Fade Face Sunspots: What Works, What Doesn't

MoleMap Team

August 20, 2023

8 minutes

Learn about the most effective treatments for facial sunspots and discover why some treatments may not give you the results you’re hoping for.

Like forehead wrinkles and laughter lines, sunspots on the face are simply part of the natural ageing process. And if you’ve spent a lot of time outdoors and in the sun, you may notice more and more of these small brown spots appearing on your face as you get older.

While they are mostly harmless, there’s no doubt sun spots on the face can be bothersome. These little dark areas of hyperpigmentation are very common and may leave you feeling self-conscious about your appearance. If you’re wondering how to get rid of sunspots on your face, the good news is that there are a few treatments available to help reduce and fade them.

In this article, we explore the most effective treatments for sunspots on the face. We also take a look at some of the treatments that claim to remove sunspots but may not actually help you achieve the results you’d hoped for.

But before diving into any facial sunspots treatments, there are a few important steps to take:

Get your spots professionally checked
First things first: you must confirm whether the spots on your face are actually sunspots and not skin cancer or melanoma. It can be very tricky to tell the difference between sunspots and skin cancer, which is why it’s essential to book in a skin check or a mole check and have any skin spots (including sunspots) assessed by a professional at MoleMap australia skin cancer clinic. Once you know the sunspots on your face aren’t something more serious, you can begin looking into treatment options under the guidance of a dermatologist.

See a dermatologist
Don’t try to treat your facial sunspots without the help of a professional. A dermatologist will be able to assess your skin type and your sunspots, and tailor the best treatment plan to suit your needs. Everyone’s skin is different and a personalised approach to sunspot removal is the most effective way to achieve your desired outcome.

Get strict about sun safety
If you don’t protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen and sun protective clothing, your facial sunspots will almost certainly return after treatment. Sun safety is also the best way to prevent more sunspots from forming on your face in future.

Do you want to read this article later?

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The most effective treatments for sunspots on face

Treatments that may not be effective for sunspots on face

What causes sunspots on face?

Can sunspots on the face lead to skin cancer?

How can you tell if it’s a sunspot or something more?

10.

The most effective treatments for sunspots on face

Laser treatment

Laser treatment or light therapy is considered to be the most effective treatment for sunspots on face, helping to fade or completely eliminate them. In this treatment, a laser is used to target the hyperpigmented area of the sunspot and destroy the pigment-producing cells without damaging the surrounding skin. This type of pigmentation treatment is typically delivered over a number of sessions, spread out over a number of weeks.

While it’s perfectly fine to use laser treatment for sunspots on face, lasers should never be used on moles or potentially cancerous spots. This is why you should always see a dermatologist or melanographer before committing to laser treatment so they can correctly diagnose your sunspots and determine whether it is right for you.

Skin peels

Skin peels can help to improve the appearance of sunspots on the face by using chemical agents that work to remove pigment or melanin. During this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the facial skin which peels away the outer or top layer of the skin. New, smoother skin then forms during the healing process. But keep in mind you may need to have several treatments before you see results.

It’s important to note that this type of treatment can come with some uncomfortable side effects, including redness, swelling, scaling and blisters. You are also required to avoid any sun exposure for several months after a skin peel procedure. It’s recommended that you only receive a chemical skin peel under the guidance of your dermatologist, who can personalise your treatment to suit your skin type and help you manage the side effects.

Treatments that may not be effective for sunspots on face

Cryotherapy

While cryotherapy can be used for sunspot removal, it may not be the best type of treatment for your face. This is because it can leave scarring and cause or worsen pigmentation. It’s likely you’re looking to fade the sunspots on your face for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons, so other treatments may be better suited for this outcome.

Over-the-counter creams and serums

In the wide world of skincare, there are many products that claim to help reduce pigmentation and even some that are marketed as ‘sunspot treatment cream’. But buyer beware — at this stage, there is no research to support the efficacy of creams and serums in fading or reducing sunspots.

While OTC creams and and serums alone are not effective, they can be beneficial when used in combination with other treatments like laser treatment. Your dermatologist will be able to recommend the best combination approach for the treatment of your sunspots.

Natural alternatives

Here’s the bottom line: No natural treatments or products have been found to be effective for treating facial sunspots in any current research. If you’re seeking a natural, non-invasive treatment for sunspots on the face, the best approach is prevention. This means using sunscreen on your face everyday and wearing sun protective clothing, including a UPF 50+ hat and 100% UVA/UVB protection sunglasses whenever you’re outdoors.

What's my skin cancer risk?

Answer six simple questions (takes less than 1 minute) to discover your risk and the right skin check for you.

Check my risk

What causes sunspots on face?

Facial sunspots, also known as age spots, liver spots or solar lentigine, are caused by years of exposure to the sun. Prolonged UV exposure prompts the pigment-producing cells in your skin (known as melanocytes) to produce excess pigment in a small area, creating the brown flat mark you see on your skin.

Can sunspots on the face lead to skin cancer?

Sunspots on the face are typically considered as benign, meaning they are not likely to become cancerous. However, it’s important to remain vigilant about all spots on your skin, including sunspots, and have them checked regularly by a professional.

Sunspots develop due to a lifetime of sun exposure. This means that if you have sunspots, your skin has experienced prolonged UV exposure which puts you at higher risk of developing skin cancer.

How can you tell if it’s a sunspot or something more?

The truth is: you can’t — but your dermatologist or melanographer can. Early stage skin cancer or melanoma can also look very similar to a harmless sunspot, making it near impossible for the untrained eye to discern between the two.

Before starting any cosmetic or aesthetic treatment to fade your facial sunspots, be sure to have your spots checked by a dermatologist or melanographer. They will be able to confirm the spots you’re concerned about are in fact sunspots and not something more suspicious that could require alternative (and perhaps urgent) treatment.

And remember, if you notice any new or changing sunspots on your face, book in a skin check or Full Body MoleMap as soon as possible.

MoleMap Team

At MoleMap we check, detect and treat skin cancer. Find out how you can protect your skin at your nearest MoleMap skin cancer clinic.

How to fade sunspots on your face: what works and what doesn’t

Learn about the most effective treatments for facial sunspots and discover why some treatments may not give you the results you’re hoping for.