Check out our list of popular and natural remedies to get rid of age spots. Find out what the causes and treatment options are for these common discolored skin spots.
Age spots are the flat, brown or black skin spots that are a common appearance on the arms, back and face of people who are over the age of 40. This is probably why it's called age spots. Light skin people are at a higher risk of developing age spots. Younger people may also develop liver spots due to heredity.
Regular use of tanning lamps or tanning beds may also cause age spots.
Age spots or liver spots and known medically as solar lentigines are signs that the skin was once regularly exposed to the sun without skin protection. Even though it is also called liver spots, it has nothing to do with the liver or liver disease. Age spots are caused by over production of melanin or the pigment in the epidermis when the skin is exposed to the sun. It does this to protect the deeper layers of the skin and after some time, the pigmentation will gradually show up.
These skin spots are harmless and aren't painful. But they do affect appearance especially when they show up on the face. You need only be concerned if the skin spots show rapid changes in size, have unusual or uneven color and are irregular in shape because those are the early signs of melanoma or skin cancer.
Cosmetic treatments to remove age spots include chemical peel, dermabrasion, freezing and laser therapy. Cheaper methods to get rid of age spots include the use of over the counter bleaching cream and natural remedies such as herbal extracts that contain glycolic acid, hydroquinone
and salicylic acid. Using home remedies to get rid of age spots requires consistent application and will take a long time to fade compared to cosmetic treatments.
On top of the list of natural remedies to get rid of age spots is uva ursi or bearberry which is the leaf extract of uva ursi shrubs. Scientific studies found that uva ursi contains hydroquinone. Many bleaching cream use 2% of it as an ingredient because it is believed that hydroquinone is effective in fading aging spots, even skin tone and reduces the overproduction of melanin.
Glycolic acid gel peel and glycolic cream are two of the popular home treatments to get rid of age spots as well as improving fine lines and wrinkles and acne. Some species of sugar cane contains this acid and this is one of the reasons why some people use white cane sugar blended with lemon juice and avocado oil or aloe vera gel for liver spots removal.
When glycolic acid is applied on the skin, it will penetrate deep inside and will stimulate collagen formation. This will result in the fading of discoloration and even skin tone.
Researchers discovered that the active ingredient called sterolins in avocado oil has the potential to reduce age spots and maintain the moisture of the skin. Avocado oil has the ability to improve collagen production and this is especially helpful for aging skin.
Castor oil which is the extract from castor beans is another alternative that you can use to get rid of age spots. This herbal extract has many healing properties and is used as treatment for various conditions and diseases.
If you are taking birth control pills, try to stop using it and notice if it helps remove the liver spots.
To prevent age spots or its reappearance once you have them removed, avoid direct UV ray especially between 10am to 4 pm. If you must go out, protect your skin by applying sunscreen with SPF 30. And try to wear clothes that protect your skin especially your arms, back and legs.
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