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sun/age spots on hands

7194 Views 27 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  amandagreen
Over the past 4 years I've been getting more and more age spots on the back of my hands. I am 44 years old. The more they appear, the more I am ashamed to show my hands. I have tried a 4% hydroquinone bleaching cream my dermatologist prescribed, however it did not help at all. Is there any other solution? I am even considering some sort of cosmetic surgery. Please help.. i am desperate!
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YOu can try products with Kojic Acid. There are some creams with 10% kojic acid which is alot. Also make sure to put a sunscreen on top.
NIA24 will remove them . I got mine at Clarian hospital but they have a web site.
Age spots are caused by prolonged and repeated sun exposure or sun burns and usually appear later in adult life. Ephelides occur even in children after brief periods of sun exposure. Both types of pigmented spots only rarely occur in non sun exposed areas.

Sun avoidance and the use of good sun screen protection SPF 30 can help lessen the appearance of both lentigines and freckles. Liver spots are different than freckles. Freckles are caused by melanin pigments which react to the sunlight in fair-skinned people.

Kojic Acid either in soap or cream is excellent for skin rejuvenation, dries pimples, removes age spots and any kind of skin blemishes.
thanks for that info...I have lived in the tropics for 40 years...and hate the sunspots...even though compared to some younger people the are minimal.. I will try the Kojic Acid...Is it readily available from health food shop??? never heard of it before
I'm with Mony TCA peels and Tazoric cream
I remember my mother used to swear by lemon juice on the back of the hands, and I know she never had any spots on them right up until her death (she died in her 90's though). I always intend doing it but always forget to.
And! Once you get those smooth clear hands back: DoN't forget the sunscreen and/or gloves!!! Driving gloves are a great idea to prevent prolonged exposure right up there where it beats down on them!!



I use Retin A on my hands and ALWAYS sunscreen.

I have also done a couple TCA peels on them. This works really well!!!
I'll go with gymrat and goatlady's suggestion.

If you go for retin A, it absolutely does require highest SPF possible and no tanning. Combined with a few TCA peels in the beginning to get rid of the spots and then treat the skin with substances like rosehip oil, pomegranate oil and antioxidants to nourish and rejuvenate in a more gentle manner. This is much more appealing to me than continuous use of hydroquinone and other whitening agents.
I'm fair skinned with a lot of freckles - started getting age spots a few years ago (I'm 58) and have been searching for something -- yesterday I found it. My age spots were so embarrassing to me that I would wear long sleeve tops to cover my arms (and I'm in good shape for my age - I work out and would love to show off my arms.) Anyway, I digress - I'm truly amazed at the results I've had in only one day. It's Patricia Wexler M.D.'s Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer SPF 30. It seemed expensive ($39.50 for a 1.7 oz. jar). But you need very little - I used only part of the cream that was on the plastic internal top last night and I can already see that my spots have faded - they are not gone, but they are significantly lighter. I hadn't tried on my legs yet - I was so amazed that this morning I put on one leg and not the other. I want to make sure I'm not dreaming! This stuff is amazing. Now the price doesn't seem high to me anymore. As far as I know you can only get from Bath & Body Works or on-line.
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NIA24 will remove them . I got mine at Clarian hospital but they have a web site.
NIA24 Skin Care at BeautiCreams

never heard of it, anyone else?
NIA24 Skin Care at BeautiCreams

never heard of it, anyone else?
Yes I have heard of it and used it. I bought it from my derm. I had to stop using it due to the fact that I use Vit C serum. The niacin/ Vit C counteract each other, so I stopped using the NIA24. Also, if you are using it on your face it can cause flushing and a little purging. So just keep that in mind. Other than that, I think it is great stuff!!
I use Retin A on my hands and ALWAYS sunscreen.

