Sun spots, also known as age spots or liver spots, are dark, discolored areas of skin that typically appear on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, hands, arms, and shoulders. They are caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds. There are several modern treatment options for sun spots, including:
Topical creams: Topical creams containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, or azelaic acid can help to lighten the appearance of sunspots.
Chemical peels: chemical peels use a solution to remove the top layer of skin, revealing newer, smoother skin underneath.
Cryotherapy: cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and remove sun spots.
Laser therapy: lasers such as q-switched laser, pulsed dye laser, and fractional laser can help to target and remove sun spots.
Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion uses a machine to remove the outer layer of skin, revealing newer, smoother skin underneath.
Light-based therapy: light-based therapies such as intense pulsed light (ipl) or broadband light (bbl) can help to target and remove sun spots.