Due to sun exposure, you may find flat brown spots on the skin. This is non-cancerous and doesn’t usually require treatment. However, some people choose to get it removed for cosmetic reasons.
Sunspots are also called as solar lentigines. They appear in places of the skin that are exposed to the sun like face, arms, feet, shoulders and back. Sunspots are non-cancerous and cannot become cancerous at any point.
The ultraviolet rays produced by the sun stimulate the production of melanocytes. Melanocytes are responsible for giving the skin its colour; this happens due to a substance called melanin present in it. When there is a change in melanin production, there can be changes in the skin colour. Hyperpigmentation happens when there is too much melanin production, and hyperpigmentation is the scenario where there is less production of melanin. Sunspot is a kind of hyperpigmented skin blemish. It is harmless and doesn’t usually require medical attention, but some choose to remove it for cosmetic reasons. Many are curious to know about sunspot treatments. We shall discuss sun spots treatments here.
Ten Ways to Treat Sunspots
How to treat sun spots? There are many sun spot treatments. Let's discuss the best treatment for sunspots on face.
1. Licorice extract - In many commercially available creams for lightening the skin because of tan from the sun, Licorice is the main ingredient. Using this has been shown to lighten the skin and dim the brown spots.
2. Milk - Milk varieties have shown to lighten the skin. Like buttermilk, sour milk and even curd, has skin lightening properties. These might help in making the sunspots better. Milk is the best treatment for sun spots.
3. Aloe vera - Aloe vera contains Aloin and Aloesi two active compounds which have skin lightening properties. So they can be used for hyperpigmentation which includes sunspots. Aloe vera is a sun spots on face treatment.
4. Green and black tea - Both green tea and black tea have found to have depigmenting effects on the skin when used regularly.
5. Apple cider vinegar - Acetic acid in Apple Cider Vinegar has a lightening effect when applied regularly. Apple cider vinegar is also a sun spots on hands treatment.
6. Vitamin E and C - The antioxidants in vitamin C and vitamin E have protective effects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Applying it topically or consuming it potentially diminishes sunspots.
7. Microneedling - Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure which is minimally invasive that uses small needles to penetrate the skin. Doing so induces collagen production, this helps with acne scars and dimming sunspots. A topical numbing cream might be applied to reduce the pain. There will be a little redness and dryness of skin for a few days after the procedure.
8. Cryotherapy - Nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen is used on the sunspots to freeze them off. It is a simple procedure that doesn’t require much time. Cryotherapy is also an option for sun damage on neck treatment.
9. Chemical peels - The acid solution is used on the sunspots, which makes the skin peel off. This makes way for the new skin to grow. This procedure is slightly painful and can require pain medication. Additionally, a cold compress helps reduce the burning sensation. Chemical peels are the sun spots on skin treatment.
10. Laser resurfacing - This procedure involves a wand like device that uses a beam of light to destroy the layers of skin the sunspot has affected. This ensures the growth of new skin with no sunspots. Healing is slow and can take up to 20 days.
Tips to Prevent Sunspots
- Always use sunscreen before going out.
- Reapply sunscreen when you are directly exposed to the sun for a long time.
- Use make-up products that have adequate SPF.
- Avoid going out when the sun is harsh between 10 am-3 pm, and cover yourself before going out in case you do.
- Avoid using tanning beds.
Conclusion
Sunspots are usually not harmful. They are the result of excessive sun exposure. Choosing to get it removed is optional. To avoid sunspots, it is better to not go out in the sun between 10 am and 3 pm. It is also recommended to cover yourself enough and wear sunscreen when going out in the sun.
FAQs
1. What causes skin sunspots?
Due to the sun’s ultraviolet rays melanin is produced in excess, this causes the dark spots on the skin called as sunspots.
2. Do sunspots turn into cancer?
Sunspots, also called as age spots or liver spots is due to sun exposure. They are not related to cancer and don’t turn into cancer.
3. Can sunspots go away naturally?
Most of the time, sunspots fade with time but don’t disappear completely, as the damage to the sun is permanent.
