4 Ways to Treat Age Spots on Your Hands

The signs of aging on the face are not the only ones that can betray our age. Our hands can also do the same. As they are constantly exposed to elements and experience a lot of wear, signs of aging can appear sooner than we expect.

Age spots (also called liver spots) are one of the most common signs of aging that show up on hands. They vary in size and shape and are usually darker than the rest of the skin. These spots commonly appear on hands and other areas that receive the most sun exposure like the face, forearms, shoulder, and upper back.

What causes age spots on hands?

Too much time in the sun or years of sun exposure is the main cause of age spots. This is because ultraviolet (UV) light accelerates the production of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin and eyes its color. This can then result in brown or dark marks. Age spots are formed in an attempt to protect your skin from sun damage.

Although age spots can start appearing at around 50s, this doesn’t mean that younger people are susceptible to them. These dark marks can pop up at an early age if you spend too much time in the sun. You are also more likely to have age spots if you have light skin or have a history of intense or frequent sunburn or sun exposure.

How can I treat or lighten age spots on hands?

If you have age spots and want to fade or lighten them, a combination of preventative measures and proper treatments is important. At Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we have a number of treatments that can lighten or reduce the appearance of liver spots. Here are a few things that can help:

1. Limelight IPL

Limelight uses intense pulsed light or IPL to address skin surface problems. It delivers pulses of light onto the skin, which helps in targeting and drawing out darkened spots. This can cause the spots to turn darker, but they will crumble off after 5 to 7 days. The brown spots will eventually get better after this period. 

Limelight IPL can help address brown spots, pigmentation, sun damage, and redness. It can be used on any part of the face, neck, chest, shoulders, arms, and hands with brown spots, tiny veins and skin redness.

2. Pearl Procedure

Pearl laser resurfacing uses pulses of light in a pre-selected pattern to treat the skin’s top layer. It sends heat to the deeper layers, stimulating new collagen growth. This also causes the skin to form a protective dressing, which will peel off after three to four days, revealing healthier and even-toned skin.

This procedure can help reduce hyperpigmentation, improve wrinkles, and correct uneven texture with fewer treatments and less overall recovery than other technologies. It can also improve the appearance of acne marks and scars, age spots, and sun damage. 

3. VI Peel

This stronger type of chemical peel features a blend of clinically proven ingredients (vitamin C, salicylic acid, phenol, trichloroacetic acid, and other minerals) to improve skin tone and texture. VI Peel involves the application of the solution on the face, which will cause peeling on the second or third day and continue for up to six days. 

The full results of VI peel can take four to six weeks to appear. This procedure is ideal for treating or improving sun damage, fine lines, acne and acne marks, as well as brown spots and freckles. It can lead to significant skin improvement, resulting in healthy and radiant complexion.

4. Don’t forget sun protection

Since sun exposure is the primary cause of age spots, it is only important to protect your skin from the sun. Here are some tips that can prevent age spots or keep existing ones from darkening. 

• Wear sunscreen daily – Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours or more if you’re swimming or sweating heavily.
• Limit sun exposure – Avoid or limit direct sun exposure where UV rays are the strongest, between 10 am and 4pm. Seek shade when you’re out or when the sun is shining bright.
• Accessorize – Consider using sun gloves to protect your hands, especially when driving, fishing, or doing other activities that can expose your hands to the sun. Don’t forget to protect other parts of the body by using sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat. 
• Use vitamin C serum – As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C (in the form of serum) can reduce spots, brighten the skin, and promote healthier complexion. Vitamin C serum can also promote collagen production for younger-looking skin.

Deal with age spots on your hands the right way. Contact Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, to find out the right treatment for you.