Age spots, lentigines, sun spots, liver spots – no matter what you call them, these dark splotches on the skin isn’t exactly a welcome addition to our skin’s appearance. Along with wrinkles, blemishes, and rough skin, age spots occur with aging and can range in size from small freckles to circles and can be brown, black or even grey.

While not so dangerous, it definitely cannot be overlooked. With the right care, it is possible to avoid age spots. If they have already appeared on the face, don’t lose hope, there are natural ways to get rid of them.

 

What are Age Spots?

The term age spots is a kind of a misnomer since these brown circular areas that are commonly present on the backs of hands and also on the neck, face and shoulders occur due to several reasons.

Largely caused by sun exposure over time, the harmful UV rays of the sun leads to the excess deposit of melanin pigment in the skin which eventually leads to age spots.

It’s more common for people in their late fourth and early fifth decade of life to have this skin problem. But, at times it can also occur as early as the late 20s or 30s on someone who has a significant sun exposure.

Age spots are also referred to as liver spots signifying an impaired liver function. As you age, your metabolism tends to change and the liver may be so overloaded with the toxin build-up that is unable to effectively get rid of them. Poor nutrition and diet are also to be blamed for an improper live detox function. As a result, it manifests on the skin as spots.

Natural Remedies to Prevent and Reduce Age Spots

Age spots form and accumulate over several years, hence removal can also take a long time. As opposed to over-the-counter medications and harmful chemical formulations that come with side-effects, these natural remedies will work after continuous application for a few months. Slow and steady is any day better than fast results that tend to reappear again and are more expensive.

Lemon Juice

Lemon contains citric acid which is a natural bleaching agent and therefore it can help to lighten up those spots. You can take half a slice of lemon and rub it on the spots for 10-15 minutes twice a day daily and wash it water. Or else make a paste of turmeric and lemon juice, apply them on the spots, keep it on for 30 minutes and wash it off.

You should not go outdoors immediately after applying lemon juice on your skin as it increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Follow the procedure for a couple of months to see results.

Aloe Vera

This juicy plant does wonder for the skin and is a great healing agent. You can rub aloe vera juice on the spots and wash it water after 30 minutes. For noticeable results, you may need to do this daily for a month.

 Buttermilk

The lactic acid present in the buttermilk will make your skin lighter fading off the spots. Used for generations as a skin cleaner, you can apply buttermilk on your face, keep it on and then wash it off with water.

Manjishta Root

This natural herb heals inflammation and provides skin with an even tone and smoothness. You can add a teaspoon of the powder to warm water and drink it up. You can also make it as a paste along with honey to apply on the spots.

Other Natural Formulations

Apple cider vinegar contains sulfur and also has high acid content making it an excellent skin exfoliation. Dab some on your age spots, leave it on for some time and wash it off. Other applications such as castor oil, raw papaya and pineapple pulp contain potent enzymes that can accelerate skin exfoliation.

Healthy Diet

Encourage your liver to detox naturally by consuming a diet rich in beta carotene, antioxidants, Vitamin E and essential nutrients of Fibre, healthy fats and protein. Avoid refined sugar, caffeine, processed food, and fried foods. Include fresh fruits and vegetables instead and drink plenty of water.

Shun the Sun

During peak hours, it’s best to avoid sunlight and stay indoors. If you have to go outdoors, apply sunscreen to stay protected from the harmful ultra-violet radiation of the sun that can induce age spots over time.

A lot of sunscreen products available in the market contain toxic ingredients or endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can actually trigger toxins inside the body and lead to estrogen dominance. Opt for natural sunscreens that have organic ingredients such as almond oil, coconut oil, zinc oxide, shea butter, carrot seed oil, olive oil or raspberry seed oil.

You should also park yourself under an umbrella and wear loose and light-colored clothing during the summers.

Balance your Hormones

A hormone imbalance in the system -especially excessive estrogen relative to progesterone levels in women can increase age spot formation. Synthetic hormones in pills, cosmetic products, food, protein deficiency, and poor liver detoxification all contribute to increases in estrogen levels.

Prevent and reduce the appearance of age spots with these natural remedies to follow a safe approach.