Natural treatments

There are some natural remedies that can alleviate melasma or treat age spots naturally. Their action is far from radical and the results obtained may be slight. Lemon is famous for its lightening properties due to its high vitamin C content, it is possible to apply lemon juice on the spots. Essential oils like carrot or geranium can be diluted in vegetable oil and applied to the face to reduce dark spots on the epidermis. Apple cider vinegar is useful for balancing the pH of the epidermis, it evens out the complexion by eliminating dead cells and stimulating cell renewal. Medical treatments, laser sessions or the use of cosmetics may be more effective solutions.

Surgery

Cryotherapy is the most accessible anti-brown spot technique, the spots are burned by the application of cold liquid nitrogen. This technique is recommended for fair skin with well defined dark spots.

Pigment laser is a beam of light that targets melanin stored in pigmented lesions. Age spots, melasma, freckles can be treated.

The flash lamp is another alternative to target pigmented spots and activate the cell regeneration process.

Peeling is a technique indicated in the treatment of melasma, pregnancy mask, post-inflammatory pigmentations or pigmented spots that resist other treatments. The depigmenting peel uses acids: a mask soaked in active ingredients is placed on the face and regulates the production of melanin. The skin is exfoliated thanks to the chemical agent which burns the dark spots.

Dermabrasion is another solution which consists of sanding the skin to destroy the top layer of the epidermis, the skin covering is removed as well as the dark spots. This method is quite aggressive on the skin and is not recommended for thin skin.

Kligman’s Trio

This preparation, in the form of an ointment, composed of hydroquinone, corticosteroid and retinoic acid can act on melasma or in the case of post-inflammatory spots. Kligman’s Trio brightens the skin, offers anti-inflammatory action and accelerates skin cell renewal. An effective solution to reduce the size and intensity of dark spots on the skin. This preparation is nevertheless prescribed by prescription by a doctor and prepared by a pharmacist.

Creams and cosmetics

Depigmenting creams make the spots paler and less visible. Some contain plant extracts. Vitamins C, AHA (fruit acids), azelaic acid or kojic acid are the most common active ingredients capable of acting on the pigmentation of the skin, they are frequently found in anti-dark spot creams. There are other creams based on hydroquinone, salicylic acid, tretinoin, not all of them are authorized in France and most are only available on prescription. Sensitive skin cannot always tolerate these creams which can cause skin dryness, irritation or itching.