If you are above the age of 50 then you are more likely to get the age spots or liver spots as compared to your younger friends. These spots are usually brown or black color spots and they vary in size. You can get rid of these age spots by reducing excessive exposure to UV rays of sun and with the use of home remedies.
Age spots are harmless spots but sometimes get confused with cancer spots which can create unnecessary panic. Check with your doctor and get comfortable with the diagnosis of age spots.
The only reason you may like to remove age spots is cosmetic reason.These spots can certainly be lightened and in many cases completely removed with skin bleaching products and home made remedies.
But, before we get into home remedies for age spots let us first understand how these spots are formed, so that you can develop strategies to prevent further spots as well treat the current brown spots on your face or elsewhere in your skin.
What Cause Age Spots?
Ultraviolet or UV rays of sunshine are the main contributor of your age spots which makes certain areas of your skin darker than the rest.
These spots on the external layer of your skin are also a mechanism to protect the internal layers of skin getting damaged from the over exposure to UV radiation from Sun.
A pigment called melanin which gives color to your outer layer of skin (epidermis) is released in larger quantities in the area which gets excess UV exposure. This excessive melanin release turns the specific affected patch of skin to darker shades turning into brown or black spots.
The other cause of extra melanin release is use of commercial tanning lamps and beds which over a prolonged period cause brown or black spots.
Your doctor will do a visual infection and confirm that they are age spots. If there is any doubt then the doctor will suggest skin biopsy to rule out cancer.
Sometimes seborrheic keratosis can also show similar early symptoms which later turns into wart like or waxy appearance.
Home Remedies for Age Spots
There are a number of home remedies to provide lightening of age spots. Most of them require regular long term use. The lighting of age spots happens gradually and it depends on how dark your spots are.
1. Lemon
Lemon tops the list of all age spots remedies for skin lightening. It can either be used independently or with other items.
- Cut lemon into thin circular slices and rub directly on the dark spots.
- Leave it for 30 minutes
- Stay indoors away from direct sunlight
- Was your face with warm water and apply a moisturizing cream.
Do it daily until the spots disappear
Alternatively:
- Extract 1 Teaspoon of lemon juice
- Add two tablespoons of tomato juice and mix it well
- Apply on affected area
- Leave it for 30 minutes. Wash and apply moisturizing cream.
Lemon gives a song to the skin.Bear the sting it is well worth it
Within a few weeks you will begin to see the lightening of age spots. Continue until the dark spot disappears.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt is also a very powerful home remedy for dark age spots.
- Apply Yogurt directly on you skin or mix it with honey and apply
- Leave it for 30 minutes on the skin before washing it off.
Do it daily until your age spots disappear. Use moisturizing cream to protect your skin.
3. Pineapple
Pineapple also has mild bleaching capabilities due to the presence of an enzyme called bromelain.
- Cut a thick piece of pineapple and rub it on the affected skin area
- Leave it there for as long as you want but keep it for at least 30 minutes.
- Wash the skin area with water and apply Aloe Vera gel.
In addition to all the above 3 remedies there are a number of other items that can lighten your skin. Tomato, any citrus fruit, baking soda to name a few. Get hold of one item and be consistent.
What you need is regular application and patience. You should also reduce your sun exposure.