Unless you resort to wearing high neck tops year-round, hiding the evidence of sun damage from the past isn’t as easy as you may think. While no one wants to put a spotted chest on display for the world to see, these products and treatments make it that much easier to erase signs of aging and any stubborn discoloration.
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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
The chest can easily get red and spotty. But, luckily, there’s an easy fix. “I like to use IPL or a pulsed-dye laser to diffuse redness,” says Washington, D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD.
Hydroquinone
In some cases, the spots on the chest can be really difficult to treat, which is when you may need to up the ante and put prescription hydroquinone into play. “For persistent dark spots from inflammation, I would recommend the 4 percent hydroquinone sledgehammer,” says Montclair, NJ, dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD.
Exfoliate, and often
As Erica Parker, aesthetician at Michael Todd Beauty, points out, exfoliation is key in getting rid of spots. “Microdermabrasion and TCA peels are two services that are typically less expensive than most light-based treatment options. Paired with the right brightening skin care products, they both increase the rate of exfoliation quicker.”
Load up on vitamin C
Applying a vitamin C-rich serum or cream to photodamaged areas, like the chest, will help brighten the skin while also protecting it against future damage because vitamin C doubles as an antioxidant.
Wear sunscreen
No matter where you live, West Palm Beach, FL, dermatologist Kenneth R. Beer, MD, says you should always try to use SPF 50 on your chest. “And at night, apply retinol or Retin-A, too.”
