age spots on the face.

During your first consultation, your esthetician will examine the treatment area and make a recommendation about the best treatments for your specific needs. Depending on the number of facial age spots and the degree of pigmentation, there are many different facials for dark spots available. The most important factor here is duration and consistency of care.

Microdermabrasion for Dark Spots

​One common procedure for the removal of age spots on the face is microdermabrasion — which works by exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate cell turnover. However, its methods are a little aggressive: It “sands” your face by spraying aluminum oxide or sodium bicarbonate crystals. As a result, it has a high risk of irritation and inflammation, which is why I don’t recommend microdermabrasion for dark spots.

Dermasound Facial for Dark Spots

Instead, at Simply Skin I recommend the Dermasound Elite Anti-Aging Facial, which uses no abrasive brushes or sanding crystals and still penetrates deep into tissue to treat sun spots on skin at their roots. Believe it or not, the only tools used to exfoliate your face are water and sound — making it one of the best facials for dark spots and the most effective way to remove age spots naturally.

My Anti-Aging Promise

I’ve dedicated my life to helping my fellow San Diegans navigate the world of proper skin wellness, to get the treatment they need and the results they want. My commitment to you is that I will help you restore your youthful complexion in 3-6 months, by using the most effective anti-aging facial treatments in the industry. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION