Have you suddenly started to notice dark spots and pigmentation appearing on your face? Are the spots still relatively light but you want to address them before they become more pronounced. People often make the assumption that dark spots on the face only appear as you age, and while they certainly are more common with age that doesn’t mean they can’t develop much earlier. 

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These dark spots can be a result of acne scarring, they may be age spots, new freckles, hormonal changes, or even sun damage. The good news is that it really doesn’t matter what has caused them, the treatment options remain the same. So what are the best treatment options? Here are some of the most effective ways you can fade and even get rid of dark spots on your face.

Look Into Targeted Topical Serums and Creams

A great place to start with your dark spots is to try targeted topical solutions such as serums and creams. In terms of what to buy, you want to look for a serum or cream that will lighten your spots. A common ingredient used in these creams is hydroquinone, but this is a very potent ingredient and isn't recommended for long-term use.

Another option is to give retinoid products a try. Retinoic acid works to exfoliate your skin by speeding up the cell turnover process. What this means is that you'll be able to reveal fresh healthy looking skin, free of dark spots. With these products, your skin will be extremely sensitive to the sun though, so you need to wear a good quality high-level SPF. They can also take a while to start working, and can be quite drying to your skin.

Slough Off the Top Layer of Skin with Chemical Exfoliators

A chemical exfoliator can be another option. These work by removing the top layer of your skin where those dead skin cells are sitting. Just like with the creams and serums, the idea is that you then have fresh healthy skin under that layer.

Common ingredients in a chemical exfoliator include lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, beta hydroxy acid, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and mandelic acid.

Photofacials Can Provide Incredible Results

For those who are dealing with more pigmented and pronounced dark spots, older spots, and just more spots in general, you may want to look into a photofacial. Photofacials can address a number of issues such as age spots, sun damage, dark spots, and other issues not related to pigmentation such as redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

Laser for pigmentation is a popular and effective treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including age spots, sunspots, freckles, and melasma. The laser works by targeting the melanin in the skin, which is the pigment that gives our skin its color. The laser pulses break up the melanin into smaller particles, which are then absorbed by the body. This process can help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and even out the skin tone.

The term "photofacial" encompasses a few treatments which are BroadBand Light (BBL), intense pulsed light (IPL), and laser treatments. Each one has its own list of pros and cons and aftercare is crucial with all. You will likely be told to stay out of the sun for a period of 4-6 weeks after your treatment, so having it done in the spring and summer may not be the best plan. All other aftercare tips will be discussed with you, and will help to determine just how good your results are.

While each of these treatments is different they all share a common goal – to reveal fresh new skin and diminish the look of dark spots.