You're not as young as you once were, but that doesn't mean your face needs to reveal your age! If you're developing age spots on your face and don't want to have to smear on a thick layer of foundation each morning to hide them, there are a few professional dermatological treatments you may want to look into.

Professional Microdermabrasion

If you want to fade your age spots without any pain or invasive measures, microdermabrasion may be a good choice. This is a non-invasive treatment in which a special sanding tool is used to buff away the outer layer of your skin. The discomfort following treatment is only minimal. You may have a little redness and peeling, but you shouldn't have to take any time off from work, and there's no risk of scarring. As the older, outer skin is peeled away, newer, fresher skin is revealed. Not only will your age spots be less obvious, but your skin may appear tighter and less wrinkled. However, you will need to undergo regular treatments every couple of weeks to maintain your new look.

Laser Treatment

If you'd rather undergo one treatment and then be finished, laser treatment is an option to consider. Your dermatologist will focus the laser on the age spots only. The older, outer skin layers are "killed," leaving the area to scab over. Once the scab peels away over the course of the following weeks, the skin it reveals should be spot-free. There is a risk of pain, swelling, bleeding, and infection, but working with an experienced dermatologist will minimize your risk. Healing takes 10 to 21 days, and you will need to use oil-free makeup only for at least two months after the procedure.

Chemical Peels

If you have very fair skin and your age spots are widespread, your doctor may recommend a chemical peel rather than laser treatment. The results are long-lasting, with most patients requiring treatment every 6 to 12 months. A special solution will be applied to your face. It will remove the outer layer of skin, revealing the newer, less-spotty skin beneath it. There's a risk of cold sores being reactivated and or of a permanent change in skin tone, but most patients tolerate the treatment well. Your face will be bandaged for a few days after treatment, and you'll have redness and scaling for a week or two after treatment.

To learn more about these treatments, speak with a dermatologist at a location like Greater Des Moines Dermatology, P.C.