Anyone discovered a dark spot treatment

[MrsHf]

I have a sun spot on my face that’s just never faded no matter what I’ve used. Has anyone had success with fading a specific dark spot rather than just improving look of overall skin? Tried googling but it just seems to be all adverts for products rather than specific advice.

I've tried all sorts of things and they don't work from beauty products to home remedies. The only thing I've not tried is cryogenic stuff that I used to get rid of my skin tags but don't think I want to risk at home treatment using this. I think a private dermatologist is going to be the way to go. Do you have "age spots" (solar lentigo or I think is the technical name for them)?

@CherryRipe1 That’s what I thought, but was hoping someone had a secret miracle cure! I’ve looked at lasers as well which seem to work well but are so expensive and probably very painful! It’s more like sun damage I think, I’ve had one on my cheek since I was about 23 when I was sunbathing a lot (and using sunbeds) and not using any spf! Have seen the error of my ways the last few years and wear spf 50 every day but this one spot never seems to fade. Have tried prescription strength creams but am limited to what I can use as I’ve been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last 5 years.

Sadly I don't think there is a miracle cure apart from expensive surgery. Out of interest, can you remember how much the laser treatment was? Mines on the cheek too, on the bone and quite noticeable and I'm fed up with covering it in concealer and foundation. I think I'm just a bit nervous of a botched job but time to bite the bullet and have it removed.

Sadly I don't think there is a miracle cure apart from expensive surgery. Out of interest, can you remember how much the laser treatment was? Mines on the cheek too, on the bone and quite noticeable and I'm fed up with covering it in concealer and foundation. I think I'm just a bit nervous of a botched job but time to bite the bullet and have it removed.

Yes! Creightons Salicylic Acid, cost about £3 from Amazon, I think I read about it on here. It took about 6 months, dedicated morning and evening application!

I found Carbon Theory products do it - accidentally. They have an orange soap (a bit drying but half a bar if soap did the trick) and the pink toner. I had quite a thick dark spot above my eyebrow; I could almost see its layers. Gone. Beforehand I bought 2-3 pumps of Clinique's dry spot treatment and that was the biggest waste of money. Carbon Theory products are tuppence in comparison.

@Carriedoesntlivehereanymore Amazing, thanks. Is it this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creightons-Salicylic-Acid-Intense-Serum/dp/B08V7P6R7R?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1 ?

I’ve been using this which has helped one spot a lot

www.superdrug.com/skin/face-skin-care/face-serums/me-niacinamide-zinc-booster-30ml/p/783622?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADp4mz-f6nb_PgSN1o0MRbnxIK8dk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-sWJ4ueCiwMVw5NQBh28oxUbEAQYASABEgL-xvD_BwE

Yes, mrsHF, that’s it.

This Oskia serum completely cleared up some pigmentation issues I had after pregnancy. It is expensive but worked brilliantly https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/serums/renaissance-brightlight-intensive-pigmentation-dark-spot-serum-UK200017063.html?istCompanyId=0e8ad2cd-a29f-4f10-aa02-bfe7beec114f&istFeedId=4dabe32f-dcf8-4bb2-893d-2b02fd2dd75d&istItemId=rptpqixaq&istBid=t&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=ppc&utmcampaign=snk-uk-shopping&utmmterm=alwayson-all-mixed&utmcontent=mixed-restofdesigners-static&gaddsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi6L-lOqCiwMVtJZQBh08hgwQEAQYCiABEgJjrPDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yes! I used a Dermatica formulation containing Hydroquinone which completely cleared up two large sun spots on my face. It took about four months and did case some redness and peeling which wasn't that pretty but it was worth it! Will try to upload a before and after photo - not done that before so hopefully it will work!

@CherryRipe1 the laser treatment was Fraxel and about £1000-£1500 for a single treatment!!

Wow thanks everyone for those recommendations will definitely be doing a bit of online shopping now and experimenting with those products. If I remember to I’ll update here with any success in a few months 👍

Bio oil got rid of mine after using it twice daily for about 4 months

@Tweeti wow that looks amazing! I’ve tried dermatica before but had one of the pregnancy safe formulas so don’t think it was strong enough to work on mine. Might give the Hydroquinone one a go seeing your results! Thanks

Hydroquinone 2-4% with tretinoin 0.025%. Anything else won't be strong enough to fade them topically. Dermatica are good for prescription skincare. I've got Monderma and am working up to 0.1% tret, which is the highest strength. You only need to use hydroquinone for 3-4 months to work.

Yikes!! Thank you. I might test out the other suggestions on here first using the age spot on my hand as a guinea pig and report back.

Yeah lazer would be your best bet.
If
You used sunbeds, please keep an eye on any changes in moles

I've had BBL and Moxi (combo treatment) which is good for sun spots and pigmentation. I didn't have lots but I've seen photos of the results and they look very good.

IPL is said to be the best laser for hyperpigmentation and melasma, but is it painful and requires 4-6 sessions?

Trichloroacetic acid chemical peels are effective for dark spots as well if you can tolerate the downtime. You need 5-6 sessions about a month apart. It makes you very red for 2-3 days afterwards with peeling starting around day 5. It's particularly good if you want to do your neck, chest and hands too. I think it's even possible to do arms and legs, although you would most likely use a laser if it were all over. Tretinoin and hydroquinone cream are effective for a quick win on the face.

IPL is not particularly sore. Feels like an elastic band pinging. Plus it's localised so you could put Emla cream on 30 mins before the appointment to numb the skin.

I would recommend an aesthetician who can do ipl and peels. But very carefully and you must wear sunblock over the treated area after.

Do you not feel it at all with Emla cream applied?

I had a small patch of pigment (about 5p size) - sun spot/ age spot at the side of my face. Fair skinned and felt it was so visible, tret hadn’t done much and it was getting more noticeable with each summer, despite not being a sun worshipper and wearing SPF50.
I ended up booking a cryotherapy pen treatment on a whim for £50 for a one off treatment at a local aesthetics clinic. TBH I think it’s probably the largest size they would treat and I was left with a horrible blistered scab for a few weeks which in turn left fresh pink skin for a few months. I was horrified and kicking myself for doing the treatment…. However it’s been fantastic and the new skin has no sign of the pigmentation, but, it was a long process to heal the skin.
Picture collage attached from pre treatment to post 3 months. I’m about 8 months out now and it’s completely shifted. So happy but it was a gamble.

Hi rumanah indeed not. It is topical anaesthetic. On a small area such as sun spot you could stick a needle in and not feel it.

I use it when I'm getting micro needling done. No idea why everyone doesn't use it more. For getting eyebrows waxed etc. I guarantee you if men were getting these treatments they wouldn't be expecting to put up with pain unnecessarily

I'm currently 48 hours post cryotherapy treatment for dark spots on my face and hands. I had it done by a dermatologist.

Right now I've got lots of little blisters on my hands and the dark spots on my face are now much darker and slightly raised. I have to go to a conference next week for work so I'm hoping that by the time I've given the blisters a week to heal they'll be coverable with makeup.