Age Spots: What They Are, Causes &
How to Get Rid of Them
Age Spots
on Skin
Do you have brown spots on your hands or small, dark discolourations on your face? Don’t worry – these age spots are natural and harmless skin reactions. But if you'd like to reduce how visible they are, this guide is for you. Discover what age spots are, what causes them and get helpful tips on how you can effectively prevent and reduce them in your everyday skincare routine.
What are age spots on the
face, hands and body?
Age spots are light brown to black discolourations on your skin. Because they increase in number and intensity over the years, they’re called “age spots”. Basically, they’re pigment spots that appear as your skin ages and after years of exposure to the sun.
- Age spots on the face:
Age spots on the face are very common, as it’s an area that’s often exposed to the sun – one of the main triggers. Age spots on the face are darker patches of skin that usually appear on areas such as your cheeks, forehead and nose.
- Age spots on the hands:
Age spots usually appear on the backs of your hands and, just like age spots on the face, they can grow and merge together over time.
Age spots on hands can look flat and brownish in colour, which can make them appear like brown stains. Sometimes age spots on hands can show up as raised growths known as seborrhoeic keratosis.
- Age spots on the body:
Age spots can also appear on other parts of your body, commonly on your arms, shoulders and legs. They’re the most common cause of discolouration and, just like on the face, these pigmentations can develop from sun exposure, hormonal changes, pregnancy or some types of medication.
Whether on your face, hands or body, age spots usually appear from around the age of 40 and are a natural sign of ageing. After all, your skin has looked after you for many years. They can affect people of all skin types, but are more common in adults with lighter skin tones.
The Different Types of
Age Spots
Age spots typically fall into two main types, based on their causes and appearance:
- Senile lentigines:
Senile lentigines are age spots that are a result of the natural ageing process, and not only due to sun exposure. They tend to be smaller and more numerous compared to sun-induced age spots. Senile lentigines may develop on parts of your body that are less often exposed to the sun, like your chest, tummy and back.
- Solar lentigines:
These are the most common type of age spots and are caused by long-term exposure to the sun’s UV rays. They appear as flat, oval or irregularly shaped spots with different shades of brown, tan or black. These spots normally show up on areas of skin that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as your face, hands, shoulders, arms and upper back.
It’s important to know that age spots are generally harmless and usually not a cause for medical concern. But it’s still essential to keep an eye on any changes in the appearance of spots on your skin and to chat to a dermatologist if you’re unsure about them or if they start to look irregular.
What Causes
Age Spots?
Age spots are mainly caused by long-term exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Here are 4 of the main factors that contribute to their development:
1. Sun exposure:
The biggest cause of age spots is years of too much sun exposure. UV rays trigger the production of melanin, which darkens the skin and leads to age spots.
2. Age:
As you get older, your skin becomes more likely to develop age spots. Your skin’s ability to regenerate and repair itself slows down, which makes it easier for melanin to build up in certain areas.
3. Genetics:
Your genes can also play a role in developing age spots. If your parents or close relatives have a history of age spots, you may be more prone to getting them too.
4. Hormonal changes:
Hormonal fluctuations – for example during pregnancy or menopause – can trigger the appearance of age spots.
How to Get Rid of
Age Spots?
Getting rid of age spots completely can be quite difficult, but there are a few approaches you can try to help reduce them. Here are some options that can help minimise how visible they are (just remember that some of these can be invasive, so chat to your dermatologist if you’re unsure about what’s best for you):
- Skincare routine:
Build a skincare routine that specifically targets this concern by using cleansers, serums, moisturisers and a sunscreen that can help fade and reduce the appearance of age spots over time. This is one of the safest and easiest ways to deal with skin concerns, so it’s our top recommendation. - Laser therapy:
Laser treatments, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) or fractional laser therapy, can target and break down the melanin in age spots, which can reduce their appearance. These treatments are usually done by dermatologists or trained professionals.
- Chemical peels:
Chemical peels use a chemical solution on the skin to remove the top layers, encouraging new skin to grow and helping to reduce the appearance of age spots.
- Cryotherapy:
In this procedure, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and destroy the excess melanin in age spots, which can make them fade over time.
- Microdermabrasion:
With this treatment, the upper layers of the skin are removed mechanically. Fine crystals are blasted onto the skin at high speed and then suctioned off again. This helps remove deeper discolourations so the skin can regenerate.
- Home remedies:
Some natural remedies, like lemon juice, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar and green tea extract, may help lighten age spots when you apply them to your skin. But it’s important to use these carefully and always do a patch test first to avoid skin irritation.
Before you decide on any invasive treatment (like laser therapy, chemical peels, cryotherapy or microdermabrasion), chat to a dermatologist so you can find the best option for your skin type and for how strong your age spots are. And remember: consistent sun protection is key to preventing new age spots from forming and keeping your skin healthy overall.
NIVEA Luminous630 Skincare Routine
to Reduce Age Spots:
Cleanse and tone: Start your skincare routine with a thorough cleanse and tone to remove dirt and impurities, so your skin is ready to absorb all the nourishing ingredients in the rest of your routine.