I have also done a couple TCA peels on them. This works really well!!![/QUOTE


How pale are you gymrat? I mean is it easy to keep up? I have not braved TCA and retinoids because I feel I need to keep my skins natural ability to defend it's self against UV and sun exposure. I mean, if I go on a biking holiday, or a few days hiking in the mountains or something like that, skin care is out the window, and is at most cleanser and SPF50, perhaps something regeneration at night. One of the risks with a full TCA is killing of pigmentation producing cells, and I have been hesitant about that. What do you do when you are in the sun all day? Caps, gloves and SPF∞ ?
I use Retin A on my hands and ALWAYS sunscreen.

I have also done a couple TCA peels on them. This works really well!!![/QUOTE


How pale are you gymrat? I mean is it easy to keep up? I have not braved TCA and retinoids because I feel I need to keep my skins natural ability to defend it's self against UV and sun exposure. I mean, if I go on a biking holiday, or a few days hiking in the mountains or something like that, skin care is out the window, and is at most cleanser and SPF50, perhaps something regeneration at night. One of the risks with a full TCA is killing of pigmentation producing cells, and I have been hesitant about that. What do you do when you are in the sun all day? Caps, gloves and SPF∞ ?
I am an olive skin tone. I run outside in 70+ weather daily. I lather my hands in sunscreen just as I do my face neck and decollete. I do wear a hat when I run too, which helps. If I get any color it is on my decollete. I think that is just from sweating off the suncreen to be honest.

I haven't had a problem since doing the TCA peels on my hands. I have been doing TCA peels on my face for a few years. This year was the first time I have used it on my hands. Doing it made a huge difference. I will definitely do it again.
Perhaps I will order a few tubes with retinoids and see what happens. If I do a full TCA peel and stick to retinoic acid I will get the complection of Nicole Kidman it no time, at least the colour. I don't know if that is a good look for a guy. I tan a bit naturally, even if I never get as dark as others.
I realize that this thread is old. But I'm 34 and I have a few small age spots on my hands. If I were to do a TCA peel would I just apply it to the spots? Or the whole hands? Where can I find more info? I also have one age spot on my face that I'd like to treat. What would the best treatment for a spot on the face? I'm getting ready to place an order so if there is a recipe or something I should look at I'd love to know. Thanks!
I realize that this thread is old.  But I'm 34 and I have a few small age spots on my hands.  If I were to do a TCA peel would I just apply it to the spots?  Or the whole hands?  Where can I find more info?  I also have one age spot on my face that I'd like to treat.  What would the best treatment for a spot on the face?  I'm getting ready to place an order so if there is a recipe or something I should look at I'd love to know.  Thanks!  
You could totally spot treat your hand with TCA. Just understand that TCA on your hands is much different then when applied to your face. It will take a while for your hands to peel. And it may be a stop and go process. Start peeling then stop for a while then start again. Just be sure you use a good sunscreen at all times! For the spot on your face you could try using Vit C serum and see if you can get it to lighten with that. If not, you could also spot treat the area with TCA. Start with a low % 12.5% to spot treat the area then move up from there if need be. Just remember it all will take time, so don't expect it to disappear quickly.
I would like to share a DIY niacinamide and licorice root extraxt lotion i made that works well with sun spots and has faded some of my acne scars too. Both niacinamide and licorice root extract have good brightening and antiinflammatory properties. I only apply to the parts of my face where i had acne and my sunspots so my batch is small but you can always double or triple the size. I have all the calculations done out in easy teaspoon measurments!

This formula is a 5% niacinamide and 5% licorice root extract lotion. You can also use an online batch calculator to make larger amounts of the final lotion. Just use the SCT search bar and type in batch calculator.

The percentages of 5% of each active is high enough so i wouldnt increase the concentration. Just the batch size if you wish,NOTE: i did not use any preservative because i make a new small batch every week or so. You may want to add in a few drops if you want.

1/3 teaspoon of niacinamide/b3 (powder form)
1/4 teaspoon of licorice root extract ( liquid form)
4 1/2 teaspoons of jergens (base lotion)

These actives are water soluable and the jergens is water based so it works well. I also bought my niacinamide/b3 and licorice root extract at lotioncrafters, and i apply every night! Likas papaya is also supposed to work for acne scars! Hope you find some luck with this lotion! give it a try and let me know if you like it :). I've seen great improvements
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