Tips to Cover Sunspots

Over time, sun exposure causes flat brown, gray or black spots to appear on your skin. These spots, alternatively called liver spots, sun spots, age spots or solar lentigines, cause no harm but can look unsightly. Sun spots most often affect people over age 40, according to MayoClinic.com, but can appear at any age. Medicated creams available over-the-counter or by prescription can help remove them or cause them to fade and become less noticeable.

Concealing Creams

• Creams that hide sunspots under a layer of concealer work well on the face, but may be a nuisance to apply to the arms, especially if you have numerous spots. Use a peach-toned concealer under foundation for best results, the Good Housekeeping website suggests, since peach tones help cancel out brown. Use a light touch when applying the concealer.

Fade Creams

• You can buy creams containing several types of medication useful for fading sun spots. Over-the-counter creams containing hydroquinone, deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid or kojic acid will give the best results, according to MayoClinic.com. Apply according to the manufacturer's directions. Topical steroid creams can lighten the skin, but also have side effects.

Risks

• Any topical liquid or cream can cause skin irritation or allergic reaction. Hydroquinone, which comes in concentrations of 2 percent over-the-counter, but up to 4 percent in prescription form, may also cause a blue-black staining of the skin called ochronosis. Complete loss of pigment in the applied area can occur from use of a bleaching cream called monobenzyl ether, a derivative of hydroquinone. Steroid creams can cause stretch marks, thinning of the skin, or atypical fungal infections over time.

Time Frame

• Sun spots don't fade away immediately after you apply creams or lotions, even if you apply prescription medications. You may need to use a cream for several weeks or months before achieving the results you hope for. Use a sunscreen of at least 30 sun protection factor, or SPF, while using fading creams, MayoClinic.com recommends.