How to Get Rid of Sunspots on Your Face

Have you been noticing freckles-like spots on your face recently? If so, then these are sunspots, or solar lentigines, a type of hyperpigmentation that manifests on areas exposed to the sun. You may notice these in clusters or singular spots along the shoulders, face, hands, etc.

Since sunspots are noncancerous, the issue isn’t a medical one. However, the desire for even skin tone can have individuals wondering, "How to get rid of sunspots on the face?" Let's explore the ways to do so in the article below.

Keynotes:

• Chronic UV radiation is one of the primary causes of sunspots, alongside genetics, age and air pollution.
• Mild cases can benefit from skincare products with topical actives, whereas persistent pigmentation may require laser therapy or cryotherapy.
• Effective skin care sunspot treatments include targeted serum, soothing moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30.
• Preventative methods, such as reapplication of sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, can help manage sunspots.

Sunspots are benign pigmentation on the surface of the skin, indicated by small spots or a single large lesion. These are flat in texture and should not be confused with precancerous skin growth known as actinic keratoses.

The condition is also commonly called by several names, such as solar lentigines, age spots and liver spots. While it does manifest on the skin with growing age, it does not have a correlation with liver function as such.

Upon chronic sun exposure and age, these may spread on the surface of the skin in hues from tan to dark brown. While sunspots do not typically need treatments, they can be dealt with as a cosmetic concern and be lightened and removed professionally.

Read more: Melasma vs. Sun Spots: Understand the Difference between the Two.

UV Radiation

With sun in its name, it is easy to hypothesize that this concern is caused predominantly by UV exposure on the skin. Although it is a primary cause, the way the body reacts to UV radiation and manifests as melanin deposits onto the skin is still being actively studied.

A school of thought argues that with growing age the cells at the deeper layers multiply faster than the basal ones. Thus, when exposed to inflammation such as UV exposure, the irregularity between the two layers results in pigmentation, creating patches of freckles or sunspots.

Air Pollutants

Yes, pollutants in the air can also be a significant reason for age spots. Certain gases containing particles, such as the PAH (polyaromatic hydrocarbons), team up with UV radiation to penetrate your skin. This can create an imbalance, triggering a surge of melanin production even when you are away from direct sunlight.

Aging

It is easy to confuse age spots with ephelides (freckles) that children develop along their noses, arms and backs. Both have similar epidemiology, but age spots are commonly seen in adults. They can appear as early as when individuals are in their 30s or 40s and grow from there on.

There is no one-stop solution to address how to remove sunspots naturally and quickly. That said, there are a few remedies that can help you boost the health of your skin and promote radiance. Those are:

Green Tea Extract

Green tea is high in antioxidants, flavanols, and polyphenols known for their positive effects against UV-induced skin damage. Antioxidants in green tea can help to reduce oxidative stress in the skin as well as improve cell structure. Thereby potentially preventing premature aging.

Try dipping a clean cotton ball in cool green tea and applying it to your face gently. This can depuff and reduce inflammation.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is often used in skincare for its soothing benefits. The clear gel contains 90% water as well as several essential nutrients. These include vitamins E, C, A, and B12, along with enzymes, minerals, sugars, and salicylic acid. Applying cool aloe vera to the skin can help heal, moisturize and reduce inflammation.

The answer to the question of how to get rid of sunspots on the face at home is a threefold process. Let’s explore this in detail:

Step 1: Target with Anti-Pigment Dual Serum

Hyperpigmentation, such as sun spots, is routinely treated with topical agents, like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C and Thiamidol. Such active agents are found in most melanin-targeting skin products on the market.

Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum is one such product that tackles sun-induced dark spots, hyperpigmentation and prevents the resurgence of the same. Its ingredient list is extensive, including revolutionary Thiamidol for targeting melanin production, Hyaluronic acid for hydration, and Licochalcone A to soothe inflamed skin.

It is revered as the best treatment for sunspots on the face. Moreover, 95% of individuals have also experienced a rejuvenating improvement in skin tone, texture and radiance with consistent use of the serum.

Step 2: Moisturize with Anti-Pigment Day Care SPF30

Next, after cleansing and treating the skin, moisturize it with a hydrating cream. This helps in preventing dryness, which can exasperate inflammation and irritation (common precursors of hyperpigmentation).

