How to Treat Sun Spots

Sun spots are the small round unsightly marks that appear on your skin as a result of prolonged unprotected exposure to sunlight. Also called age spots and liver spots, they generally appear on your face, shoulders, back and hands. Fortunately, there are treatments available that help to diminish and eliminate the appearance of sun spots.

What are Sun Spots

Sun spots are small pigmented marks that appear on the skin as a result of long-term sun exposure. It is very common in adults but can also appear on younger skin because of unprotected sun exposure and premature aging. It is particularly common with people who tend to spend large amounts of time outdoors in the sunlight. Whether you like to lounge around the pool, play a lot of outdoor sports or even drive in the sun, you are susceptible to develop sun spots with time.

Occurrence of Sun Spots

When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it defends itself by generating more melanocytes that subsequently produce melanin (a substance responsible for the color of the skin). Too much of melanin causes sun spots to appear on the face, neck, shoulders and back.

Sun Spots Treatment: Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is powerful skin lightening ingredient that helps to treat and eliminate the appearance of sun spots. It restricts the functioning of the enzyme tyrosinase that is responsible for the synthesis of melanin. There are several skin care products available in the market that contain various concentrations of Hydroquinone that help to correct many skin conditions.

Hydroquinone based skin care products are a better and cheaper alternative than complex skin treatments like lasers and chemical peels. Even the side effects are minimal like mild itching and temporary skin redness.

Tips to Use Hydroquinone Based Skin Care Products

Avoid using any other medicated topical treatments especially those which contain peroxide while using skin care products containing Hydroquinone.

After applying skin lighteners containing Hydroquinone, wait for several minutes before you apply any make-up, cosmetics moisturizer or sunscreen.

Hydroquinone is very unstable. Hence it gets oxidized when exposed to air or sunlight. Therefore, make sure you store the products in a cool dark place away from sunlight.

While using Hydroquinone based skin care products, try to avoid excessive sun exposure. Always wear a sunscreen, always!

Sun Spots Treatment: Kojic Acid

Apart from Hydroquinone, there are other skin lightening creams and products that contain a variety of ingredients like Kojic Acid. Kojic acid is derived from fungus Aspergillus oryzae

Just like Hydroquinone, Kojic acid also inhibits the melanin production within the skin surface and fades away sun spots and dark pigments.