If spending too much time in the sun has left you with freckles and age spots, makeup alone won’t be able to improve the look of your skin. Age spots are a result of sun damage and can become darker over time. They typically appear on the hands, face and chest – areas that are more vulnerable to being hit by the sun’s rays on a regular basis.   

Age spots can appear at any age, but aging skin is more vulnerable to developing age spots because cells can’t fend off powerful ultraviolet rays. Still, there are some ways to reduce the appearance of age spots and even remove them completely.   

Here are five strategies for managing skin pigmentation, freckles and age spots effectively:  

Lighten Age Spots with Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Alpha hydroxy acid is commonly found in light chemical peels and skincare products because of its skin-lightening benefits. Most people who have a dull or ruddy complexion can benefit from skin rejuvenation treatments that lighten up the color and tone of the skin to create a more youthful glow. Alpha hydroxy acids can be applied directly onto the skin as an exfoliant, smoothing away and lightening age spots over time.   

Remove Age Spots with Laser Skin Resurfacing

Today’s innovative laser skin resurfacing technologies can blast away age spots and leave skin looking younger. Non-ablative lasers stimulate tissues deep within the skin’s layers to create ‘trauma’ in the treatment area. This helps to accelerate collagen production as skin cells recover from the heat, resulting in faster rates of cell turnover and a fresh new layer of skin. Laser skin resurfacing techniques such as Fraxel are an effective treatment for age spot removal.  

Lighten Age Spots with Cosmetics

Makeup can help camouflage age spots, making them less noticeable under bright lights. A consultation with a skincare specialist or beauty expert can determine the right brand of makeup and concealing products for your skin so you can enjoy a natural look any time of day. Look for makeup that contains a high concentration of sunscreen to prevent even more age spots from developing.  

Reduce the Risk of Age Spots with Better Sun Protection

Sunscreen and sunblock need to be applied to the skin even on a cloudy day; UV rays are just as potent and damaging when the sun is nowhere in sight, so stock up on the right SPF-based products on a daily basis. Wearing makeup with sunscreen can help, but you can take extra steps to prevent age spots by wearing a thin layer of sun protecting-products under any cosmetics.  

Remove Age Spots with Photo Rejuvenation

Laser photo rejuvenation treatments can be used to remove scars, wrinkles and manage acne but can also be used for age spot removal. Light therapy can be administered on different parts of the body, and a series of treatments can help lighten age spots and remove them completely over time.    

Age spots can be prevented with a healthy sun protection regiment, but sun damage can still make its way to vulnerable patches of aging skin. When you want to reduce the appearance of freckles and other skin pigmentation, try any of these five strategies to keep your skin clear, smooth and youthful-looking.  

Learn more about age spot removal in our information guide, or consult with a cosmetic dermatologist in your area to find out which age spot removal treatment will be the best for your skin and anti-aging goals.