Soothe your skin with Anti-Pigment Day Care SPF30. This combination boosts the performance of the Thiamidol, allowing for reduction in sun-induced dark spots and protection against further bouts of hyperpigmentation.

The non-greasy formula glides over the skin to give you visible results of dark spot reduction in two weeks* of use. It also suits all skin types.

Step 3: Protect with Sun Face Oil Control Gel-Cream SPF50+

Lastly, finish your skin care routine with a high-performance Sun Face Oil Control Gel-Cream SPF50+ sunscreen. It is a non-comodogenic sunscreen with a light texture that feels non-greasy on the skin. This helps you in effortlessly reapplying the sunscreen after a few hours while out in the sun.

Along with comprehensive UVA and UVB filters, the sunscreen also features actives that protect against UV-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress while leaving a matte finish. This makes the sunscreen perfect for Indian climates.

Topical solutions, like the ones mentioned above, are the first line of treatment for sunspots. For individuals experiencing a persistent case of the condition, these are some types of professional sunspot treatments administered for best results:

Laser, Cryotherapy, and Chemical Peels

• Laser therapy : Laser therapy is issued to target pigmented spots on the skin with thermal pulses, melting the pigmentation away. It is recommended as one of the best treatments for sunspots on the face due to its favorable results for skin types III and IV on the Fitzpatrick scale (a system used to categorize skin types based on their reactions to sun exposure).

• Common laser therapies that may be issued are pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy, intense pulsed light (IPL), or Q‐Switched (QS) laser, either by itself or in combination with topical actives.

• Cryotherapy : Cryotherapy is a professional treatment presented for sunspots as well as skin tags. It focuses on freezing a particular set of pigmented skin tissues with either cold air or liquid nitrogen to surgically remove the sunspots.

• Chemical peeling : Chemical peeling is a process that follows concentrated solutions of exfoliants like trichloroacetic acid (TCA) applied to the pigmented region. Individuals may expect results such as an improved cell turnover, collagen synthesis and refreshed skin after healing.

While professional treatments will help address how to get rid of sunspots, here are a few ways that you can prevent any resurgence:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or above before heading out in the sun.
• Try your best to avoid being outdoors during peak UV index.
• Reapply sunscreen often (two hours or less) if extended outdoor activity or sweating is involved.
• Make sure to wear coverings such as a cap, hand covering or visor to protect your skin from the direct heat of the sun.

With age, sunspots can be a reminder of your extended time out in the sun. While it is completely harmless, just as with any cosmetic concern, it is always best to know how to get rid of sunspots on the face.

The above prevention tips and skincare products by Eucerin can help in targeting pigmentation and boost skin health. That said, in severe cases one should consult a board-certified dermatologist for personalized treatments for sunspots.

1. What causes sunspots on the face?

   The primary cause of sunspots, or solar lentigines, is the chronic UV radiation exposure. Growing age and air pollutants may also exacerbate the symptoms, causing the condition to worsen. Some people also tend to have a genetic predisposition to sunspots. Hence, they may require professional treatment for a targeted approach.

2. How can I treat sunspots at home?

   Certain at-home treatments for sunspots address inflammation in the UV-exposed skin with green tea extracts or aloe vera. These can potentially help soothe the area and moisturize it to build skin health. Lastly, always make sure to apply sunscreen before heading outdoors.

3. Are sunspots permanent?

   If left untreated, chronic sun exposure and lack of sunscreen use can make sunspots pretty persistent. While some freckle-like spots can lighten over time, large brown spots in a cluster may turn darker with consistent UV exposure.

4. Can sunscreen help fade sunspots?

   Yes, it does help. Sunscreen is one of the most instrumental tools for individuals wondering how to prevent sunspots. It works alongside your professional treatments or topical solutions to prevent the new sunspots from forming and the existing ones from darkening.

• pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Molecular and histological characterization of age spots
• Pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Sun-induced freckling: ephelides and solar lentigines
• Pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Exposure to fine particulate matter associated with senile lentigo in Chinese women
• pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Successful treatment of solar lentigines
• Pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW
• Pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Protective Mechanisms of Green Tea Polyphenols in Skin
• Pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Treatment of Solar Lentigines
• Pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - A 15% Trichloroacetic Acid + 3% Glycolic Acid Chemical Peel Series Improves Appearance of Hand Lentigines
• Onlinelibrary.wiley - Environment-induced lentigines: formation of solar lentigines beyond ultraviolet radiation