Age spots, also called liver spots or solar lentigines, don't always arrive with age alone. They sneak up quietly, often on the hands, face, shoulders, or forearms, and can go from barely-there to impossible-to-ignore before you even realise it.
What’s actually happening under the surface is more than just “too much sun”. Chronic UV exposure is the biggest trigger, but it’s also a mix of slowed skin cell turnover, deeper structural changes, and how your skin processes melanin over time.
In this guide, we’ll walk through why age spots show up when they do, what makes them darker or more stubborn than a freckle, and what actually helps to fade them
What Causes Age Spots?
Age spots don’t appear overnight, rather they’re a slow build-up of damage and changes happening beneath your skin’s surface that silently accumulate over time.
Here are some possible causes:
Chronic sun exposure
This is the most widely known cause. Over time, UV rays from the sun damage the skin’s natural defense systems and stimulate pigment cells (melanocytes) to overproduce melanin. This results in patches of uneven pigmentation that linger and intensify without proper protection.
Chronic UV exposure can also trigger structural changes in the skin and affect its regenerative capabilities. This results in melanin getting trapped in the skin due to slowed cell turnover, not just increased production.
Impaired skin cell turnover
Healthy skin regularly sheds old cells and makes way for new ones. But as we age, this renewal process slows down. In age spots or sun spots. Basal skin cells (cells at the bottom of the epidermis) start multiplying faster, while the upper layers (suprabasal keratinocytes) don’t shed efficiently.
This imbalance leads to a thickening in the lower layers of the skin, particularly in areas known as rete ridges. It basically makes it harder for pigment (melanin) to rise and be naturally cleared, forcing stubborn discoloured patches of skin.
Genetics
Genetics may also influence how your skin responds to UV damage over time, and who’s more likely to develop pigmentation changes like sun spots.
Some individuals are simply more predisposed to sun damage as a result of genetics. One of the key genes involved is called MC1R. This gene controls the type and amount of melanin your skin produces—the pigment that gives your skin colour and helps protect it from UV rays. Variants of the MC1R gene are especially common in people with red or fair hair, lighter eyes, and freckle-prone skin, and they’re also more likely to burn instead of tan.
DNA repair and inflammation also affect how the skin recovers after sun damage. So if your skin doesn’t repair itself efficiently after UV exposure, pigment can build up and show later in life as uneven dark spots.
How to Prevent and Manage Age Spots
Whether you’re trying to stop new age spots from forming or hoping to fade the ones already showing up, here are a few targeted strategies that might help:
- Prioritise daily sun protection: The number one rule? SPF, always. Age spots are most strongly linked to cumulative sun damage, so limiting UV exposure is your best defence. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily, even when it’s cloudy. And don’t forget spots like the back of your hands, chest, and neck. Reapply every 2 hours if you’re outdoors and wear sun protection clothing. Seek shade between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Use targeted topicals: Ingredients like Vitamin C can help fade pigmentation by inhibiting the enzyme behind melanin production and neutralising oxidative stress.
- Gentle exfoliation: Mild exfoliation supports healthy cell turnover, which may lift the pigment from the skin’s surface. Go for Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peels with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like lactic or glycolic acid—but don’t overdo it. Over-exfoliating can backfire and increase sensitivity or inflammation, especially on mature skin.
Professional Treatments for Age Spots
Professional treatments are designed to speed up your skin’s natural repair mechanisms, target stubborn melanin, and reveal clearer, more even-toned skin. At Laser Clinics Australia, we have targeted professional treatments aimed at visibly reducing age spots and improving overall skin clarity:
- Melanopro Peel: This intensive resurfacing treatment works on multiple levels to address stubborn pigmentation. It combines depigmenting agents and exfoliants to reduce excess melanin while stimulating cell renewal. It’s ideal for age spots that haven’t responded to standard topicals and works best when paired with post-treatment maintenance.
- Laser Pigmentation Removal: This treatment involves targeted laser energy to break down unwanted pigment without affecting the surrounding skin. It heats and shatters the pigment in age spots so it can rise to the skin’s surface and naturally fade.
- Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peels: These speed up your skin’s natural exfoliation process. At Laser Clinics Australia, we have a range of peels that lifts away dull, pigmented surface cells and encourages fresh, even-toned skin to emerge. With consistency, these peels can visibly fade sun spots and help restore a more uniform complexion.
- BBL Hero Forever Flawless: Forever Flawless by BBL Hero targets age spots by delivering heat to break down excess melanin in the skin. It also improves skin tone, clarity, and texture while boosting collagen production. Most clients need 3–4 sessions, with maintenance treatments twice a year.
- For brightening support: AquaFacial: A deeply hydrating and brightening facial that cleanses, exfoliates and infuses the skin with hydrating serums. It’s an ideal follow-up to professional treatments like BBL Hero Forever Flawless
If you’re noticing age spots that won’t budge—or you’re just ready for clearer, more even-toned skin—it might be time to go beyond skincare. A personalised skin consultation at Laser Clinics Australia can help you figure out what your skin needs, whether that’s a targeted peel, brightening facial, or a longer-term treatment plan. Book your consultation today and get smooth, even-toned skin with science-backed treatments.
