Age spots (also known as liver spots or solar lentigo) are brown, usually harmless discolourations of the skin caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to sunlight. They are most common in people over the age of 40 and usually appear on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neckline, arms, shoulders and hands.
Although generally benign, brown spots are considered unsightly and tend to make the skin look older. Not great if you want to look and feel as young as possible.
What causes brown spots
Although brown spots have been linked to age, many factors can cause hyperpigmentation of the skin, the most important being repeated exposure to solar ultraviolet rays. They may also be caused by certain drugs such as oral contraceptives and may be associated with hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy or menopause. Spots may also be the result of skin inflammation caused by injury, acne or a variety of other health problems.
All of these factors can increase the production of melanin, the brown pigment that gives spots their colour. It is the increased stimulation of the cells producing melanin that promotes skin discolouration.
Helpful advice
The first and best way to decrease the chance of developing age spots is to get in the habit of limiting your exposure to the sun and using an effective sunscreen whenever you do go out. Age spots develop after years of exposure, so be diligent about protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays today if you want to prevent their future formation.
Fortunately, great innovations have emerged from scientific research on the reduction of age spots. Reversa offers a variety of products that will help you visibly reduce the appearance of these unwanted spots and restore a uniform complexion. Their action is based on the exfoliating and anti-aging effect of glycolic acid, on various plant extracts that inhibit tyrosinase enzyme, as well as on the antioxidant, brightening and unifying action of vitamin C.
In addition to fading hyperpigmentation, Reversa anti-spot day and night products soften the skin and improve its hydration. Used together, they help even out the complexion more quickly and reduce the appearance of other signs of aging.
Results
How quickly Reversa products reduce the appearance of brown spots is partly related to the amount of time it takes for your skin cells to regenerate. A minimum of four to six weeks is usually required for pigmented cells from the lowest levels of the epidermis to be pushed toward the surface of the skin and eliminated by exfoliation. That’s a realistic amount of time to expect before results become noticeable, provided you’ve used the Reversa products on a daily basis and diligently protected your skin from the sun.
It’s important to take note that some spots may be more difficult to attenuate and may require a longer period of product application. More aggressive methods—such as prescription medication or laser treatments—may also be required, as in the case of old and deep discolorations, or those that have appeared following inflammation of the skin.
(Original version published on November 29, 2019. Revised on June 4, 2020.)