Beauty clinic: Dealing with age spots

I’m starting to notice age spots on my face and hands. Can anything really clear them?

Age spots are caused by sun damage or hormonal changes and can actually occur at any stage of adulthood. Anti-ageing creams that claim to lighten them without using ingredients independently proven to do so are frustrating.

Hydroquinone has the most impressive lightening capabilities we know of, though there are also studies showing kojic acid, azelaic acid, tretinoin (a prescription-only retinoid), and vitamin C to have a brightening effect on brown or grey spots.

Hydroquinone is available in concentrations upto 2% in cosmetics and 4% in prescription products. Pevonia Botanica Lightening Gel, €64.40 @pevonia.co.uk suits all skin types and enhances a useful amount of hydroquinone with soothing extracts.

Regular exfoliation with a gentle alpha hydroxy acid lotion benefits many skin issues caused by UV exposure, including age spots.

These exfoliants also increase the benefits of reparative serums and moisturisers used between applications. Try Olay Regenerist Night Renewal Elixir Serum, €26.61.

Lasering is a sensitising but frequently effective option you may wish to consider if you simply can’t bear to wait for improvement through skincare, though the aftercare will still require vigilance and new products.

Alcohol, denatured alcohol, menthol, heavy fragrance (including fragrant plant extracts), and harsh (non-polyethylene) scrubs can all inhibit skin’s ability to heal itself. Drop these ingredients from your regime today!

You’ll need a day cream with broad- spectrum SPF25 or higher to safeguard against UV-related age spots. To camouflage them perfectly, mix some Cover FX Custom Cover Drops, €50.70 www.beautybay.com , with your makeup or moisturiser. The shade range is ultra-natural and the formula is rich in skin-soothers and proven antioxidants.

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