Liver Spot Removal

Liver Spots; Removal and Treatment

Liver spots can be treated with, acids, skin sanding, cryo-treatments (freezing), electric needles and other techniques for removing the first few layers of skin.  Removing the first few outer layers of skin can leave white spots on the skin and sometimes scars.  Lasers claim to be more discriminating and cause less damage to surrounding skin because the laser light is used to remove the pigment without damaging the normal skin around the area of damage.

Bleaching Solutions

Topical solutions, or bleaching solutions such as hydroquinone can be used for liver spot removal for people with light skin.  Hydroquinone has been known to cause irritation and reddening of  the skin, and more recently has been linked to cancer and mutagenisis. The fact that hydroquinone  irratates and is perhaps carcinogenic makes it undesirable for darker skin.

The irritation associated with hydroquinone can overstimulate melanocytes which are found in more abundance in dark skin types.

Overstimulation of melanocytes can produce hyperpigmentation (or dark spotting on the surface of the skin). Topical bleaching creams and bleaching solutions function by stopping the melanin in areas that are hyperpigmented. By consistently slowing the production of melanin, fading of spots will become possible.  By only reducing the production of melanin the solution will not change the skin’s natural color.  In other words, the skin outside of the liver spot will not be lightened beyond it’s natural genetically predetermined color.

Hydroquinone

When a  formula with hydroquinone is applied,  it is important that the treated skin area is totally protected from the exposure to UV. The sun, or more specifically sunlight exposure will actually damage the efficacy or the hydroquinone and render it useless. For this reason it is critical that one utilizes a sunblock at all times.

For people with dark skin, something besides hydroquinone, like kojic acid is often used. Alternative creams and topical treatments often use of mandelic acid and vitamin C. These products encourage fading the spots, and using mandelic acid and/or kojic acid can minimize irritation during liver spot removal.

Kojic Acid

Kojic Acid, a popular skincare supplement, is a newly discovered, successful treatment of liver spots and other skin and pigment problems. Kojic is not an alpha hydroxy acid.  Instead it functions via the same mechanism of action as Hydroquinone. Kojic acid comes from a variety of fungi and other organic substances — like soy and mushrooms. Research demonstrates that Kojic Acid can be an effective lightening agent.  It inhibits the production of brown pigment in the skin called melanin. In addition, there is less chance of oxidation which makes it more stable and results in a longer half life and longer shelf life stable product, resulting in a longer shelf life for the product.

Removal of Liver Spots

The newest treatment for liver spot removal is an alpha hydroxy acid gel and beta hydroxy acid gel. The cream or gel can be rubbed on the liver spots every night. Applying the gel will brighten, or lighten discoloration on the skin like liverspots, age spots, solar lentigenes, sun spots,  freckles, malasma, and pigmentation that often happens during pregnancy or from hormonal changes brought about from the use of birth control or oral contraceptives.

An alternative treatment for liver spots is a cream or gel infused with Retin-A. To be efffective, the gel needs to be applied to spots every day for half a year. Retin A will promote the lightening of large liver spots and can even make some of the smaller spots disappear entirely.

Liver Spot Chemical Peels

Liver spots can be treated with alpha hydroxyacid peels. Chemical peels are applying a mild acid to the skin – in an attempt to remove the top few layers of skin – and in turn waiting for the skin to heal. Chemical peels function better when used on fair skin — people with blonde, red, or light hair and pale or blue eyes. A fast way to get rid of liver spots, they can also create quite a bit of damage to otherwise healthy skin.

Liver Spot Removal with Cryosurgery

One of the faster ways to get rid of liver spots is liquid nitrogen therapy.  Liquid nitrogen is nitrogen under pressure and chilled to the point of turning into liquid.  N2 is in liquid form at -321ºF.  A dermatologist, doctor, or esthetician can deliver the liquid nitrogen onto a liver spot or age spot and it makes the blemish turn white four weeks after treatment of the mark.  However, there is a danger of damage to the skin as well.  When liquid nitrogen is put directly on the skin,  it can leave behind a scar or permanent white spot where it was sprayed. Along with scarring and white spots the application can be slightly painful and patients can experience a stinging sensation when the liver spot is treated.