Is niacinamide effective for age spots?

In general, age spots refer to seborrheic keratosis. Niacinamide is an active form of vitamin B3, commonly available as niacinamide tablets or niacinamide injection. Whether niacinamide is effective for seborrheic keratosis depends on the specific circumstances. It may be helpful for mild cases, but may not work for severe cases. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Mild seborrheic keratosis is usually associated with pigmentation in the superficial layers of the skin. As an active form of vitamin B3, niacinamide can inhibit melanin production and promote skin cell renewal, thus providing some improvement.

Severe seborrheic keratosis may involve deeper skin changes, including skin aging and ultraviolet damage, which may exceed the scope of niacinamide's effects. In such cases, niacinamide may not penetrate deeply enough into the skin to be effective.

If removal of skin spots is desired, it is recommended to visit a reputable hospital and undergo laser treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Laser therapy uses specific broadband light to target pigmentation, breaking down stubborn pigment into smaller molecules to achieve the removal of age spots. The typical reference cost for laser treatment is 5,000–12,000 RMB per session. Improvement is generally noticeable within 5–10 days after the procedure, although side effects such as redness and pain may occur.