Sun Spots

I was trolling my usual places on the internet today, looking for details on another story when I came across this. It caught my eye because at a recent Women's Health Expo sponsored by B95.5 I moderated a panel on skin care. Dealing with age spots caused by the sun was a topic of conversation .. so when I came across this on TOPICAL TREATMENTS FOR AGE SPOTS from the 12/3/07 issue of the Harvard Women's Health Watch I figured I'd share.


Hydroquinone
Many dermatologists consider this cream the best choice for treating age spots. You can expect to see results in four to six weeks, with the greatest improvement after four to six months. The most common side effect is irritation or reddening. The FDA recently proposed a ban on over-the-counter preparations containing hydroquinone because studies found that the drug may cause cancer when fed to rats and mice. So far, there are no studies showing any increased risk to humans using the drug topically. The FDA is still responding to challenges from critics who oppose the ban.

Tretinoin
Topical tretinoin was first approved for treating acne, but trials have demonstrated that it also improves photoaged skin. It can take several months to lighten age spots, and side effects include redness, scaling, and itchiness, although these generally subside after a few weeks. Brand names include Retin-A, Renova, and Avita.

Adapalene gel
This prescription drug is approved only for treating acne, but sometimes it is used off-label to improve photoaged skin.

These topicals work mainly by interrupting the formation of melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning. To get the best results, you should also use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

The spots can also be removed by surgery, microdermabrasion or chemical peel.