Age Spots on Face
Age spots add to the long list of troubles and concerns that you face once you hit your 40s. Age spots are those dark spots on your skin that pop up usually after the age of 40, although there may be cases where they can show up at an earlier age. These unsightly spots make you look older than you really are, exacerbated by other nuisances such as wrinkles and crow’s feet.
The good news is that age spots are completely harmless. But
nevertheless, they still cause enough trouble for you to be conscious about
your looks. Luckily, you can choose from home remedies, over-the-counter
medications and various treatments when trying to remove age spots. Keep
reading to find out how to get rid of age spots naturally at home.
What Causes Age Spots?
Despite its name, age spots are not only a result of aging. The
primary cause of age pots is accumulated sun damage. If you are frequently
exposed to the sun, your skin produces melanin to protect it from the harmful
ultraviolet rays. Too much melanin, though, leads to age spots. Also called
liver spots or sun spots, these marks can also be due to genetics. Some people
are genetically predisposed to develop age spots. Those with fair skin are also
more likely to suffer from age spots because of extra melanin production.
How to Get Rid of Age Spots on Face
1. Use lemon juice.
The acidic nature of lemon juice helps lighten age spots. It is
even used to remove freckles. Apply lemon juice to your age spots twice a day
to lighten their appearance.
2. Try honey and yogurt.
You can make a natural bleach by mixing honey and yogurt. Just
combine 1 tsp. each of honey and yogurt then apply it to your age spots. Let it
dry then rinse thoroughly with water. Do this once daily.
3. Use over-the-counter medications.
There are a lot of OTC medications that will help you get rid of
age spots. Choose one that contains hydroquinone, kojic acid or glycolic acid.
Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that is scientifically proven to be safe for
skin use.
4. Wear sunscreen.
As mentioned earlier, the main cause of age spots is sun damage.
You may not notice it right away but too much sun exposure will eventually show
its effects on your skin as you age. It is a must that you protect yourself
from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Wear sunscreen with at least SPF
15 before you go outside.
5. Medical treatments.
If you are willing to spend money to get rid of age spots on
your face, you can try various medical treatments. Some of the common options
are chemical peel, dermabrasion and laser treatment. Chemical peel involves the
use of certain acids to remove the outermost layer of the skin. This helps
promote skin regeneration and allow a new and healthy layer to surface.
Dermabrasion involves the use of a rotating brush to sand off the outer layer
of skin. Finally, laser therapy uses various types of lasers to remove
accumulated melanin. This may require multiple treatments to see the effects.
How to Prevent Age Spots
·
Avoid
sun exposure. This is the most
obvious way to prevent sun spots but you can always use a quick reminder. As
much as possible, avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s
rays are at its most intense.
·
Wear
protective clothing. Of course, it is
difficult to completely avoid sun exposure. But during times when you need to
head outside and have direct contact with the harmful rays of the sun, make
sure you wear protective clothing and gears such as long-sleeved shirt,
sunglasses and umbrella.
·
Always
wear sunscreen. If you think
that applying sunscreen once makes you safe from sun damage, think again.
Generally, you need to reapply sunscreen every two hours. This will ensure that
you have protection from the sun and help you avoid age spots and other skin
diseases.
Remember that you need to be consistent at doing the steps above
to get rid of brown spots on your face. And to be on the safe side, consult
your doctor and have your age spots checked. In some cases, what’s thought to
be just an age spot is actually melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
