I'm not even 40 years old yet, and I'm starting to get spots on my face. What should I do?

Developing age spots on your face before 40 can indeed be troubling, especially given the cultural value placed on clear, spot-free skin, as exemplified by the Chinese saying "a fair complexion hides a thousand flaws." As you age, various types of pigmentation might appear on your skin. Some of these are superficial, like freckles or early senile lentigines, while others, such as melasma or acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules, are deeper within the skin. The shape of these spots can also vary, with some being small or patchy, like freckles and age spots, and others forming larger, more irregular patches with blurry edges, like melasma.

Different types of pigmentation have different causes and require distinct treatment approaches. It's also common for middle-aged and older women to have more than one type of facial pigmentation, which needs to be treated in a specific order to avoid exacerbating the conditions. Therefore, your first step should be to visit a dermatologist or a skin clinic to accurately diagnose the type or types of pigmentation you have. After diagnosis, your doctor can design a comprehensive treatment plan tailored specifically for your skin condition.

Here are some general recommendations for managing and treating age spots and other types of facial pigmentation:

1. Professional Diagnosis: Since different types of pigmentation require different treatments, a professional diagnosis is crucial.

2. Sun Protection: Protecting your skin from further sun exposure is essential. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, and consider wearing hats and protective clothing when outdoors.

3. Topical Treatments: Depending on the diagnosis, your dermatologist might recommend topical creams containing ingredients like hydroquinone, azelaic acid, or retinoids, which can help lighten hyperpigmentation.

4. Laser and Light Treatments: Procedures such as laser therapy or intense pulsed light (IPL) can be effective for deeper pigmentation and are commonly used to target specific types of spots.

5. Chemical Peels: Chemical peels can help in rejuvenating the skin and reducing superficial pigmentation by removing the outermost layers of the skin.

6. Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Eating a diet high in antioxidants can help combat skin damage and support overall skin health.

By understanding the specific types and causes of your facial pigmentation, and by following a targeted treatment plan, you can effectively manage and potentially reduce the appearance of these spots.

Source: I'm not even 40 years old yet, and I'm starting to get spots on my face. What should I do?