Serum:
Choose a serum that can help brighten your skin and fade dark spots, including age spots. Products like the NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 Anti-Spot 2-in-1 Anti-Age & Spot Serum contain collagen-boosting ingredients and hyaluronic acid to flood your skin with moisture. It’s formulated to help target age spots, even out your skin tone and reduce wrinkles. Dermatologically approved, it’s gentle on your skin and suitable for all skin types.
The NIVEA MEN Anti-Age 2 in 1 Power Serum also helps target signs of ageing. Formulated with Thiamidol and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, fight wrinkles and reduce the appearance of age spots, it’s a convenient option if you’re looking for effective anti-age care for men.
Day cream:
A day cream gives your skin essential moisture and hydration throughout the day, helping to restore the skin’s natural barrier and shielding it from environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution and other factors that can contribute to age spots and other skin concerns. The NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 Anti-Dark Spot Day Cream is a lightweight moisturiser that not only delivers intense moisture but also helps to reduce the appearance of age spots over time. Made with powerful Thiamidol technology, it’s suitable and effective for all skin types.
Night cream:
At night, support your skin’s natural regeneration process while you sleep by using a night cream with ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of age spots. The NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 Anti-Dark Spot Night Cream contains cell-activating hyaluronic acid to help rejuvenate your skin and Thiamidol to help reduce the appearance of age spots.
Sunscreen:
During the day, make sure you protect your skin from further sun damage and shield it from harmful UV rays by applying a sunscreen with a high SPF. The NIVEA SUN UV Face Specialist Dark Spot Control Fluid helps to prevent and visibly reduce sun-induced spots by protecting your delicate facial skin against UV rays. This light, non-greasy fluid is enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for a refreshing effect and a smooth skin feel. It also contains Thiamidol to visibly reduce sun-induced age spots within just 4 weeks.
Optional weekly mask treatment:
Once a week you can also add a brightening face mask to your routine. The NIVEA Q10 Power Anti-Age Brightening Mask gives your skin an extra boost of brightness. The serum-infused mask is enriched with dual-action coenzyme Q10 and works as a powerful antioxidant to protect your skin against external aggressors.
By bringing NIVEA’s Luminous skincare products into your routine, you can help reduce age spots and also help prevent new ones from forming.
How Does Thiamidol
Help Age Spots?
After 10 years of research and testing, NIVEA has introduced a breakthrough solution for dark spot treatment: the patented ingredient Thiamidol, created to help address melanin production at a cellular level.
Thiamidol is NIVEA’s innovative patented ingredient that can help fade and prevent dark spots and age spots. Developed by a team of skincare experts, Thiamidol works to safely fade dark spots and help prevent future pigmentation from forming.
The range is also enriched with powerful ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, found in the advanced treatment serum to brighten your skin. There’s also a collagen booster in the anti-age and spot serum to help smooth deep wrinkles.
How to Get Rid of
Age Spots on Hands
To minimise age spots on your hands, make a habit of applying sunscreen to the backs of them. Regularly using sunscreen can help prevent more age spots from developing because of sun exposure.
The NIVEA Luminous630 Anti Dark-Spot Advanced Hand Cream is enriched with NIVEA’s breakthrough ingredient Thiamidol and hyaluronic acid to nourish dry hands. The cream contains SPF 15 to help protect your hands against sun-induced darkening, which may help reduce the appearance of age spots. It also helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to Prevent
Age Spots?
Preventing age spots means building in daily habits that protect your skin from harmful UV rays and taking good care of it overall. Here are some simple, effective strategies to help prevent age spots:
Sunscreen:
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even when it’s cloudy. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Sunscreen creates a protective layer that helps shield your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation.
Seek shade:
Try to limit how much time you spend in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours when the sun’s rays are strongest (usually between 10 am and 4 pm). Look for shade under trees or umbrellas, or head indoors if you can.
Protective clothing:
Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts and trousers made from tightly woven fabrics to help shield your skin from the sun. By making these preventive steps part of your daily routine and treating sun protection as a non‑negotiable, you can seriously reduce your chances of getting age spots and keep your skin looking healthier and more youthful over time.
Keep hydrated:
Staying hydrated helps maintain your skin’s moisture barrier, which acts like a protective shield against outside factors such as UV radiation, pollution and free radicals. A strong moisture barrier can help prevent damage that may lead to age spots. To stay hydrated, it’s generally recommended to drink at least 1.2 litres of water a day.
Age Spot
Takeaway
Age spots are a common skin concern that many people notice as they get older. They’re natural and usually appear on areas that get a lot of sun, like your face, hands and legs. Even though they’re a harmless reaction of the skin, they can still bother you if you’d prefer a more even skin tone.
The good news is that you can help prevent and treat age spots by applying sunscreen regularly and avoiding sunbeds to protect your skin from UV rays. There are also various treatment options, including creams, serums, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser therapy and home remedies.
While age spots are generally not dangerous, it’s strongly recommended that you have any skin discolouration checked by a dermatologist to rule out more serious skin conditions.
