What Are Sunspots And What Can You Do About Them?

As we age, our body changes in all kinds of ways. Although our society is continuously moving towards a more body-positive framework, learning to embrace aging is an ongoing process - sometimes liberating and sometimes challenging at times. One of the more visible aspects of the aging process is the development of sunspots, which are sometimes referred to as liver spots or age spots (although they are the exact same thing). So, what are sunspots and what can you do about them? We’ll explain.

Our skin contains a substance called melanin, which is what is responsible for giving your skin pigmentation. When your skin is exposed to UV rays, your skin produces an abundance of melanin as a way to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. When you tan, this is what is happening to your skin. However, as you age and you continuously expose your skin to UV rays, melanin will start to build up in patches on your skin as a way to deal with the repeated exposure of the sun. This is how sunspots form. The more your skin is exposed to the sun and UV rays, the more likely you are to develop sunspots. Additionally, sunspots typically start to appear on individuals over 40, however, can appear on younger individuals depending on their level of repeated sun exposure. Sunspots are not just contained to your face. They are often visible on your shoulders, hands and arms as well (because these are the other most commonly exposed places where sun damage typically occurs).

An example of what an age/sun/liver spot looks like on a face.

So, what can you do about them? In this particular instance, a proactive approach is always better than a reactive approach. There are many simple adjustments you can make in your day-to-day life to help prevent sun damage and the formation of sun spots including, wearing protective clothing, staying out of the sun during peak hours, and most importantly, wearing a powerful sunscreen every single day.

However, if you’re already beginning to notice sun spots forming on your face, we’re here to help! First, it’s still important to incorporate the healthy habits we mentioned above into your daily routine to help to prevent further damage from occurring in the years to come. Second, maintaining a consistent skincare routine is one of the most effective ways to heal and reverse the appearance of sunspots. Look for products that contain powerful and beneficial ingredients like our Complete Skincare System.

Many of the ingredients that we use in our skincare line contain antioxidants. Antioxidants help to prevent the effects of sun damage by interacting with, and disrupting the chain reactions caused by free radicals (what causes your cells to breakdown). Additionally, all of our products contain breadfruit, which is a powerhouse ingredient that helps to protect and prevent aging skin. Not only is breadfruit an antioxidant, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-acne properties, anti-rosacea properties, and also contains a key compound that reverses and prevents age spots, sun spots and pigmentation from scarring.

So, whether you’re looking to start preventative measures now, or you’re looking to combat some of the sun spots that have already popped up on your body, hopefully you can use some of these helpful tips to prevent and treat sun spots!

Note: if you notice your sunspots change in appearance please consult your doctor.