Dark spots, also called liver spots or age spots, are most likely to appear on portions of the body exposed to direct sunlight, according to Medline Plus, an online medical encyclopedia from the National Institutes of Health. The spots may range in color from light brown to black, and are flat and painless. While harmless, these dark spots are unsightly and may cause embarrassment. Conventional treatments include laser therapy and topical medications, but some home remedies may also help fade the spots.
Fading
The juice from a fresh lemon may lighten the dark spots when applied full strength to the skin. MotherNature.com recommends dipping a cotton ball in lemon juice and rubbing it on the spot twice a day. You should see results within eight weeks. The juice from a red onion may also reduce dark spots.
HealthGuidance.org suggests applying aloe vera juice, buttermilk or the white sap from a dandelion stem to fade darkened skin. Other topical home remedies include mixing two parts of apple cider vinegar with one part of orange juice and applying to the spots. Another approach is to mix one part of fresh lemon juice with one part of vinegar and two parts of grated fresh horseradish, and dab the solution on the spots twice daily.
Exfoliation
Removing the top layer of dead skin cells may speed the fading process by allowing the skin-lightening solutions to target new, fresh skin cells, reports MotherNature.com.
Make an exfoliating skin scrub by combining sea salt, table salt or sugar with olive oil or jojoba oil to form a paste. Gently massage the mixture in a circular motion over your skin to remove the dead skin cells.
Prevention
Liver spots may return quickly if skin with exposure to direct sun. To prevent a recurrence, wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants and a wide-brim hat to protect your skin. Do yard work in the morning or evening to avoid the harshest midday rays. Applying sunblock may also help.
See your doctor if your spots are very dark or if they contain more than one color shade. Spots that are growing in size are also a concern, reports the Mayo Clinic.
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