Symptoms of Age Marks on the Face
If your complexion appears slightly uneven due to small, dark patches of skin, you might be noticing age marks on skin, commonly known as age spots. These are often found in areas of the face that receive a lot of sun exposure, such as the cheeks and forehead. While age spots can be a concern for some, they pose no immediate harm.
However, they do signify sun damage which can put you at greater risk of skin cancer. That’s why you should apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to the face every day, even in winter, to avoid any further UV damage. You should also consult a dermatologist immediately if the patches of darker skin start to change colour and size.
Causes of age spots
Sun Exposure
UVA radiation is present in our environment all year round and its long wavelengths can penetrate the skin even on cloudy, grey days. If the skin is not protected with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, UV exposure kickstarts cells called melanocytes to produce more melanin as a protective measure. The cumulative effect of long-term sun exposure can then lead the skin to produce too much melanin. Dark patches of skin then form in sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck and chest.
Ageing
Many people find that age spots become worse as they get older and they develop more liver spots on their face, chest and hands. This happens as the skin becomes thinner as we age which can leave the skin more vulnerable to UV damage.
Tanning Beds
Tanning beds make the skin darker by exposing it to UVB light in a controlled environment. As this triggers the production of melanocytes, tanning beds are very dangerous to the skin and can put you at greater risk of serious illness such as melanoma (skin cancer). The associated skin damage can also cause premature skin ageing and age spots.
Genetics
Your genetics and family history can increase your susceptibility to age spots. For instance, if you have very fair skin, you may be very sensitive to the sun and its associated damage. Darker skin tones can also be more prone to age spots and hyperpigmentation. This is because they have more melanin in their skin which can lead their skin to have a stronger reaction to sun exposure.
Risk Factors
To sum up, here’s a reminder of the risk factors to be aware of:
Skin Type
Fair skin types and darker skin tones are more susceptible to age spots
Age:
The risk of age spots increases over the age of 40 when the skin starts to become thinner. The cumulative effect of years of sun exposure also starts to reveal itself on the skin.
If you fall into any of these risk areas, it’s even more important to commit to a good skincare routine that will lower age-spot risks. Ahead we take a closer look at what this will include.
Prevention
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Apply daily sunscreen
Prevention is always better than the cure so protecting your skin from UV damage in early life is the best option. However, daily sunscreen application is beneficial at every life stage as it helps to improve the appearance of existing age spots while preventing existing sun damage from becoming worse.
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Age Protect, for instance, offers very high UV protection in addition to Hyaluronic Acid, PHE-Resorcinol and LHA, Niacinamide and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water. Together, these ingredients help to improve the skin’s overall texture.
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Eat a well-balanced diet
The food we eat has a direct impact on our skin and incorporating zinc and selenium-rich foods, such as brown rice, lentils, and brazil nuts, can support skin health.
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Wear protective clothing
In addition to sunscreen, you should also protect the skin from UV exposure by wearing wide-brimmed hats in direct sunlight, and sunglasses for additional sun protection around the eyes.
Treatment
In addition to a good skincare routine, you can also improve the appearance of age spots with targeted professional and over-the-counter treatments.
Laser Therapy and Chemical Peels
Laser therapy and chemical peels can target dark spots at a deeper level and have more dramatic results than topical products.
Laser therapy draws pigment to the surface before heating it up and breaking it down.
Chemical peels use exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid to gently exfoliate the top layer of skin and remove dead skin cells. Deep chemical peels can also be used to target specific areas of dark spots and tackle more pronounced hyperpigmentation.
These types of treatments should be conducted by a professional dermatologist or aesthetician who can advise you on the best course of action to achieve the results you want
Brightening Serums
Brightening serums that contain antioxidants such as Vitamin C (otherwise known as L-ascorbic acid) can help to fade dark spots and enhance the skin’s natural radiance. La Roche-Posay’s Pure Vitamin C12 Face Serum, for instance, can help to create a more uniform complexion.
Likewise, Mela B3 Serum helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots for 94%*, even persistent ones, whilst helping prevent the appearance of future dark spot discolouration, to leave the skin looking brighter. It does this by combining the multi-patented Melasyl™ ingredient - our active melanin trapper - with 10% Niacinamide for a multi-action against hyperpigmentation.
La Roche-Posay's Mela B3 Serum and Mela B3 range are also formulated specifically for the needs of skin affected by dark spots.
*50 subjects, instrumental measurement of size of overall area of dark spots after 12 weeks.
Retinol Products
Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for tackling skin damage and ageing signs as it boosts collagen production and increases skin-cell turnover. As such, targeted treatments formulated with retinol such as La Roche-Posay Redermic R are very effective at reducing the appearance of dark spots.
Exfoliating Cleansers
An exfoliating cleanser such as La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Cleanser can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots by removing dead skin and improving the overall texture and brightness of your complexion.
Age Spot Management
If you’re concerned about age spots, there are lots of ways that you can help to improve their appearance. Visiting a professional or dermatologist is always a good idea as they can advise you on the best course of action and set your expectations accordingly.
Don’t forget that applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face, neck and chest each morning is also vital - whether you’re looking to prevent age spots or lessen the appearance of existing hyperpigmentation.
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