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Is There a Body Cream I Can Use for Age Spots on my Arms and Legs?

I have too many to spot treat. It would be nice to use a cream for the whole body to fade the spots. I am 53 and have no age spots on my face at all. I have used a retinol cream on my face for 20 years.

Doctor Answers 4

Treatment for Age Spots on the Body?

December 30th, 2010
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Hi RLA.  If the spots you see are truly solar lentigines, sun spots, then there is no better treatment than q-switched Nd:Yg laser treatments.

The reason we are big proponents of q-switched lasers over creams is that a hydroquionone based cream might be able to hide the spots, but this laser will be able to permanently remove them.  In addition, based on an FDA alert, we do not recommend that our patients use hydroquinone based products for more than 90 days straight.  

First step would be to go to your GP or dermatologist to have these spots identified and then from there if they are sunspots, find a qualified and experienced laser practitioner close by that uses these lasers.  Good luck.

Web reference: http://www.celibre.com/sunspots.aspx

Harold J. Kaplan, MD


Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

Cream For Age Spots on Arms and Legs

April 7th, 2012
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There are some creams that contain hydroquinone which helps to gradually fade age spots. Because hydroquinone can have toxic effects, the FDA has imposed a three month limit on its continuous use. Other countries have banned its inclusion in OTC products altogether.

Laser treatments are much safer and give faster results. The laser energy works by penetrating the skin to break up the melanin pigment. Depending on what wavelength is used, lasers are also capable of breaking up the microscopic structures within the skin that contains the melanin.

 


 

Web reference: http://www.finetouchdermatology.com/los-angeles-age-spot-treatment/

Sanusi Umar, MD

Sanusi Umar, MD
Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 30 reviews

Treatment for age spots on the arms and legs

April 16th, 2011
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One of the most effective ways to reverse sunspots due to the effects of chronic sun damage to your skin is by using a combination of two prescription strength medications: 4% hydroquinone and tretinoin cream. Prescription strength 4% hydroquinone is better than any OTC product for lightening dark spots in the skin. These dark spots are typically due to chronic sun damage so daily use of sunscreens is essential in your treatment. Combining prescription-only tretinoin cream with hydroquinone will make it even more effective. By the way, Tretinoin cream has been proven to be much more effective than it's OTC counterpart, Retinol cream, that you have used for the past 20 years.  I recommend the Obagi Nu-Derm System which uses both tretinoin cream and hydroquinone to visibly lighten age spots as well as the fine lines and wrinkles that are due to chronic sun exposure.

 

Web reference: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/cosmetic-dermatology/obagi-medical-systems/

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

Creams to decrease arm and leg brown spots

May 6th, 2014
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There are prescription and non-prescription topical creams to decrease brown spots.  Some of the products include, Kjoic acid and hydroquinone.
Craig Mezrow, MS, MD, FACS

Craig Mezrow, MS, MD, FACS
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 15 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.