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.
Some Product Suggestions:
Obagi C-Sunguard SPF 30 – It is a very powerful sun protecting product that combines the advantages of both prescription strength Hydroquinone and potent Vitamin C. It delays the appearance of aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines and protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation of sunlight. With regular application, it improves the skin tone and protects it inherently against any sun damage.
Obagi Nu-derm Clear – It is a superb skin bleaching and corrector cream that contains 4 % Hydroquinone and helps improve uneven skin tone and reduce sun spots.
Obagi C-Clarifying Serum – It is a powerful clarifying serum that combines 4% hydroquinone and Vitamin C serum ( L-ascorbic acid). Vitamin C penetrates through the dermis layer of the skin and reduces melanosome activity and also evens out the skin tone. Hydroquinone helps to eliminate the appearance of sun spots. The serum also provides potent antioxidant therapy.
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.
Some Product Suggestions:
iS Clinical Active Serum – It is a powerful serum that heals the skin and corrects any undue skin condition. It prevents premature aging and repairs damaged skin by scraping off dead skin cells and boosting collagen production within. The serum contains 0.5% Kojic Acid that diminishes the appearance of sun spots and makes the skin smooth and toned.
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum – The serum heals the skin and lightens the skin texture. Apart from this, it improves skin integrity and prevents damage by the ultraviolet radiations of sunlight. It contains 0.5% of Kojic acid that eliminates sun posts, evens out skin pigmentation and prevents the occurrence of acne.
Dr. Marilynn Syrett is a graduate from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine Of The Pacific. She has authored several articles about skin care products like Anti-aging skin care products, Sun Tanning & Sunscreens and so on.