Can at-home and OTC remedies really remove age spots?

At-Home Remedies for Age Spots: Do They Work?

There are bathroom and kitchen staples that people claim are all natural solutions for age spots. While they seem convenient, many are ineffective. Some may even cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, contributing to discoloration, says Robert Anolik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in New York City. Heres what you need to know about four popular at-home remedies.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera may be a go-to skin soother for sunburn, but it wont be effective for age spots. Aloe is a calming botanical, says Jordan Carqueville, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director of the Derm Institute of Chicago. Aside from its soothing properties, its an inactive (or neutral) ingredient, which is why she doesnt recommend it to reducehyperpigmentation.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice contains citric and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), both of which have brightening properties when used in topical skin-care products, says Dr. Anolik.

Turmeric

Moreover, applying turmeric or curcumin powder directly onto the skin can cause skin irritation, he warns.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which is said to brighten the skin by exfoliating it. Unfortunately, this hasnt been proven in research. To date, there are no published randomized controlled trials supporting its use for hyperpigmentation," Anolik says.

Its also more likely to disrupt your skin barrier (the outermost layer of skin) and cause irritation, he adds.

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Vitamin C

Retinoids

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Alpha-hydroxy acids accelerate cell turnover, encouraging the skin to shed its hyperpigmented surface cells faster and replace them with newer, less discolored ones, Anolik says. They dont suppress melanin production directly they just help clear the evidence, he adds.

Niacinamide

This vitamin B3 derivative takes a different approach to fading discoloration. This ingredient works by essentially standing in the way of the pigment transfer process, Anolik explains. It doesnt stop melanin from being made; it stops it from being delivered. Think of it as a traffic blocker, he says.

When to See a Dermatologist

It takes time to see results from a new product. Give any intervention 6 to 12 weeks to see if it works for you, Dr. Carqueville says. If its not doing anything for your skin, its either time to try something new or seek intervention with a dermatologist, she suggests.

Your dermatologist can provide a personal evaluation, suggest a skin-care plan to follow, and possibly recommend added procedures (such as peels, lasers, or prescription products) to improve results, Anolik says.

Carqueville also stresses the importance of wearing sunscreen daily, as sun exposure can cause age spots. Going without it will undo all the work youre putting in to reduce the appearance of discolorations in the first place, she says.

If you have asymmetric age spots that have changed in size, shape, or color; have irregular borders; contain multiple colors; bleed, itch, or cause pain; or are new and growing, its time to be evaluated for skin cancer by a dermatologist, Anolik says.

The Takeaway