Reversing the Signs of Sun Damage

Have you ever noticed those ugly brown spots that start to appear on your skin? They are called liver spots or age spots. You may wonder, what are liver spots, what do liver spots look like, or what causes liver spots on the face and hands?

Liver spots and age spots are actually sun damage coming to the surface of the skin. But be warned-- what you see now is only the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath is threatening to come out in the next 10-15 years.

Sun damage can show up as sallow or dull looking skin. Most people are unaware of what causes their skin to lose brightness and radiance.

The good news is that there is an answer. Many people wonder how to get rid of liver spots.

The first option is to visit a dermatologist and undergo a series of laser treatments. The treatments generally cost between $2,000 and $4,000. The bad news is that they are not always effective. Since sun damage in the form of brown spots is sometimes aggravated by heat, the laser (in rare instances) can sometimes have the opposite of the desired effect and make them appear worse.

A dermatologist may also prescribe a 4% Hydroquinone lotion to lighten the spots.

Finally, there are now new products available in OTC strength that contain the ingredient hydroquinone. In the past, most of the cremes and treatments available needed to be prescribed by a Dermatologist. There are some new remedies on the market that are available in OTC strength, however. Hydroquinone in 2% strength is FDA approved for OTC Sale.

The most effective way to removed age spots tends to be a Skin Regimen which often includes three or four steps. Research has shown that layering the medications increases their efficacy, allows greater absorption of the medications by the skin, and provides maximum results.

Sun damage is a bigger problem than we have realized in the past, and it is just starting to come to the surface. It is estimated that 50 million Americans suffer from acne. Now we are discovering that twice that number (100 million) suffer from sun damage. That's 1 in 3 Americans! Most people are not even aware that they have sun damage.

The best way to prevent sun damage is to utilize a moisturizer that has SPF 30 or greater on a daily basis, and provides protection against UVA and UVB rays. This is important because UVA rays cause aging, while UVB rays cause burning. Not wearing sunscreen on a daily basis, even when outside for only 20-30 minutes per day, is equivalent to laying in the sun for 8 hours per day, over a period of 2 weeks, without sunscreen. Daily exposure really adds up!

If you do show signs of aging, don't worry-- there are remedies available. Skin does have a memory, however, and the spots can reappear. The best course of action is a Hydroquinone based cleanser, toner, and lotion, followed by a good sunscreen.