Brown spots on the skin can be caused by excess sweat, oil, or too much time exposed to the sun. If your skin is in the sun for too long, UV rays damage the collagen and elastin inside your skin. This makes your skin rough to the touch and gives melanin free range to build up in your skin. An increase of melanin in your skin causes those dark brown spots. Though most people don't get brown spots on their skin until they're over 50, if you stay in the sun for too long, your skin ages much faster and you develop more brown spots. You can treat the dark spots on your skin by cleaning your skin the right way, avoiding the sun and taking the right vitamins.
Exfoliating
Exfoliating, or rubbing your skin vigorously, is a natural way to get rid of the dead cells on the top layer of your skin. The dead skin cells contain most of the pigmentation that makes your skin dark. Buy an exfoliating tool at almost any drug store and rub the area around your dark spots while in the shower. You can also get a microdermabrasion procedure from your dermatologist. During microdermabrasion, a vacuum scrubs aluminum oxide crystals across your skin. This removes the first layer of your skin and greatly reduces the appearance of brown spots. Dr. Nissan Pileset of Total Dermatology says discomfort is minimal and you can resume normal activities right away.
Staying out of the Sun
Staying in the sun for long periods and subjecting your skin to UV rays is the most damaging thing you can do to your skin. It's the leading cause of brown spots. Wear a sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 15 whenever you're in the sun. AcneNet dermatologists recommend applying the sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. Apply it several times a day. It's also wise to cover up as much of your skin as you can when in the sun. Sunglasses and a hat are also a good idea.
Lemon Juice
The Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine says you should use a cotton ball filled with lemon juice to treat dark spots on your skin. Lemon juice is a natural way to fade the brown spots. Rub a lemon juice-filled cotton ball around the areas of skin with brown spots. Don't try to bleach your skin. Lemon juice is a natural bleacher that lightens the skin without damaging it.
Skin Creams
There are quite a few relatively inexpensive over-the-counter skin creams to treat brown spots. Dermatologists on AcneNet say to make sure the skin cream contains vitamin C, at least 2 percent hydroquinone, and an antioxidant called retinol. If you need a stronger dose of medicine, your dermatologist can prescribe a medication like Retin-A. Retin-A treats the dark spots on your skin by stimulating new cells to grow in the damaged, dark spots.
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