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Dr. K mentioned applying coconut oil topically for age spots...anyone ever have any results doing this?

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I had no luck. See below. – Katherine May 7 2011 at 20:07
I don't know about coconut oil for age spots, but I have been using emu oil on my face for over five years and I think it really helps, but it would take time. I think the ones I have are much lighter. – Lisa May 8 2011 at 18:34

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For a couple of years, I did try topical coconut oil in hopes of lightening solar lentigo (solar lentigines, sun spots, hyperpigmentation). No luck at all but my mediterranean heritage means I am particularly prone to hyperpigmentation. To get rid of what I had and to keep it at bay has required:

1)high ppd european sunscreen with both tinosorbs (bioderma anti-age 30 or avene creme 50+ with a drop of bioderma tinted 50+) applied at proper use rates even in the winter and even when my exposure is incidental. Remember UVA penetrates glass very well. I live in Atlanta which iirc is approx 33 or 34 degrees N.

2)hat/visor with 5" brim

3)rx retinoids (tazorac in my case) applied daily - or to tolerance. depending on the season, climate and humidity my range is full daily dose (pea size applied every night) to short contact therapy every other day (ie applying retinoid then rinsing off after 30-120 seconds)

4)ascorbic acid serum daily - cosmetic skin solutions CE ferulic (more hydrating) or pure skin formulations Vitamin C serum (less hydrating) are good options for purchase though I now make my own: http://www.cafepress.com/biochem.30393410

I wish I had close up pictures of me at 35 so we could compare the difference to my current skintone at 41. At this point, tone is much more even, solar lentigo and the 'fine lines' kind of photodamage were dramatically reduced. Erythema (redness), which is often simply a result of sundamage, was eliminated. Yes, there are ways in which my facial aging has marched forward but in many ways it's also better than it was six years ago. Currently available photographic evidence:D

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1565555534882.2080440.1115202741&l=90729d6b7a

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I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on sunscreen when not trying to improve skin/reduce pigmentation (I'm 15). I spend 6 or so hours outside during the summer playing tennis, and I was going to try to tan this year so I would eventually not need any sunscreen at all. I'm quite pale though. Should I be using sunscreen religiously? The physical sunscreens are very expensive. – mari May 8 2011 at 0:51
Because photoaging (sundamate) is a very real, cumulative issue, I tend to recommend the most highly UVA protective s/s available for face, neck and chest. Neutrogena sensitive skin is a physical block and not terribly expensive, though my facial skin doesn't love it - it's very whitening and drying for me. My 12 yo likes it though - she mixes a drop of my foundation with it (in her palm) to tint it to an appropriate skin shade. The euro s/s with both tinosorbs offer better protection across the UVA spectrum than does even zinc given the same SPF so that's what I use. – Katherine May 8 2011 at 1:01
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Nope. All it did was rip my face to shreds with cystic acne. I use it on my body, on my hair and of course I eat it but this stuff goes nowhere near my face ever again.

I agree with Katherine that the tried and true way is an effective sunscreen, a Rx retinoid and an well-formulated vitamin C serum.

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Yes......for many patients. Works nice for actinic keratosis.

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2 
 I have a question for you, Dr. K. Do you know a good source of evidence/proof that sunscreen is more damaging than the occasional sunburn? Or am I wrong on this? My mother harangues me about not putting it on my toddler when we go out, though she tans well and burns only a couple times a year. – Sara May 5 2011 at 1:33
What about for garden variety liver spots, Dr. K? I used coconut oil on my face (where I have melasma). It made me break out a little, so I stopped. I have liver spots on my forearms. Any chance it could help? I'd reaaaallly like to see all my pigmentation issue gone. – Glither May 5 2011 at 12:38
...yes that was the question Glither, I wish he had answered it instead of the response he gave. – Richard N May 5 2011 at 14:22
aolnews.com/2010/05/24/… The FDA study was presented at the dermatological meeting in 2010 and caused quite a stir. Many deems dismissed it and others are now rethinking their position. My opinion is if your cellular environment is disturbed then anything that causes further disturbance can push oncogenesis button. My belief is that the sunscreen drops vit d skin production and down regulates the immune system. Vit d activates T cells. That is why we clinically see higher melanoma rates in sunscreen users. – The Quilt May 5 2011 at 15:18
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 Coconut oil helps all skin problems......use it liberally – The Quilt May 5 2011 at 15:19
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i am pregnant and have used coconut oil for those pesky skin discolorations you get during pregnancy. coconut oil seems to be a miracle skin healer (at least for me). I even used it as a moisturizer for my sunburn I got this past week and it worked wonders.

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