Age Spots, Melasma, Lentigos – How to give them the fade!

Brown spots show up on our skin when the skin is trying to protect itself from the sun. The sun’s rays increase the production of melanin, the substance that gives you skin its pigment, and when too much melanin accumulates in one area, spots are formed. Getting rid of brown spots or at least improving their appearance can be simple and painless.

The main options for treating spots are:

• over-the-counter topical agents
• prescription topical agents
• professional peeling treatments
• freezing treatments by a dermatologist
• laser treatments by a qualified physisian

One additional point bears emphasis: Using a strong sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure when possible are essential to a successful treatment and after treatment so the spots don’t re-appear.

Over-the-counter products that can be used to erase brown spots on skin are:

Bleaching (depigmenting) products which include-

• Hydroquinone (use only on fair to light skin tones – possibly irritating)
• Kojic Acid (an alternative for darker skin tones)
• Azelaic Acid
• Arbutin
• Ellagic Acid

Retinoids (Retinoic Acid)

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acids

Bleaching products work by inhibiting the production of the enzyme tyrosinase, which in turn reduces melanin. Bleaching products will fade brown spots over a period of 8 to 12 weeks.  

Retinoids, Vitamin C, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids can very slowly fade brown spots on their own. However, they are best used in conjunction with bleaching products since they will boost the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Here is an at home skin care system
for erasing brown spots from skin.

1) Choose a bleaching product based on your skin's sensitivity and coloring.

• fair to light/medium skin can use hydroquinone
• medium/ darker skin should use kojic acid, arbutin, azeliac acid, ellegic acid
• sensitive skin should use hydroquinone with caution - test skin first

2) If you wish, you may speed up results by adding an AHA or BHA to your regime. This will help exfoliate the pigmented skin cells fading the spot quicker. The hydroxy acids also help the active ingredients penetrate into the skin better.

3) Adding Vitamin C and a retinoid product will also hasten your results, but all these products used together may cause skin irritation. Consider starting with a bleaching product for a week, then start to add in the other products week by week. This will allow your skin to adjust to the new products.

4) Apply products in this order:

• Vitamin C serum (apply morning and night)
• Bleaching Product (apply morning and night - make sure to cover the area completely)
• AHA or BHA (apply morning only)
• Retinoid (apply night only)
• Sunscreen (apply morning and as needed)

If you are not using all these products, just leave out what you are not using and apply the rest in the order shown.

You may also look for products with combinations of bleachers and AHA's or retinoids. This can save time and money.

Always use adequate sun protection when using any of these ingredients. Your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun. In addition, hydroquinone will be rendered useless if you do not use sunscreen.

Here are some products we like for getting rid of brown spots:

Click on a product name to see more information.

 

Obagi Sun Fader - 4% hydroquinone with sunscreen for day use

DCL AHA Lightening Gel - 2% hydroquinone & gylcolic acid for exfoliation

Great Skin 8% skin Lightening Gel - Contains new micronized ingredients: kojic acid and kojic dipalmitate. Also contains 2% hydroquinone, licorice extract and L-ascorbic acid.

Rhonda Allison Naturale -good for people who can not use hydroquinone -contains kojic acid, licorice root, glycolic & Azelaic Acid in an emulsified base.

TYK Law of Beauty White Glow - using advanced pigmentation inhibitors; Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Mullberry & Bearberry Extracts.

DermaNew DermaBlanc Skin Brightening System -a complete microdermabrasion and botanical skin brighten kit.

Dr. Brandt Laser Lightening System - a non-hydroquinone system that will fade brown spots.

Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel - contains 2% hydroquinone, AHA, licorice and allatonin.

DDF Fade Gel - contains 2% hydroquinone and Azelaic Acid.

Peter Thomas Roth Potent Botanical Skin Brightening Gel Complex - hydroquinone free - Contains the skin smoothing capabilities of AHA, the clarifying and skin brightening properties of kojic and azelaic acids, vitamin C.

PCA SKIN pHaze 13 Pigment Gel - Formulated with kojic acid and AHAs to effectively target various types of hyperpigmentation.  Ideal for hydroquinone sensitive or allergic complexions.

PCA SKIN pHaze 13 Pigment Gel - contains 2% hydroquinone, Glycol, Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Kojic Acid

Neova Kojic Complex Gel - a simple combination of kojic acid and AHA's to lighten and exfoliate.

Obagi Nu-Derm System- A complete skin care system to help reverse the signs of sun aging including brown spots, fine lines and skin texture. This system uses the Obagi 4% hydroquinone along with Retin-A and an exfoliation acid.

 

 

Back to top of page