How to Deal with Stubborn Sunspots
While many people learn to love their freckles, it can be harder to get comfortable with those stubborn sunspots that appear with age, hormonal changes, and of course, after repeated exposure to the sun. On the tops of cheeks, sprinkled across the nose and even smattered on the lower lip, sunspots can create an uneven look to the complexion.
“Sunspots occur when the sun’s rays send a signal to the skin to make more melanocytes in the epidermis,” says Chanel Consulting Dermatologist, Dr. Amy Wechsler. “And the fairer one’s skin, the more likely it is to make sunspots.”
To remove the spots, a dermatologist or esthetician can use lasers or prescribe a topical product like hydroquinone, a skin-bleaching agent, which has been known to have negative side effects such as burning, redness, and discoloration. These more aggressive treatments have proven effective, but may not be for everyone, particularly those searching for a natural approach to lifting the hyper-pigmentation out of their complexion.
Chanel Jenae, co-owner and head esthetician at Arcona, the Los Angeles spa and product line that uses safe, non-toxic ingredients, advises to look for formulas that contain the following vitamins and natural elements in order to start lifting and lightening in a less aggressive, yet still effective manner.
Vitamin A: The “gold standard.” It begins to lighten splotches; discolorations and uneven skin tone in 4-6 weeks.
Vitamin C: Look for formulas with 15% or more. Applied daily, this helps to dramatically improve discoloration, defend and protect skin from sun-induced redness.
Azelaic Acid: An excellent brightener for sensitive, dry and rosacea prone skin. Unlike hydroquinone it only targets excess melanin and doesn’t lighten normal healthy skin.
Kojic Acid: Kojic acid attacks the root of the pigmentation source by inhibiting the production of melanin.
Several products containing other natural lighteners are popping up for summer, including Elemis White Even Brightening Lotion ($70) which uses daisy extract to help inhibit the production of melanin, Sonya Dakar’s Fade Away ($195), which also uses daisy extract to combat spots as well as lactic acid to exfoliate and brighten skin, and Le Blanc from Chanel, which has a pearl protein extract to brighten the complexion.
And as with most sun-related skin issues, prevention is key. Dr. Wechsler emphasizes the need to wear a good broad-spectrum sunscreen preferably with zinc oxide, and says that spots can lighten by staying out of the sun and using ample protection.
For those of us who can’t resist clocking in some time in the sun this summer and want to try and prevent new spots from forming, calm the skin after a day full of rays with an anti-inflammatory mask like Arcona’s Tea Tree Mask ($36). And for all over the body, aromatic oil like Bottega Organica’s After-Sun Oil ($66) contains lavender, St. John’s wort and peppermint, which work together to soothe the skin against the damaging effects of the sun.
Related:
The Best Sunscreen For Your Face
