Overview

Age spots, as their name would suggest, come with the normal aging process. They are skin pigment or melanin that has clustered into one spot, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, not everyone develops age spots, because they are a product of environmental factors like sun exposure. While proper sun protection is the best way to prevent age spots, there also are ways to remove them once they've formed.

Step 1

Use topical creams to lighten and fade the age spots. The Cleveland Clinic suggests using a cream containing tretinoin, which is a type of Vitamin A and available by prescription in the form of Retin-A. With repeated use, this cream will lighten your age spots and create a more youthful appearance.

Step 2

Undergo a chemical peel. Your dermatologist will apply an acid such as glycolic acid, lactic acid or something stronger like a phenol to peel off the top layer of the skin. What this does is encourage new skin growth and help fade away those dark spots at a faster rate. Repeated treatments are usually necessary to achieve good results.

Step 3

Undergo dermabrasion. A wire brush will be placed against the age spot and used to sand off the skin. This wound will heal under controlled conditions, revealing smoother skin with a more even pigment in the end.

Step 4

Have the age spot frozen off using cryotherapy. The area will be frozen and removed, effectively getting rid of the age spot altogether, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Step 5

Undergo laser therapy. During this procedure, a laser is pointed at your skin and is used to destroy the melanin, thereby eliminating the age spot. Several treatments are usually required to achieve desirable results, however.