No one likes being welcomed into middle age by age spots. They seem to be that one sign of aging that you just can’t hide. When you’re getting up there in years, taking care of your skin is just as important as taking care of your health.
Age spots, also called liver spots or solar lentigines, are tan or brown spots on the skin that result from hyperpigmentation of the skin due to excessive sun exposure. Their appearance is usually restricted to areas normally prone to sun exposure like your hands, face, neck, shoulders and arms.
While age spots are more common in people over age 50, you can start getting them once you cross into your 40s. Younger people who get too much sun exposure can also have age spots. While those with dark skin can develop age spots, fair-skinned people are more vulnerable.
Causes of Age Spots
- Age spots appear due to years of excessive sun exposure. The UV radiation from excessive sun exposure accelerates melanin production in the skin, giving rise to hyperpigmentation that manifests as age spots.
- Sun exposure is not the only source of UV radiation to the skin. Tanning beds and lamps are also sources of UV radiation and can contribute to the appearance of age spots. Even spray on tans can worsen the appearance of your age spots.
- Fair-skinned people are more prone to developing age spots. Fair skin has to produce more melanin to protect the skin against UV rays.
How to Prevent Age Spots
- Avoid excessive sun exposure at all costs, especially between 10:00 am to 3:00 pm as sun rays are the strongest at this time of the day.
- Invest in a good quality broad spectrum sunscreen. Apply a fresh coating of sunscreen about 20 to 30 minutes before venturing out in the sun. When spending the day out in the sun, reapply the sunscreen every two hours at the very least. Reapply every hour if swimming or sweating it out in the sun.
- Wear broad-brimmed hats, full sleeves and pants whenever staying out in the sun. Apply either a lip balm or lipstick with an SPF of 15 to 30 when out in sun.
- Avoid tanning beds as well as spray on tan at all costs as these alternatives also contribute to the appearance of the age spots.
Age spots are harmless and don’t require treatment. But you may want to treat them purely for cosmetic purposes, as no one likes to live with such unsightly marks on their skin. You can’t get rid of age spots permanently, but you can keep them in check and restore your skin’s youthful look.
From expensive laser treatments to prescriptions for a variety of skin serums, there are many options for skin beautification today. While regular use of expensive skin creams will definitely burn a hole in your pocket, switching to natural remedies will not only prove to be cost-effective but also convenient and free of any side effects.
Here are five simple home remedies to remove age spots naturally.
How to Fade Age Spots
Method 1: Use Lemon
Lemon is a natural bleach and skin-lightening agent due to its acidic properties. It slowly removes the darkened skin cells and evens out the skin tone of the
Things you’ll need:
Single-Step Treatment: Apply lemon juice on age spots for 10 min
- Apply the lemon juice over the age spots on your skin.
- Let it remain for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Finish with a good-quality moisturizer.
This remedy should be used once a day for 6 to 8 weeks for good results.
Method 2: Use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar (ACV), a common household item, can easily be used to treat age spots. Organic, raw and unfiltered ACV is a better choice than the processed version. The former contains the ‘mother’ of the apple, which appears like a cloudy sediment in the ACV and is the source of its goodness.
ACV contains alpha hydroxy acids, which are the active ingredient in many commercial creams and serums. It helps slough off the darkened skin cells and aids in skin renewal. Regular use of ACV can even prove beneficial against wrinkles and can slow down the aging of the skin.
Things you’ll need:
- Apple cider vinegar (aids in skin renewal)
- Honey (natural moisturizer)
Step 1. Combine ACV, water and honey
- Dilute the ACV with an equal amount of water.
- Add in an equal amount of honey as well.
Step 2. Mix the solution and apply it once a day
- Mix the contents of the bowl thoroughly.
- Dip a cotton ball into the solution and apply it over the age spots.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off with plain water.
Repeat this remedy once a day until your age spots fade away.
Method 3: Use Castor Oil
If your age spots have a rough texture, the healing properties of castor oil can prove to be especially beneficial for you. Regularly massaging with castor oil can reduce the appearance of age spots on your skin. As a bonus, castor oil is also a remedy for sagging skin if used for a long period of time.
Single-Step Treatment: Massage the dark spots with castor oil twice a day
- Dip a clean cotton ball into castor oil and dab it onto your age spots. You may also apply it directly with your fingers.
- If the age spots have a rough texture, massage the oil over the skin with the age spots.
Repeat twice a day for at least 1 month for noticeable results.
Method 4: Use Aloe Vera
Those with super sensitive skin who can’t just blindly follow any remedy will find great results using aloe vera to remove age spots. Aloe vera has long been known for its great healing and skin-lightening properties. It’s very mild and gentle and can be used on any skin type.
Fresh aloe vera gel is the best and keeping an aloe vera plant alive is very easy. But if you’re unable to get your hands on fresh aloe vera gel, you can easily get it from health or beauty stores.
Things you’ll need:
Single-Step Treatment: Apply fresh aloe vera gel daily
- Let it remain for 15 to 30 minutes before washing it off with plain water.
Repeat this remedy daily for 6 to 8 weeks for a noticeable change in your skin and the appearance of the age spots.
Method 5: Use Buttermilk
The lactic acid present in buttermilk can help exfoliate the pigmented skin and lighten your age spots. It’s an all-natural ingredient that you can use to reduce age spots and even out your skin tone.
Using buttermilk in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide can deliver even better results. Hydrogen peroxide is an active ingredient in many skin-lightening creams.
Things you’ll need:
- Buttermilk (lightens skin)
- Hydrogen peroxide, 3% (acts as a bleaching agent)
Step 1. Mix buttermilk and hydrogen peroxide
- Pour some buttermilk into a small bowl.
- Dilute it with an equal amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Step 2. Mix the solution well & apply it once a day
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Apply the solution over the area of your skin that has age spots.
- Allow it to work for about 15 minutes before washing it off with plain water.
Repeat this remedy once a day for about 6 weeks to get the desired results.
Tips
- Cover your skin with heavy-duty sunscreen after using lemon on it, as lemon makes the skin photo-sensitive.
- If your skin feels too sensitive for pure lemon juice, you can dilute it with rose water. Using it with honey can also counter the potential dryness in the skin caused by the lemon.
- These remedies are best done at night before bed. This will allow you to avoid sun exposure for 8 to 12 hours, giving you better results.
- Aloe vera can be left on the skin overnight for better results. Wash it off when you get up in the morning.
- One precaution that you can take to prevent new age spots is to stay clear of tanning beds and avoid excess sun exposure.
Summary of How to Lighten Age Spots
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